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One of the lesser-known Powell and Pressburger collaborations. During the Second World War, scientist Sammy Rice (David Farrar) works at a British research unit set up to solve the enemy's methods of attack. Embittered after losing a foot in a bomb blast, Sammy is increasingly seeking solace in drink. However, a budding romance with his secretary, Susan (Kathleen Byron), and the challenge of analysing a new German bomb provide him with a new sense of meaning.
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78 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
'The Small Back Room' is one of those films which I come back to with pleasure at least once a year. It captures the feel and mood of war-time London so effectively. It is based on a Nigel Balchin novel, first published in 1943, about the work of back room 'boffins' in war-time London. It tells the story of an embittered bomb disposal expert, Sammy Rice, who is part of an important research team, and his challenge with a booby-trapped bomb, set against the background of a turbulent love affair and a conflict of loyalties within a Government Department. The war time atmosphere, with its blackout, dismal lighting, servicemen in uniform and crowded bars, is carefully depicted in one of Michael Powell's last films to be shot in black and white. The gripping story reaches its memorable climax in a tense, nail biting conclusion, played out on the long shingle beach at Chesil Bank in Dorset. It is a film to savour in front of a good fire with a glass of malt whisky. Here's to you Sammy Rice.
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For those thinking about buying this movie: do. It is a terrific adaptation of Nigel Balchin's superb wartime thriller of the same name. Once again Powell and Pressburger manage to provide magnificent screenplay and cinematography (even if the dvd has yet to be a "restored" version) whilst keeping the essence of the original story. The critism of the wartime system for weapon devlopment is superb and shows graphically how "the old boy net" and interdepartmental rivalry was waged - often to the detriment of the service personnel who had to use their "pet" weapons. The voice of the experienced officer calling for weapons that could be used effectively in the field by the average soldier in a meeting where external drilling noise and the mutterings of the various members is a classic moment.
David Farrah is superb and this film has the added bonus of Kathleen Byron, arguably the most attractive British actress of her generation. The casting of Jack Hawkins as a dynamic, cut throat and ghastly head of section is another piece of P&P magic.
In short, a not to be missed British Film with some genuinely black and thrilling moments performed by a great cast.
An excellent film.
David Farrah is superb and this film has the added bonus of Kathleen Byron, arguably the most attractive British actress of her generation. The casting of Jack Hawkins as a dynamic, cut throat and ghastly head of section is another piece of P&P magic.
In short, a not to be missed British Film with some genuinely black and thrilling moments performed by a great cast.
An excellent film.
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By sydneyemms
Format:DVD
'The Small Back Room' came towards the end of the partnership of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. They created one of the most creative and thought provoking cycle of movies ever seen in British Cinema. Films such as 'A Matter Of Life And Death', 'A Canterbury Tale', 'Black Narcissus' and 'I Know Where I'm Going' examined the nature of relationships in a new, bold and extremely cinematic way.
They made imaginative use of studios, film stock and special effects.
'The Small Back Room' is by their standards quite a small scale picture. Once again they returned to performers from a previous film (in this case 'Black Narcissus') for their lead actors, David Farrer and Kathleen Byron.
Farrer is largely forgotten today but I consider this to be his finest performance. He plays an alcoholic bomb disposal expert, trying to stop drinking, save his relationship and defuse a bomb. Afflicted by the shakes and nightmares of giant bottles looming over him, he fights his depression and despair while trying to prevent his life exploding literally in front of his eyes.
As a film it has a lot in common with Billy Wilders 'The Lost Weekend'. Though in that film the lead character is trying to save his career and his relationship,the stakes in this one are much higher and the danger much more deadly.
Another classic emerging from the back catalogue,it is to be hoped that with its release on DVD a new audience will discover it and rescue it from its neglected status.
There are few extras but its selling at a very reasonable price and if you enjoy the work of Powell and Pressburger, Billy Wilder and the old fashioned stiff upper lipped second world war cinema world of 'Brief Encounter' then I think you'll find much to enjoy in 'The Small Back Room'.
They made imaginative use of studios, film stock and special effects.
'The Small Back Room' is by their standards quite a small scale picture. Once again they returned to performers from a previous film (in this case 'Black Narcissus') for their lead actors, David Farrer and Kathleen Byron.
Farrer is largely forgotten today but I consider this to be his finest performance. He plays an alcoholic bomb disposal expert, trying to stop drinking, save his relationship and defuse a bomb. Afflicted by the shakes and nightmares of giant bottles looming over him, he fights his depression and despair while trying to prevent his life exploding literally in front of his eyes.
As a film it has a lot in common with Billy Wilders 'The Lost Weekend'. Though in that film the lead character is trying to save his career and his relationship,the stakes in this one are much higher and the danger much more deadly.
Another classic emerging from the back catalogue,it is to be hoped that with its release on DVD a new audience will discover it and rescue it from its neglected status.
There are few extras but its selling at a very reasonable price and if you enjoy the work of Powell and Pressburger, Billy Wilder and the old fashioned stiff upper lipped second world war cinema world of 'Brief Encounter' then I think you'll find much to enjoy in 'The Small Back Room'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not as good as the book
This film is based on a novel of the same name by Nigel Balchin, published just after the second war. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Michael
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intense
Suprisingly fresh in it's attitude to sexuality the film portrays one man's road to redemption from alcohol and self pity. The bomb disposal scene on the beach is gripping. Read more
Published on 16 May 2011 by jimbob
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Powell and Pressburger film - unusual story and probably...
Having watched most of the famous Powell and Pressburger films over the past year, we decided to get the occasional lesser-known one. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2011 by Fairy Godmother
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
While definitely not a masterpiece on the scale of A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH or A CANTERBURY TALE, this is an extraordinarily odd and involving film, with several classic Powell &... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2009 by Simon
5.0 out of 5 stars
SMALL BACK ROOM
The Small Back Room [DVD] [1949]
An excellent peice of early Post World War social drama
An excellent peice of early Post World War social drama
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by Marc S. Sinclair
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brings back memories
As a child I moved from Swindon to Weymouth during WWII and Abbotsbury and Chesil Beach were places we travelled to by the train as shown in this film, so there are memories from... Read more
Published on 12 July 2009 by F. J. Dukes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
Another classic from Powell & Pressburger. Albeit a minor low-key one. Shot in moody black and white that gives the it an almost noirish feel the film explores the complex... Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by Johnnybluetime
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blow-Up Without The Blow-Up
This story of a WW2 scientist, engaged on such problems as how to defuse a new type of boobytrapped German bomb, was based on a novel which I recall having to read in English... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2008 by Ian Millard
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Archers in decline, but still a film worth watching
Sammy Rice (David Farrar) is a first-rate scientist and something of an expert in defusing bombs. The year is 1943 and the Germans have starting dropping a new kind of terror... Read more
Published on 16 April 2007 by C. O. DeRiemer
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