
Directing
Michael Powell
Born — Died
1905-09-30 — 1990-02-19
Place of birth
Bekesbourne, Kent, England
Known for
Directing
Credits
72 titles
Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was a renowned English film director, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. They worked together under the name of "The Archers" and produced a series of classic British films, notably The Thief of Bagdad (1940), 49th Parallel (1941), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946, also called Stairway to Heaven), Black Narcissus (1947) and The Red Shoes (1948). His controversial 1960 film Peeping Tom, however, was so vilified that his career was seriously damaged.
Known for
5.6The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
The South Bank Show
1978
7.4Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Peeping Tom
1960
8.0A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.
The Red Shoes
1948
7.7A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.
A Matter of Life and Death
1946
7.5A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Black Narcissus
1947
7.1When Prince Ahmad is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar, he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess.
The Thief of Bagdad
1940
Film credits
2010s · 3 titles
6.6In 2001 Jack Cardiff (1914-2009) became the first director of photography in the history of the Academy Awards to win an Honorary Oscar. But the first time he clasped the famous statuette in his hand was a half-century earlier when his Technicolor camerawork was awarded for Powell and Pressburger's Black Narcissus. Beyond John Huston's The African Queen and King Vidor's War and Peace, the films of the British-Hungarian creative duo (The Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death too) guaranteed immortality for the renowned cameraman whose career spanned seventy years.
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
2010
7.3Winston Churchill understood the power of films, but the true extent of his use of cinema as a propaganda tool is rarely explored. In 1934, one of Britain's most celebrated film producers, Alexander Korda, signed Churchill up as a screenwriter and historical advisor. It was the start of a unique collaboration. Churchill provided script notes for Korda's productions and penned an epic screenplay. When war broke out, their collaboration took on national importance. Korda was sent on a mission to Hollywood to help bring America into the war, with positive results. With access to previously undiscovered documents, this film documentary examines that mission and a friendship that underpinned a unique, creative partnership.
Churchill and the Movie Mogul
2019
Thelma Schoonmaker on Martin Scorsese and 'The King of Comedy'
Inside Rupert Pupkin
2014
1990s · 2 titles
8.0Amazing documentary shows rarely seen side of a master director. 1990 was a very good year for Martin Scorsese. After making a diverse group of films in the 80s, he reunited with Robert DeNiro for "Goodfellas" and later that year shot a segment for "New York Stories", an anthology film of three shorts by Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Francis Ford Coppola. During the editing, the French documentary series "Cinéma, de notre temps" filmed a documentary on the director, and it's a fascinating glimpse into his life, personality, and working habits as he edits his short with long-time collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker.
The Scorsese Machine
1990
8.0A documentary film examining Michael Powell's 1960 film "Peeping Tom," the controversy surrounding its release, and the life of its screenwriter, Leo Marks.
A Very British Psycho
1997
1980s · 6 titles
After starting his career producing religious film shorts, J. Arthur Rank went on to become Britain's first and only movie mogul with his establishment of the legendary Pinewood Studios. Narrated by Michael Caine, THE GOLDEN GONG chronicles Pinewood's rise to success.
The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio
1985
NRDetailed interview with Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger looking back at their long career as influential British film-makers and their unusual partnership. Includes clips from many of their films.
A Pretty British Affair
1981
NRIn June 1980, Michael Powell came to Dartmouth as an artist in residence, developing and producing a fifteen-minute pilot film with the students based on Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy.
Picture Business: Michael Powell at Dartmouth
1980
Why do we cry? Can men cry too? When are tears acceptable and when are they not?
Tears
1986
Examines laughter, its representation in film and its day to day function. Well known people from various backgrounds discuss the issue and what it means to them.
Laughter
1986
People who have experienced fear - those involved in the peace movement, a child, a politian and a film director - discuss the psychological and physical aspects of this emotion.
Fear
1986
1940s · 3 titles
6.6During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
1942
A Royal Air Force (RAF) airman who dies during a mission has left a letter to be sent to his mother upon his death.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother
1941
5.0After a masterful Shakespearean performance in a London theater, Ralph Richardson is sought for an autograph by Fred, his dresser. Later, Fred has joined the Fleet Air Arm (Fly Navy) and become a hero, rescuing a pilot from his burning plane. When Fred arrives at Buckingham Palace, it's Ralph's turn to ask for an autograph.
The Volunteer
1944
1930s · 2 titles
7.2A way of life is dying on a remote Scottish island, but some of the inhabitants resist evacuating to the mainland.
The Edge of the World
1937
6.0Jerry Mason inherits the Hotel Splendide at Speymouth but is disappointed when he sees it is a quiet place with few permanent residents. Gentleman Charlie, a jewel thief arrives after a long spell in prison expecting to be able to dig up the pearls he had buried - only to find the hotel has been built on the site.
