The Powell & Pressburger Pages 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 Mark Fuller

Chaucer to Hitler

From our own correspondent

London, Thursday

From: Glasgow Herald
12 May 1944

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"A Canterbury Tale", which opens at the Odeon to-morrow, is chiefly remarkable for its photography. Erwin Hillier has brought English scenery to the screen so accurately that every Briton may well gaze entranced at the Kentish landscape.

     The scene is close to reality and so has a universal appeal. Here is Canterbury. The marks of war are scarred across it, but the placid beauty of the place and the tranquil enchantments of the surroundings flood the screen with a peace that is almost an active emotion.

     The tale behind the trappings is good enough - an account of modern pilgrims in a world which Chaucer would not recognise. Even so, there is a folk-lore element in it, Sheila Sim's land girl, Dennis Price's British sergeant, John Sweet's American one - and a distinguished study from Eric Portman as a Jekyll and Hyde - being symbols rather than individuals.

     Young John Sweet, a real sergeant from the Middle West, has a casual attractiveness which predicts the movies for him - once soldiering is over.

     This is a picture to be seen and felt much as an oil painting can be seen and felt. Mr Hillier's camera should do great deeds for Britain in the near future.

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