IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
A way of life is dying on an Outer Hebridean island fishing port, but some of the inhabitants resist evacuating to the mainland.A way of life is dying on an Outer Hebridean island fishing port, but some of the inhabitants resist evacuating to the mainland.A way of life is dying on an Outer Hebridean island fishing port, but some of the inhabitants resist evacuating to the mainland.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
Niall MacGinnis
- The Gray Family: Andrew, His Son
- (as Niall Macginnis)
Andy Gear
- Villager in Evacuation
- (uncredited)
Mima Gear
- Villager in Evacuation
- (uncredited)
Wullie Gear
- Fiddler at Hirta Reel
- (uncredited)
Aggie Jean Gray
- Member of the Congregation
- (uncredited)
Agnes 'Nannie' Gray
- Member of the Congregation
- (uncredited)
Edith Gray
- Member of the Congregation
- (uncredited)
James Andrew Gray
- Member of the Congregation
- (uncredited)
Jean 'Jeannie' Gray
- Member of the Congregation
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the scene of the race up the cliffs, the actors did their own climbing. According to director Michael Powell's book on the making of the film, Eric Berry in particular did some risky work indeed, especially in the shots of him clambering up the waterfall.
- GoofsThe wild Golden Eagle at the beginning has the falconer's jesses (leather straps) visible.
- Quotes
The Gray Family: Andrew, His Son: Do you think I don't care about Robbie? Do you think I'd forget that he was your twin brother and my best friend?
- Crazy credits[before opening credits] The slow shadow of Death is falling on the outer isles of Scotland. [scrolls up] This is the story of one of them -- and all of them. When the Roman Fleet first sailed round Britain they saw from the Orkneys a distant island, like a blue haze across a hundred miles of sea. They called it - "ULTIMA THULE" [main title] THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
- ConnectionsFeatured in Return to the Edge of the World (1978)
- SoundtracksChorus
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Performed by The Glasgow Orpheus Choir
Conducted by Hugh S. Roberton
Featured review
The first major feature film from director Michael Powell
This British drama from writer-director Michael Powell features a story that charts the sad last days of the residents on Hirta, a small, isolated Scottish island. As more and more of the younger generations move away, the remaining residents are finding life, which was already a struggle, to be untenable. Young adults Andrew (Niall MacGinnis), Robbie (Eric Berry), and Robbie's sister Ruth (Belle Chrystall) all dream of moving to the mainland, and while Andrew's father James (Finlay Currie) can see the inevitability of it, Robbie and Ruth's proud father Peter (John Laurie) is determined to maintain life on Hirta as usual. Also featuring Michael Powell as the Yachtsman.
This was the first major feature film for director Powell, and he's already showing skill at composing imagery. The location cinematography is bleak yet beautiful, and the film's editing ratchets up several scenes of suspense. The film's one weakness lies in its performances. Currie and Laurie are both excellent, but MacGinnis is a bit green, and many of the supporting and bit players are obviously non-professionals. Still, this is a terrific debut from one of Great Britain's greatest filmmakers.
This was the first major feature film for director Powell, and he's already showing skill at composing imagery. The location cinematography is bleak yet beautiful, and the film's editing ratchets up several scenes of suspense. The film's one weakness lies in its performances. Currie and Laurie are both excellent, but MacGinnis is a bit green, and many of the supporting and bit players are obviously non-professionals. Still, this is a terrific debut from one of Great Britain's greatest filmmakers.
- How long is The Edge of the World?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- £20,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 14 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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