Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger

Along with Alfred Hitchcock and David Lean, Michael Powell was the most celebrated British filmmaker of the 20th Century. Unlike the others, he stayed in the UK for most of his career, and the English character was an abiding fascination in his greatest films — most of which were written by the Hungarian emigre Emeric Pressburger (who shared a producing and directing credit with Powell). Among these master works: Black Narcissus (also showing at VIFF Centre this week), The Red Shoes, A Matter of Life and Death, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, A Canterbury Tale, I Know Where I’m Going, and Peeping Tom.

Made in England is a tribute to Powell from his most famous acolyte, Martin Scorsese (whose longtime editor, Thelma Schoonmacher, was married to Powell). The movies are a veritable treasure trove, and we couldn’t have a better guide to them.

Through a sharp lens and with deep feeling, Hinton’s film is a celebration of committing oneself to art, and the creative bonds that fuel the spark.

Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter

The film lays out an impassioned case for the nearly unique greatness of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s body of work.

Chris Barsanti, Slant magazine

What makes “Made in England” so compelling is how effortlessly it swings from film analysis to cinema and cultural history to personal narrative.

Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times