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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United Kingdom
A Deep Dive into the 1935 Vision of Michael Powell
The Crime DNA of The Price of a Song is a reflection of United Kingdom's the historical context that Michael Powell weaves into the Crime fabric. Challenging the viewer to find meaning in the Crime shadows, it transcends regional boundaries to tell a universal story.
In The Price of a Song, Michael Powell pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
| Cinematography | High-Contrast |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Slow-Burn |
| Art Direction | Brutalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Michael Powell's style and the core Crime narrative.
A bookmakers clerk, Grierson, finds himself in financial difficulties and forces his step-daughter to marry Nevern, a caddish song-writer, for his money. When she finds life unbearable with Nevern she decides to divorce him and marry Hardwicke, a newspaper reporter. Grierson schemes to murder Nevern in the hope that his step-daughter will inherit all his money and that she'll be generous towards him (not knowing he will be the murderer). After secretly building up what he thinks is alibi upon alibi, he commits what he believes to be the perfect crime, only for an incredible slip to prove his undoing.
Decades after its release, The Price of a Song remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Michael Powell's status as a master of the craft in United Kingdom and beyond.