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The Small Back Room

The Small Back Room

Drama Romance War

1949, Movie, 1h 46min

After the lavish Technicolor spectacle of THE RED SHOES, British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger retreated into the inward, shadowy recesses of this moody, crackling character study. Based on the acclaimed novel by Nigel Balchin, THE SMALL BACK ROOM details the professional and personal travails of troubled, alcoholic research scientist and military bomb-disposal expert Sammy Rice (David Farrar), who, while struggling with a complex relationship with secretary girlfriend Susan (Kathleen Byron), is hired by the government to advise on a dangerous new German weapon. Deftly mixing suspense and romance, THE SMALL BACK ROOM is an atmospheric, post–World War II gem.

Country: United Kingdom

Directors:

Michael Powell,

Emeric Pressburger

Cast:

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Critic rating

Average critic rating

10.0

Reviews

Critic William Thomas

rated

10

Forget Speed, this is the great Bomb Disposal movie.

Read full review at Empire

Frequently asked questions

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You can stream The Small Back Room on: The Criterion Channel Fandango at Home

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as The Small Back Room include Johnny Frenchman, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, A Matter of Life and Death, The Sound Barrier, The Murderers Are Among Us, Betrayed.

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The Small Back Room was released in theaters on February 23, 1952.