THE SMALL BACK ROOM

UK, 1949, 106 minutes, Black and white.
David Farrar, Kathleen Byron, Jack Hawkins, Leslie Banks, Robert Morley, Cyril Cusack.
Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

The Small Back Room is one of the lesser known films of the Archers, the writing and directing team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Some of their best known films include The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, I Know Where I'm Going, The Red Shoes, Peeping Tom.

The film is a war memoir, a look at the boffins in the small back rooms. It also focuses on the personal crisis of one of the boffins, with his artificial foot that embarrasses and angers him, with alcoholism that threatens to destroy him. The character is well played by David Farrar (who appeared in Black Narcissus). Kathleen Byron is effective as the loyal secretary who is also devoted to the boffin. (Kathleen Byron appeared to strong effect also in Black Narcissus.)

There is a strong supporting cast with veterans like Leslie Banks and newcomers of the time including Jack Hawkins, Michael Gough, Cyril Cusack.

The film is straightforward in its presentation of the boffins, the personal crisis, the overcoming of lack of confidence with the defusing of the mysterious bomb. However, the Archers used lighting to special effect, creating their own special dark world. This can be seen also in the expressionistic nightmare where the boffin has hallucinations as he goes on a long drinking spree.

A film of its time, it now seems interesting in terms of its plot, characterisation and cinematic styles.

1. A post-war film? Its perspective on the war? The perspective of later decades?

2. The work of the Archers and their reputation? Writing, direction, lighting and cinematic styles? The members of the cast and their working for the Archers? The black and white photography, light and darkness, shadows? The stylised expressionistic alcoholic nightmare? The musical score?

3. The title, the boffins in the back rooms? Their waging of the war and their influence?

4. Stuart and the bomb situation, his seeking Professor Mair's support, Susan helping him to reach Sammy Rice? His need for expert help? Going to the pub, the encounter with Sammy? Going to his flat? Susan and her help? The promise of help?

5. David Farrar as Sammy, quiet and sardonic? Intense? His foot, his concern, his not even removing the artificial limb in private? His drinking, the drink being better than the drugs which did nothing for him? Sardonic and bitter? Devoted to his work, his expertise? The clashes with Knucksie in the bar? Listening to Stuart, interested in his case? His relationship with Susan, love for her? Yet inability to be free with her?

6. His work in the department? Waring and his salesman style? Susan and her working with both of them? Waring and the flowers? Taylor and his concerns? The various members of the staff, their experiments and expertise? Pinker and the public service, lobbying for his support? The minister (Robert Morley's comic style) and his fatuous visit and remarks? The satire on British government and administration?

7. The building of the gun, the meetings to discuss the army using it? The politicians and their pressure? Waring and his PR? Sammy and his listening, suggesting questions to be asked? The reliability of the gun? Holland and his interrogating Sammy and asking him for the truth about the success of the gun? The consequences with Professor Mair returning to the university?

8. Susan, in herself, her work, her love for Sammy, devotion? Going out with him? The regular meetings - and Sammy and his intensity, drinking and mistaking the day of the week? Her support, her inability to change him? Her anger, taking her photo, leaving?

9. Sammy continuing to drink, the hallucination and the proportions of the bottle and himself, the nightmarish tones? Stuart's phone call intruding?

10. The problem with the bomb, the information, his theories? Travelling down by train, the news of Stuart's death? The notes and their being relayed to him? The tension about the defusing of the bomb? His own confidence, tremors? His success in defusing the bomb?

11. His return to London, self-confidence restored? Holland offering him the job? Susan's return?

12. The portraits of people involved in the department: Waring and his charm, PR, ruthlessness? Stuart as earnest in following through, his death? Pinker and his lobbying? Taylor and his personal problems? Holland, the military man and his assistant? The glimpse of the minister?

13. A war memoir, admiration for the boffins? The tribute to them? A focus on personal crises, self-confidence, relationships, ambition, alcoholism? The British tone of the film?