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Powell's great and very under-appreciated, "The Edge of the World."

If you liked, "Man of Aran," you're certain to really be fond of this earliest major work of the British master.
It was filmed on the very remote Scot island of Foula and starred three Brits who would go on to long careers.
The fish and the peat upon which the hard-scrabble existence of the inhabitants of a rugged island is based both are rapidly being depleted. A young man, much against the very strong opposition of his father who is one of the island's leaders, decides he must make his fortune on the mainland, leaving behind his close-knit clan. His sister's intended, however, is dead against him leaving, as is his father. To settle the dispute, a race between the two young men--- heretofore the greatest of friends--- to the top of the treacherous island crag, a jagged 1220 foot peak, is proposed. The shattering result forever impacts the tiny community.
Eric Berry and Niall MacGinnis play the young men, the immensely talented John Laurie creates a memorable character as the patriarch, but Belle Chrystall, though she also portrays her emotionally torn character quite well, unfortunately labors under inches of mascara, not exactly what one pictures of a nice country lass!
Michael Powell fans will be excited to know he has a small cameo and his wife also appears--- a true beauty.
The DVD obviously is a labor of love, featuring excellent extras including a documentary of the visit several cast members and Powell made to the island decades later to reminisce with the island residents that made up much of the cast.
Powell's direction is amazing, prefiguring the Antonioni middle-period with the overpowering shots of nature, the long-held shots, and the miniaturization of man against the elemental force of nature.


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Topic - Powell's great and very under-appreciated, "The Edge of the World." - tinear 11:23:37 11/08/09 (3)

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