A Life in Movies

Whether you are interested in The Archers or not, this is a book I would recommend to anyone. A fascinating insight into one man's determination to be a film maker. Determination is the thing that stands out most, for me. Other's might call it ruthlessness. You don't have to look very deep to see that Powell spare's nothing and no-one. Not even himself.A very well written book. Easy and enjoyable to read.

This was a gift, but I know is being greatly enjoyed by the recipient - unputdownable! She laughs out loud when reading it.

I look forward to reading this paperback version of the 700+ pages of "A Life in Pictures" however the paper used is too thin to keep the book flat.

Americans are so grateful to MArtin Scorsese for bringing this genius to our attention and helping restore and preserve his films

very good

The two volumes of Michael Powell are quite brilliant in content - historic, anecdotal, indiscreet, amusing, sad, racy and possibly on occasions verging on the fantastical but this quite exceptional book is handicapped by the complete absence of chaptering and very dodgy chronology. I appreciate to a certain extent it was hurried work in process as he neared the end of his life but it would so benefit from judicious editing and chaptering. Publishers should note I will happily undertake this work. A few pics wouldn't go amiss either. Apart from that a complete rainy day/week joy

There is only room for about 8 books in my bedside cabinet which is an uncomfortably small niche for nearly 3 decades of literary adventure. I had relegated Michael Powell's "A Life in Movies" to the shelf on the other side of the room but it' s becoming uncomfortably clear that reinstatement is a necessity in order to prevent cold feet from too many early morning trips across the floor.I read it first when I was 21, now I'm 32 and every time I think of just a short dip into it again, I find myself dipping long enough to end up with prune-like, wrinkled fingers. This book is a joy. Michael Powell was by all accounts not an easy man to get on with but his writing has real joi de vivre, drawing you into a world of movies that sadly no longer exists. He is a cocky, confidant narrator with a gift for dialogue and in some cases, unnervingly, dispassionate observation. For those who love his films, it's a hugely rewarding experience to revisit the creation of some of the most evocative images in world cinema. The story of "I Know Where I'm Going" and his affectionate portraits of its stars, is as satisfying a piece of travel writing as autobiography or film history. His discussions with partner and screenwriter Emeric Pressburger are detailed with the same skilled storytelling instinct that the Archers films excelled in: he asks Pressburger why the girl in the story wants to go to the island of Kiloran and Pressburger replies with 'one of his mysterious smiles..."Let's make the film and find out"'.Powell's honest description of his tangled love life (as he struggles to decide whether to marry the actress Deborah Kerr, or the woman who became his wife, Frankie) is disarmingly frank and unrepentant but it's a measure of the charm of his writing that you don't judge him for it, full as it is with loving praise for both women. It's this enthusiasm for people, places and communication through cinema that suffuses this book. It's a happy experience to be in the company of a generous raconteur who wants to share his passions with the world. When he talks of making Roger Livesey's "lovely, husky voice beloved all over the world" or of Frankie christening "I Know Where I'm Going" by singing the title song on a London bus and then disappearing, it's enough to make anyone feel that film making is the ultimate creative pleasure.But here's an irony - no pictures in my paperback copy!

It's interesting to get the background info on some of those great British productions of the 40s and 50s.Powell was a patriot and a sentimental one too. His account of his childhood during the First World War in Kent is moving especially when we realise his parents' marriage was not too strong and his father went off. The film A Canterbury Tale is all the more powerful given the personal history.He's not averse to taking advantage of his leading ladies. Fair enough - it takes two to tango although he never quite managed to hang on to Deborah Kerr, the love of his life. Colonel Blimp reminds us of that too.He must have been a genius. To be able to remember verbatim conversations with friends and colleagues decades after the event is quite some talent!

Great book to read. Copy is in acceptable condition, as advertised.

Five stars for the book's content. This is a must for all fans of The Archers, along with Emeric Pressburger's biography.However, if you buy this new, it is a print on demand copy. My copy was not very well put together. Pages in the front of the book started to come loose. The book is large and heavy and the amount of glue used for binding is insufficient.

Very good.

Item is incredible !

Love the contents but the font in the paperback is miniscule. Hardback edition has bigger, more readable font.