This episode of Backlisted is devoted to A Life in Movies (1986), the first volume of memoirs of the filmmaker Michael Powell who, with his partner Emeric Pressburger, is responsible for some of the finest, most magical and soulful films ever to come out of the UK: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes, and many more. Joining us for a discussion of Powell's life and work - and his vision of cinema as a space in which all the other arts may find expression - are memoirist and critic James Cook and film writer and academic Melanie Williams. We focus on four productions of the Archers that between them tell the story of Powell and Pressburger's achievement: The Spy in Black, A Matter of Life and Death, "I Know Where I'm Going!" and Gone to Earth. If you have yet to see these films, or any of Michael Powell's work, set aside some time for your next personal obsession. You'll be glad you did.

Books mentioned
Michael Powell - A Life in Movies
James Cook - Memory Songs: A Personal Journey Into the Music that Shaped the 90s; In Her Room: How Music Helped Me Connect With My Autistic Daughter
Melanie Williams - Ealing Revisited (editor): David Lean; Female Stars of British Cinema: The Women in Question; Sixties British Cinema Reconsidered; A Taste of Honey: BFI Film Classics
David Niven - The Moon’s a Balloon

Films mentioned
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Peeping Tom
Black Narcissus
The Red Shoes
The Spy in Black
A Matter of Life and Death
"I Know Where I'm Going!"
Gone to Earth

Other links
Review 31 website
A Taste of Honey - The Royal Exchange, Manchester
Criterion Channel