Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films. A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it. I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films. [Any comments are by me (Steve Crook) and other members of the email list] |
Submitted by Roger Mellor
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
"Radio Times" film guide
Director - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Screenplay - Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Starring - Roger Livesey & Deborah Kerr
Running Time - 156 mins
Country of Origin - UKWinston Churchill ordered this film to be banned from exportation during the Second World War for giving the wrong impression of the British fighting man. Based on the comic-strip character created by David Low, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's film does indeed take a pop at the complacency of the top brass, yet, thanks to Roger Livesey's astonishing performance in the lead, it is also a tribute to the more laudable peculiarities of the British character - honour, loyalty and a genius for making the most of a bad lot. Anton Walbrook also excels as Livesey's Prussian nemesis who becomes a lifelong friend, while a young Deborah Kerr makes her mark playing the three women in Livesey's life. One of British cinema's undisputed masterpieces.
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