This film is part of Free
Return to the Edge of the World
Michael Powell makes a moving return trip to the remote island of Foula, forty years after he shot his first major feature there.
Overview
In 1936, Michael Powell took a small cast and crew to Foula in the Shetland Isles to make The Edge of the World, a recreation of the evacuation of another Scottish island, St Kilda. In 1978, Powell went back to Foula accompanied by one of the film's stars, John Laurie, by then a household name through his role in television sitcom Dad's Army. They found very little had changed and were reunited with the islanders who had taken roles in the film.
This featurette, which opens on the lot of Pinewood Studios, was made to be screened with The Edge of the World and gives a fascinating insight into the film's origins and production. As Laurie says, their pilgrimage to the bleak, beautiful, rocky isle wasn't just another shoot but "an experience that changed all our lives".
Related
Universal Talking News No. 487 Universal Talking News No. 487
Non-Fiction 1935 12 mins Location: Scarborough
A curious Scarborough skipping custom and other intriguing happenings from around the world.
Off the Map Off the Map
Sponsored film 1958 27 mins Location: Shetland Islands
Cruise on the steamer 'Meteor' for a magical 1950s journey to the wild and remote islands of Fair Isle, Shetland, Papa Stour, Foula, North Rona, St Kilda, Mingulay, Barra and Iona.
Gannets at Lerwick Gannets at Lerwick
Amateur film 1946 11 mins Silent Location: Lerwick
Visit Lerwick harbour in 1946, as a mass of gannets spectacularly dive bomb into the water. A breathtaking amateur film from Theo Kay with fishing boats, birds and Shetland magic.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.