The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Interview with Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr explains the masoschism associated with theatrical performance.
From the collection of:
Overview
From nun to sex symbol Scottish born Deborah Kerr CBE starred in over 45 films in as many years. Here the actor is interviewed after suffering from stage fright during a theatre performance of Emlyn William’s The Corn Is Green. She portrays Miss Moffat, a strong-willed teacher who set up a school in a Welsh mining village and finds talent in one of her pupils. She is recognised as one of the UK’s foremost Hollywood film stars and respected theatre actors.
Kerr received 6 Academy nominations for Best Actress and in 1994 was awarded a lifetime achievement award. In 1961 Elizabeth Taylor beat her to the Oscar for Butterfield 8 and Kerr’s role as a sheepdrover’s wife in Fred Zinnemann’s The Sundowners was overlooked. Kerr attended Ninette de Valois’s Sadler’s Wells Ballet School and at 20 she was cast in a Major Barbara (1941). She portrayed the English governess next to Yul Brynner in The King and I (1956) and the adulterous wife in From Here To Eternity (1953) with its steamy beach scene with Burt Lancaster and in Powell and Pressburger’s Black Narcissus (1947) and Heaven Knows, Mr Allison (1957) she played a nun. She described theatre as masochistic madness.
Related
Film Director Ken Russell Film Director Ken Russell
News 1972 3 mins Location: Torquay
Writer and Director Ken Russell explains his brush with The Devils.
Derek Jarman in Conversation with Simon Field Derek Jarman in Conversation with Simon Field
1989 32 mins
A far reaching interview with multifaceted artist Derek Jarman, conducted in 1987 by producer and critic Simon Field as part of the ICA Guardian Conversations series.
Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie
Inside Film 2016 35 mins
The actor discusses Jean-Luc Godard’s film about a young woman who drifts into prostitution, and her relationship with the director.
Vanessa Redgrave Vanessa Redgrave
Inside Film 1968 29 mins
Political beliefs and public profile is the core of Redgrave's interview, conducted at a time of immense upheaval in British life.
James Fox James Fox
Inside Film 1968 19 mins
Happy and relaxed dialogue with the then 28-year-old actor, covering his rise to fame and plans for the future.
Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Dashcam Dashcam
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Dorset
Automated enforcement is the new way police are clamping down on traffic offenders.
Britain, Kingdom of the Seas Britain, Kingdom of the Seas
1981 29 mins Location: Devon
Conservationists stand guard as the National Trust and National Trust for Scotland keep a vigilant watch on the UK’s coastline
Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends
Amateur film 1931 11 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
William Craven-Ellis records the antics of family and friends in his garden, on the beach and in and around Southampton
The Set of Far from the Madding Crowd The Set of Far from the Madding Crowd
News 1967 10 mins Location: Dorset
Julie Christie and Alan Bates entertain us as Hardy’s book is brought to life.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.