Michael Powell
Film director · 7 films (1943–1969)
Michael Powell is a director whose work here spans The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) to Age of Consent (1969), across drama and romance. 3 of those films were photographed by Jack Cardiff. All 438 frames from 7 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
Michael Latham Powell was a renowned English film director, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. They worked together under the name of "The Archers" and produced a series of classic British films, notably The Thief of Bagdad (1940), 49th Parallel (1941), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946, also called Stairway to Heaven), Black Narcissus (1947) and The Red Shoes (1948).
Born 30 September 1905 · Bekesbourne, Kent, England · died 19 February 1990
Directing style
Michael Powell’s visual style relies on interior-dominated framing, utilizing eye-level camera angles and a nearly equal split between deep focus and shallow depth of field to stage dramas, romances, and comedies. He builds tense and ominous atmospheres through night scenes and low-key interior setups lit by practical sources, windows, and candlelight. This moody lighting carves out a palette of deep slate blues, dark forest greens, and rich crimson reds, punctuated by saturated Technicolor and stark black-and-white photography that favors medium shots and wide compositions over closeups.
Awards
- BAFTA Fellowship · 1981
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement · 1982
- Silver Bear · 1951
- Doctor of Letters · 1978
Films directed by Michael Powell
About Michael Powell
When was Michael Powell born?
Michael Powell was born on 30 September 1905 in Bekesbourne, Kent, England and died on 19 February 1990.
What films has Michael Powell directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 7 of them: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948), The Tales of Hoffmann (1951), Peeping Tom (1960) and Age of Consent (1969).
What awards has Michael Powell won?
BAFTA Fellowship (1981), Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (1982), Silver Bear (1951) and Doctor of Letters (1978).
Search every frame of Michael Powell’s films
All 438 indexed frames from 7 films directed by Michael Powell — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.