The Masters  
The Powell & Pressburger Pages

Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films.

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Submitted by Roger Mellor

The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)
"Radio Times" film guide


Director - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Screenplay - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Procers - Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Starring - Robert Rounseville & Moira Shearer
Running Time - 119 mins
Country of Origin - UK

Three years after the success of The Red Shoes, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger returned to the world of ballet at the behest of Sir Thomas Beecham for this irresistible confection. With Moira Shearer and Frederick Ashton dancing superbly and Hein Heckroth's art design and costumes worthy of their Oscar nominations, this sumptuous adaptation of Offenbach's opera is a visual delight. But with the Sadler's Wells Chorus backing singers of the calibre of Robert Rounseville and Ann Ayars, it sounds pretty good, too. Indeed, only the slightly muddled structure detracts from what is otherwise an audacious cinematic experiment.


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