Being enchanted by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's amazing The Red Shoes,and their sadly forgotten,stunning film Gone To Earth (both also reviewed),I was shocked to discover,that whilst Michael Powell's film Pepping Tom (also reviewed) is always talked about as being the film that destroyed his career,he was thankfully able to re-team with Pressburger and deliver this film.
Whilst not being as strong as their past brilliant work,the film is still very entertaining,with a brisk running time,and an interesting,more light-touch look,at one or two of the main themes that had featured in Powell and Pressburger's film.
View on the film:
Whilst The Red Shoes and Gone To Earth have Powell and Pressburger credited as a writing/producing/directing team,the credits here strangely,have them both being credited separately,with Pressburger for the screenplay,and Powell for the directing.
For the first half of this enjoyable short film,screenwriter Pressburger gives the film very strong hints of The Wizard of Oz,with John changing into bright yellow and his wild adventure with Nick being neither confirmed nor denied as either real or imaginary.
Unexpectedly for the second half,Pressburger really struggles to decide what time period the film is set in. From the point where John and Nick enter The Tower of London,the films plot jumps around all over the place,with one scene being set in the present day,with the guards of The Tower watching football on TV,to the very next scene being set in medieval times!.
Although the film is fairly low budget,director Michael Powell still proves the he is able to deliver brilliant moments that truly flourish,with the scenes where Nick and John are giving "Channel surfing" a whole new meaning,allowing Powell to show a very whimsical side,which also lets Michael Powell to give the film a fun,light fantasy felling.
Final view on the film:
Although sadly not reaching the stunning heights of their astonishing past work,the final film by Powell and Pressburger is still a very enjoyable,light, playful spin on The Wizard of Oz,which also has both of them still showing some very bright flourishes.
Whilst not being as strong as their past brilliant work,the film is still very entertaining,with a brisk running time,and an interesting,more light-touch look,at one or two of the main themes that had featured in Powell and Pressburger's film.
View on the film:
Whilst The Red Shoes and Gone To Earth have Powell and Pressburger credited as a writing/producing/directing team,the credits here strangely,have them both being credited separately,with Pressburger for the screenplay,and Powell for the directing.
For the first half of this enjoyable short film,screenwriter Pressburger gives the film very strong hints of The Wizard of Oz,with John changing into bright yellow and his wild adventure with Nick being neither confirmed nor denied as either real or imaginary.
Unexpectedly for the second half,Pressburger really struggles to decide what time period the film is set in. From the point where John and Nick enter The Tower of London,the films plot jumps around all over the place,with one scene being set in the present day,with the guards of The Tower watching football on TV,to the very next scene being set in medieval times!.
Although the film is fairly low budget,director Michael Powell still proves the he is able to deliver brilliant moments that truly flourish,with the scenes where Nick and John are giving "Channel surfing" a whole new meaning,allowing Powell to show a very whimsical side,which also lets Michael Powell to give the film a fun,light fantasy felling.
Final view on the film:
Although sadly not reaching the stunning heights of their astonishing past work,the final film by Powell and Pressburger is still a very enjoyable,light, playful spin on The Wizard of Oz,which also has both of them still showing some very bright flourishes.
