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IMDbPro

The Edge of the World

  • 19371937
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
  • Drama
  • History
  • Romance
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.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Powell
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell(story)
    • John L. Balderston(screenplay collaborator)
    • John Byrd(screenplay collaborator)
  • Stars
    • Niall MacGinnis
    • Belle Chrystall
    • John Laurie
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Powell
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell(story)
    • John L. Balderston(screenplay collaborator)
    • John Byrd(screenplay collaborator)
  • Stars
    • Niall MacGinnis
    • Belle Chrystall
    • John Laurie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Photos14

    Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
    The Edge of the World (1937)
    The Edge of the World (1937)
    Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
    The Edge of the World (1937)
    The Edge of the World (1937)
    The Edge of the World (1937)
    Eric Berry, Belle Chrystall, and Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
    Belle Chrystall and Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
    John Laurie in The Edge of the World (1937)
    Niall MacGinnis in The Edge of the World (1937)
    Michael Powell and Frankie Reidy in The Edge of the World (1937)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Niall MacGinnis
    Niall MacGinnis
    • The Gray Family: Andrew, His Sonas The Gray Family: Andrew, His Son
    • (as Niall Macginnis)
    Belle Chrystall
    Belle Chrystall
    • The Manson Family: Ruth, His Daughteras The Manson Family: Ruth, His Daughter
    John Laurie
    John Laurie
    • The Manson Family: Peteras The Manson Family: Peter
    Eric Berry
    • The Manson Family: Robbie, Her Brotheras The Manson Family: Robbie, Her Brother
    Kitty Kirwan
    • The Manson Family: Jean, Their Grandmotheras The Manson Family: Jean, Their Grandmother
    Finlay Currie
    Finlay Currie
    • The Gray Family: Jamesas The Gray Family: James
    Grant Sutherland
    • The Catechistas The Catechist
    Campbell Robson
    • The Lairdas The Laird
    George Summers
    • The Skipperas The Skipper
    James Garrioch
    • Doctor Attending Ruth's Baby in Lerwickas Doctor Attending Ruth's Baby in Lerwick
    • (uncredited)
    Andy Gear
    • Villager in Evacuationas Villager in Evacuation
    • (uncredited)
    Mima Gear
    • Villager in Evacuationas Villager in Evacuation
    • (uncredited)
    Wullie Gear
    • Fiddler at Hirta Reelas Fiddler at Hirta Reel
    • (uncredited)
    Aggie Jean Gray
    • Member of the Congregationas Member of the Congregation
    • (uncredited)
    Agnes 'Nannie' Gray
    • Member of the Congregationas Member of the Congregation
    • (uncredited)
    Edith Gray
    • Member of the Congregationas Member of the Congregation
    • (uncredited)
    James Andrew Gray
    • Member of the Congregationas Member of the Congregation
    • (uncredited)
    Jean 'Jeannie' Gray
    • Member of the Congregationas Member of the Congregation
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Michael Powell
    • Writers
      • Michael Powell(story)
      • John L. Balderston(screenplay collaborator) (uncredited)
      • John Byrd(screenplay collaborator) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In 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.
    • Goofs
      The 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
    • Connections
      Featured in Return to the Edge of the World (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Chorus
      (uncredited)

      Composer unknown

      Performed by The Glasgow Orpheus Choir

      Conducted by Hugh S. Roberton

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A rare look at Scotland
    An interesting film and well worth seeing for those interested in Scottish theme films. The comparison with Man of Aran is valid, in that it depicts an isolated island community struggling to eke out an existence.

    What was missing for me was even a hint at the language these island people of "Hirta" would have spoken, Scottish Gaelic. The church scene with its psalm singing was executed better than in "The Little Minister", but still without making an effort to portray the real thing. The singing was in English, using a Lowland style and the precentor did not chant the line, but read it! They had clearly not visited any Highland churches before preparing the scene.

    The documentary film, appended to this, "Return to the Edge of the World" was wonderful and I found it equally enjoyable.
    helpful•23
    1
    • Glaschu
    • Jan 18, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • I havets famn
    • Filming locations
      • Foula, Shetland, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Joe Rock Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £20,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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