Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boffins in war-time London, 30 Sep 2001
'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.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Minor Classic, 19 Aug 2004
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.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Neglected Classic From Powell and Pressburger, 28 May 2004
'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'.
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