Love flourishes in the Scottish Hebrides in this windswept enchantment from British cinema’s most passionate visionaries, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. “I know where I’m going!” declares headstrong, upwardly mobile Joan Webster (Wendy Hiller) en route to her marriage to a wealthy industrialist—until her carefully laid plans are blown away by a raging storm that leaves her stranded on an island off the Scottish coast with a dashing naval officer (Roger Livesey). Shot in ethereal black and white that enhances the almost mystical air of its setting—a folkloric world where legends and curses still hold sway—this beloved romance is one of cinema’s most stirring expressions of the eternal conflict between the head and the heart.

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Video Quality

The Criterion Collection presents I Know Where I’m Going on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of a sterling 4K restoration in the original 1.37:1 of the 35mm Nitrate Original Camera Negative and Nitrate Positives in 2160p SDR, as conducted by the BFI National Archive and The Film Foundation and supervised by filmmaker Martin Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell. Even without HDR implementation, this presentation is stunning and represents the film to its fullest extent. This release marks the first time this film has been made available on Blu-Ray domestically, which is also included in the package. The difference between the two discs is not a vast chasm, given they are from the same restoration and the lack of HDR, yet the 4K UHD Blu-Ray does win out with the full potential of the 4K restoration on display with a tighter encode. If you have been hoping to add this to your Powell and Pressburger collection, the wait has been well worth it.

This transfer maintains the filmic quality of the picture with fine film grain revealing a world of detail. The black and white cinematography of Erwin Hillier is quite fetching with consistent gradients and discrete textures. The frame showcases some valuable depth on the isle, which evokes a pleasing sense of scale within the settings. The restoration unveils plenty of textural details in the costumes and production design. The contrast remains stable and provides exceptional improvements in sharpness. Black levels are deep without any unwanted nuisances such as digital noise or compression artifacts, and highlights never stumble with blooming. The transfer has eliminated nearly all of the expected dust specks and print damage that you might observe from a film of this vintage. The Criterion Collection will make classic romance fans happy with this one.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a lovely, remastered LPCM 1.0 mono track with optional English SDH subtitles. Outside of some rocky waves on the sea during a latter part of the movie, this is not a particularly kinetic track, but all of the sounds come together to immerse you in this locale. After this sonic refresh, there do not seem to be any egregiously noticeable instances of age-related wear and tear such as hissing or popping. This track works to ensure that dialogue comes through clearly during all exchanges. Environmental sounds are rendered properly alongside everything else for a consistently pleasant experience. The score is stirring and heightens the emotional payoff without any shortcomings. Criterion has worked to give this release the audio quality it deserves.

Special Features

The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of I Know Where I’m Going includes a foldout pamphlet featuring the essay “In the Wind” by film scholar Imogen Sara Smith which explores the themes, the work of Powell and Pressburger, the legacy of the film, and more that is very illuminating. The on-disc special features are as follows:

Audio Commentary: An archival commentary track from 1994 featuring film historian Ian Christie in which he discusses how this film came to be, where it fits into the careers of Powell and Pressburger, the background of the performers, the thematic content, and more.

I Know Where I’m Going Revisited: A nearly 31-minute documentary from filmmaker Mark Cousins made in 1994, in which various film historians and talent from the film reflect on the legacy of the film.

Nancy Franklin Photo Essay: A nearly ten-minute collage of photographs from New Yorker critic Nancy Franklin, who visited Scottish islands Mull and Colonsay in 1994 and narrates the experience.

Michael Powell’s Home Movies: A seven-minute walking trek around Scotland conducted by Michael Powell is captured via home movies and is narrated by Powell’s widow, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell.

Behind-the-Scenes Stills: Another eight-minute piece with Thelma Schoonmaker Powell in which she narrates some behind-the-scenes photos from the production of the film, including work with costumes, character actors, location filming, and more.

Restoration Demonstration: A five-minute piece in which filmmaker Martin Scorsese discusses his love of Michael Powell, his work to preserve his films, and discovering I Know Where I’m Going. This opening is followed by a demonstration of the before-and-after restoration process with optional audio commentary from Thelma Schoonmaker Powell.

Final Thoughts

I Know Where I’m Going sets a high benchmark for a thematic template that has endured for decades with no signs of stopping. Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger bring their deft touch to this story that is filled with all of the stirring emotions you associate with these filmmakers. The duo at the core of this romance has an easy, believable chemistry with one another that sweeps you up in the whimsy of the narrative. When you bring all of this together, you are graced with one of the great romances of early cinema history. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a gorgeous A/V presentation and some valuable special features. This is a must-own for fans of the iconic filmmaking team. Recommended

The Criterion Collection edition of I Know Where I’m Going is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.