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The Small Back Room (Hour of Glory) (1952)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1

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Release Date: Feb 1, 1952 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 316

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Movie Info

As the Germans drop explosive booby-traps on 1943 England, the embittered expert who will have to disarm them fights a private battle with alcohol, a struggle brought on by his being crippled in action and frustrated with the mindless bureaucracy of government.

Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

Directed By: Michael Powell , Emeric Pressburger

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1952 Wide

On DVD: Aug 19, 2008

Snader Productions

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Critic Reviews for The Small Back Room (Hour of Glory)

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (1) | DVD (8)

The Small Back Room is too good to be regarded as the curio that most currently see it as.

August 9, 2009 Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com

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Jeremy Heilman

MovieMartyr.com

Through the Archers' gaze we watch closely, but are never let in.

August 28, 2008 Full Review Source: PopMatters

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Matthew Sorrento

PopMatters

works because it takes advantage of its smaller scope, focusing us inward on a character who is instantly memorable

August 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

An atypical mid-career Archers production, The Small Back Room should rise from overlooked status with this devotedly attentive release.

August 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Bill Weber

Slant Magazine

One of the period's most piercing, emotionally anguished romances.

August 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Bill Weber

Slant Magazine

... its uncanny storytelling is ever so eloquent.

August 16, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for The Small Back Room (Hour of Glory)

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"The Small Back Room" is about the problems and work of a weapons researcher in London in the spring of 1943. While battling alcohol because of a crippling injury, he is investigating booby trapped bombs that the Germans are dropping all over England and advising on a new gun. The movie is lacking slightly in plot,

May 24, 2010

Walter M.

Super Reviewer

Way before "The Hurt Locker" this Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger ("The Archers") film about British intelligence and bomb experts trying to defuse explosive booby traps dropped by the Germans made for a fascinating and in one sequence riveting story. David Farrar is great as the alcoholic/disabled bomb expert and

September 23, 2011