Michael Powell describes The Small Back Room as “A film I love.... Very simply, an invalid scientist tries to discover how the tiny bombs which the Nazis are sending over England work. They look like toys and many children are killed when they pick them up. It is also the story of a hunted man who discovers a reason for living. I think that it is my best film.” David Farrar plays the crippled, alcoholic bomb expert, and Kathleen Byron his lover in this passionate, introverted film noir story of sexual longing and loneliness.
“Badly cut in its U.S. release - two complete sub-plots were removed - this is the full version of one of the most notable Powell-Pressburger productions. One of the few Powell films to deal in realistic terms with a contemporary theme, it was unfortunately not a success and was difficult to see even in England. There are one or two moments of typical P/P fireworks - especially an expressionistic delirium sequence - and some delightful comedy interpolations, but for the most part it concentrates on both the personal and ‘career' problems of the back-room-boy scientists in the later stages of the war. The climax is one of the tensest thrill sequences ever put on film. And the acting from a distinguished cast is outstanding.”