Hotel Splendide
1932
1920s · 10 titles
10.0Father Adrien had taken the vows of eternal silence, prayer and, of course, celibacy, when he entered the Trappist Monastry of Notre Dame d'Afrique in Algeria. One day, he chopped down a tree that blocked a part of the Monastery wall, but as it fell it knocked a young girl senseless. As Father Adrien bathes her face she regains consciousness and in a mischievous mood embraces him. The embrace was seen by another monk but the Monastic discipline imposed is as nothing compared to the torturing penances of mind and body which the contrite Father Adrien has imposed upon himself. In the end it is all too much for poor Father Adrien and he abandons his vows and escapes into the desert, resuming his secular name Androvsky. On the way to the oasis of Beni-Mora he encounters Domini Enfilden who has been brought up as a Catholic. Androvsky rescues Domini from a rioting crowd and she finds herself deeply attracted to him.
The Garden of Allah
1927
The tourists set off for the Mountains of the Alpes Maritimes, visit the medieval hilltop of Tourette, and play in the snow.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 9: Cold Feats
1927
The tourists travel on to Grasse, the perfume factory, and the valley of the Wolves.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 11: Scents and Nonsense
1927
Concerning the adventures of a party of tourists on their journey from Cannes to visit the Islands of Lérins.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 1: Spooky Islands
1927
6.1A young woman, Margaret Dauncey, is caught between the forces of a charlatan magician, Oliver Haddo, whom she is unable to resist, and the love of a handsome surgeon, Arthur Burdon, who has saved her from being a helpless cripple by performing a delicate operation on her spine.
The Magician
1926
The tarvelling party inluding Cicero Simps (Michael Powell) move to St. Paul de vence and la Colombe d'Or ans showcases a dreamcase in which he dreams he's a faun.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 10: Fauny Business
1927
The further adventures of the group of tourists on a trip around the French Riviera. From Cannes they travel to Juan les Pins, the Grimaldi Chateau in Monaco, Port-carre, Antibes and the pottery makers of Biot. A love interest developes between Ophelia Beetle and Apollo Naris, an Englishman, while the Arab Sheik, Abdrool Krimp is vamped by Mme. Papillon.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 2: A Nasty Jar
1927
The tour comes to an end and the party returns to Cannes. The sheik's disguise is dropped and he disappears with all of Mme. Papilion's belongings. The party boards a train and leave Cannes.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 12
1927
The tourist group are in Monte Carlo, where Mdm Papillion wins a fortune.
Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 6
1927
8.0A recently engaged girl invites her parents to meet her fiance. They learn that he also loves another woman.
The Compulsory Husband
1929
Series credits
Behind the camera
7.4Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Peeping Tom
1960
7.4Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Peeping Tom
1960
8.0A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.
The Red Shoes
1948
8.0A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.
The Red Shoes
1948
8.0A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.
The Red Shoes
1948
7.7A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.
A Matter of Life and Death
1946
7.7A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.
A Matter of Life and Death
1946
7.7A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.
A Matter of Life and Death
1946
7.5A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Black Narcissus
1947
7.5A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Black Narcissus
1947
7.5A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Black Narcissus
1947
7.1When Prince Ahmad is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar, he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess.
The Thief of Bagdad
1940
6.9Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.
A Canterbury Tale
1944
6.9Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.
A Canterbury Tale
1944
6.9Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.
A Canterbury Tale
1944
7.0In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.
49th Parallel
1941
7.0In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.
49th Parallel
1941
6.4In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.
The Battle of the River Plate
1956
6.4In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.
The Battle of the River Plate
1956
6.4In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.
The Battle of the River Plate
1956
6.6During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
1942
6.6During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
1942
6.6During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.
One of Our Aircraft Is Missing
1942
6.1Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.
Oh... Rosalinda!!
1955
6.1Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.
Oh... Rosalinda!!
1955
6.1Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.
Oh... Rosalinda!!
1955
7.1A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.
The Tales of Hoffmann
1951
7.1A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.
The Tales of Hoffmann
1951
7.1A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.
The Tales of Hoffmann
1951
6.0An elderly artist thinks he has become too stale and is past his prime. His friend (and agent) persuades him to go to an offshore island to try once more. On the island he re-discovers his muse in the form of a young girl.
Age of Consent
1969
6.0An elderly artist thinks he has become too stale and is past his prime. His friend (and agent) persuades him to go to an offshore island to try once more. On the island he re-discovers his muse in the form of a young girl.
Age of Consent
1969
6.2Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.
Gone to Earth
1950
6.2Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.
Gone to Earth
1950
6.2Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.
Gone to Earth
1950
7.5General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
1943
7.5General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
1943
7.5General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
1943
7.1Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.
I Know Where I'm Going!
1945
7.1Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.
I Know Where I'm Going!
1945
7.1Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.
I Know Where I'm Going!
1945




