Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
The Small Back Room
After the lavish Technicolor spectacle of The Red Shoes, British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger retreated into the inward, shadowy recesses of this moody, crackling character study. Based on the acclaimed novel by Nigel Balchin, The Small Back Room details the professional and personal travails of troubled, alcoholic research scientist and military bomb-disposal expert Sammy Rice (David Farrar), who, while struggling with a complex relationship with secretary girlfriend Susan (Kathleen Byron), is hired by the government to advise on a dangerous new German weapon. Deftly mixing suspense and romance, The Small Back Room is an atmospheric, post–World War II gem.
Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary featuring film scholar Charles Barr
- New video interview with cinematographer Christopher Challis
- Excerpts from Michael Powell’s audio dictations for his autobiography
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: A new essay by film critic Nick James
New cover by Sarah Habibi
Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary featuring film scholar Charles Barr
- New video interview with cinematographer Christopher Challis
- Excerpts from Michael Powell’s audio dictations for his autobiography
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: A new essay by film critic Nick James
New cover by Sarah Habibi
Cast
- David Farrar
- Sammy
- Kathleen Byron
- Susan
- Jack Hawkins
- Waring
- Michael Gough
- Stuart
- Cyril Cusack
- Taylor
- Robert Morley
- The minister
Credits
- Director
- Michael Powell
- Written, produced, and directed by
- Michael Powell
- Based on the novel by
- Nigel Balchin
- Written, produced, and directed by
- Emeric Pressburger
- Supervising film editor
- Reginald Mills
- Production design
- Hein Heckroth
- Art director
- John Hoesli
- Sound
- Alan Allen
- Camera
- Freddie Francis
- Editing
- Clifford Turner
- Music
- Brian Easdale
- Cinematography
- Christopher Challis
- Director
- Emeric Pressburger
