Rentals
Powell Before Pressburger
Powell cut his teeth making low-budget films under the British ‘quota’ system from 1931-36.
All of the surviving titles from this period of Powell's career have been remastered by the BFI National Archive; we present a selection of them below.

The Phantom LightThe Phantom Light
Comedy193572 minsDirector: Michael Powell
Michael Powell’s gothic mystery of a haunted lighthouse where insanity thrives.

Red EnsignRed Ensign
Drama193469 minsDirector: Michael Powell
Passionate shipbuilding tale from an on-the-up Michael Powell.

Crown v. StevensCrown v. Stevens
Crime193667 minsDirector: Michael Powell
Patric Knowles stars as a naïve young man who becomes embroiled in the murderous, money-hungry scheming of his boss’s wife, in Michael Powell’s stylish proto-film noir.

Something Always HappensSomething Always Happens
Comedy193470 minsDirector: Michael Powell
Michael Powell’s sprightly comedy about a freeloading charmer who romances the daughter of a wealthy petrol station owner.

His LordshipHis Lordship
Comedy193273 minsDirector: Michael Powell
A plumber discovers to his horror that he is, in fact, a hereditary Lord in Michael Powell's riotous satirical musical.

The Fire RaisersThe Fire Raisers
Crime193478 minsDirector: Michael Powell
Michael Powell’s atmospheric thriller about an insurance man in over his head with a gang of arsonists.

Discover more of Powell's early films in our Subscription collection.