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 Roger Mellor

The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
"Radio Times" film guide

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Director - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Screenplay - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Procers - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Starring - Robert Rounseville & Moira Shearer
Running Time - 119 mins
Country of Origin - UK

Three years after the success of The Red Shoes, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger returned to the world of ballet at the behest of Sir Thomas Beecham for this irresistible confection. With Moira Shearer and Frederick Ashton dancing superbly and Hein Heckroth's art design and costumes worthy of their Oscar nominations, this sumptuous adaptation of Offenbach's opera is a visual delight. But with the Sadler's Wells Chorus backing singers of the calibre of Robert Rounseville and Ann Ayars, it sounds pretty good, too. Indeed, only the slightly muddled structure detracts from what is otherwise an audacious cinematic experiment.