New, restored high-definition digital transfer Audio commentary featuring film scholar Charles Barr New video interview with cinematographer Chris Challis Excerpts from Michael Powell's audio dictations for his autobiography Plus: a new essay by film critic Nick Jones Region: 1 Audio: DD1
Rating: NR Genre: Drama Release Date: 08/19/2008 Dubbed: English Sound: DD1 Run Time: 107 Minutes Flags: Suitable for Children Distributor/Studio: Criterion
Few British films were run on American TV in 1950s with such frequency as The Small Back Room (U.S. title: Hour of Glory). A typically multilayered effort from the Powell-Pressburger team, the film stars David Farrar as crippled munitions genius Sammy Rice. During WW II, Rice is constantly frustrated by the limits of his handicap and by the never-ending boondoggle of government red tape. He makes several acerbic comments about the state of things, which has the effect of turning the public against him. How Rice redeems himself professionally, and at long last finds inner peace, is the thrust of this well-wrought film. Originally released at 106 minutes, The Small Back Room has suffered the ignominy of being ruthlessly re-edited by American distributors and local TV stations; it's best to seek this one out on videotape.
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