Powell, Dilys

▪ 1996

      British motion-picture critic (b. July 20, 1901—d. June 3, 1995, London, England), as the outspoken film critic for The Sunday Times (1939-79) and Punch (1979-92) and then as The Sunday Times's reviewer for movies shown on British television (1976-95), wielded enormous power over the success or failure of virtually every screen actor and every film shown in Britain for more than half a century. Powell studied modern languages at Somerville College, Oxford, began writing for The Sunday Times in 1928, and joined the staff full-time in 1936. Her first movie review appeared on March 26, 1939. Although Powell seldom analyzed the technical aspects of filmmaking, she was generally praised for her clear insights, her passionate love for the industry, and her willingness to fight for films, actors, and directors she admired. She was also one of the first British critics to champion such highly technical directors as Orson Welles, John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Steven Spielberg. Many of her reviews were collected into book form, as were her personal recollections and memoirs. Powell was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1974.

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