As I’ve said numerous times, the English team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (who was born in Hungary) made some unique and fascinating movies. Each one is a treat to see for the first time, and they invite repeat viewings.
Last weekend Carol and I watched A Canterbury Tale. It was made in 1944, and features an amateur actor named John Sweet, who was a real-life American Army sergeant at the time. The actress is Sheila Sim, who married Richard Attenborough a year later. The actor with Sim in the second scene is Eric Portman.
I’ve spliced together two scenes from A Canterbury Tale, widely separated in the movie, each with its own mood and charm. Powell was very good at not rushing things, and letting the story unfold at its own pace, while Pressburger’s character portrayals and dialog offer humor, warmth, and subtlety.
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