The Edge of the World (1937)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Michael Powell

Writer:

Michael Powell (story)

Release Date:

9 September 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Plot:

A way of life is dying on a Shetland island fishing port, but some of the inhabitants resist evacuating to the mainland.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Cliff | Fishing | Race | Grudge

Cast

John Laurie	...	Peter Manson
Belle Chrystall	...	Ruth Manson - His Daughter
Eric Berry	...	Robbie Manson - Her Brother
Kitty Kirwan	...	Jean Manson - Their Grandmother
Finlay Currie	...	James Gray
Niall MacGinnis	...	Andrew Gray - His Son (as Niall Macginnis)
Grant Sutherland	...	John - the Catechist
Campbell Robson	...	Mr. Dunbar - the Laird
George Summers	...	Trawler Skipper

Runtime:

81 min | UK:62 min (1940 re-issue) | UK:74 min (1990 NFA-restoration) | USA:74 min | USA:72 min (Milestone print)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Visatone Sound System)

Certification:

USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Sweden:Btl | UK:U (video rating) (1991) | UK:U | UK:A (original rating) | UK:U (re-rating) (1991)

Filming Locations:

Foula, Shetland, Scotland, UK

Company:

Joe Rock Productions

Trivia:

When he was young, Michael Powell read a newspaper article about the evacuation of the island of Hirta (St. Kilda), west of the Hebrides, and he thought he could make a great film about it.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The wild Golden Eagle at the beginning has the falconer's jesses (leather straps) visible.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Return to the Edge of the World (1978)

Soundtrack:

Chorus

Stunning visuals

This early effort by director Michael Powell is simply a stunning visual treat. Shot on location on one of the British isles,the visuals are both dramatic and beautiful.What amazed me was how different this movie was from others I've seen from the same period.It seemed so modern in the way of storytelling. The basic story of the film is quite predictable but the actors commitment heightens the drama's impact. John Laurie is the standout in the cast.But what lingers is the powerful depiction of the harsh life on these isles,constantly battling nature's forces.This movie is a cherished record of a way of life that now has almost completely disappeared. To fans of Michael Powell this is a must-see, and I recommend this amazing film to everybody.