Submitted by
Neal Lofthouse
200,000 Ft On Foula
By: John Taylor
World Film News
February 1938
Neal comments:
This rather odd article is a contemporary review of
Michael's book from 'World Film News' February 1938.
I've typed it "as is". If the english seems a bit strange that's the
way it's written. I've never heard of the expression "I am on horns"
before, I'm not really sure what it means. I also confess I don't
really understand some of the points he's trying to make.
I assume the man servant is Bill Paton. The author gives the
impression Michael kidnapped him and forced him to go to
London.
Michael Powell's account of the filming of "The Edge of the World" reviewed
by John Taylor
Is there in the film business a man who speaks the truth? Is there a man
who can tell a story without glossing over the direct, without enlarging
the glories. There have been many stories of film trips to far parts, told
by cameramen and prop men, directors and sound men, told while hanging over
bars, while sitting in hotels, while waiting for the sun. But I doubt if
they ever told the true story even to their wives in the secrecy of the
bed chamber where even in the film business nothing but the truth is supposed
to be told. Is it possible that from these men will come one who does not
only speak the truth but writes it - no of course not - but all the same
I feel uneasy - is the film business losing its grip? Are there weaklings
amongst us - men who will say : "They gave me £500" and did get £500.
Men who will say : "Don't be silly, that was only a publicity stunt."
A week ago I could have said, "We are safe boys!" - no one will say there
is an honest man in the business - that is if they are honest themselves
- but now, as I said, I fell uneasy and suspicious, for out of our jungle
has come a document which rings. Even the title '200,000 Feet on Foula'
sounds like the truth, for who ever heard anyone tell the true footage?
But I hold in reserve that Powell either did shoot 200,000 feet, is an honest
man and a traitor to all true expedition men, or that he shot 500,000 feet,
is the biggest and best liar amongst us, and a credit to us all. I hold
this reserve because long experience has taught me to be curious about these
things.
At the moment I am on horns and so will you be when you read the book. Take
for example what Powell says about his girlfriend Frankie who worked on
the film. "I have always failed to understand a film director or stage producer,
who uses his position to give a friend a job." Followed by "Not a soul should
know that we were engaged or anything more to each other than director and
actress" and then "Only I myself, could weigh all the reasons why Frankie
had to play a part." And they called him honest John. Ease the weight on
to the other horn for he continues : "During the production of the film
I would treat her exactly as I treated any other member of the company."
You may say "God help the company." But Powell tends to ram it down your
throat by, "The experienced onlooker will smile at this ruthless decision
and indeed at the whole situation, for he knows very well what will happen"
- but Powell is not thinking what you are, for his concern is the difficulty
of directing his girlfriend. When you get a man who says things about himself
and his one and only, what can you do but be uneasy and hope that he doesn't
feel the same about the more serious things in life? But as you go through
the book you realise that he does feel that he does feel the same about
the more serious things. The first cameraman on the film had never shot
an exterior picture before and shot wide open using shutter to control exposure
- entirely the director's responsibility, but Powell, and I do not like
it, gives lurid details, even the cameraman's name. Is there no honour amongst
honest men? Apart from this, the book is the best description of film making
I have read, the details of contact making, the amount of preparation, the
waiting for the sun, the rush to finish the film, the producers demand that
the unit should come back with an unfinished picture, the picture almost
finished, and then a head office man forcing the unit back to London. One
thing comes out of the book and that is that the making of a film like 'The
Edge of the World' is a specialised job. That a studio director requires
an assistant director and a cameraman who have done the work before.
Anyone thinking of going into the film business would do well to read the
book. Anyone in the business thinking of making a film on similar lines
should read it, for out of it come a dozen points. Is it good to take your
wife or girl with you? Is it good to run a unit on democratic lines, and
when it is finished is it good to write a book about it? Maybe. On the
whole this book has a good feeling about it. The unit seemed to work well
together and with the people of the island, but I hold to my reserve for
occasionally a false note is hit ; when Powell brings back a Shetland Islander
to be his man servant. Maybe it is just as right to bring back an islander
to be your man servant as it is to bring someone from Southwark. What kind
of man is a man servant anyway? So I hold my reserve and say Powell is possibly
the biggset and best liar of us all.
( "200,000 feet on Foula", by Michael Powell. Faber and Faber, 12s 6d.)
Back to index
