You may have picked up that we're rather fond of the cinema of British maestro Michael Powell here at Outsider (check out Camus' reviews of The Powell and Pressburger Collection and Peeping Tom), so the news that one of his most remarkable yet rarely screened works is coming to Blu-ray later this month is, you could say, generating just a little excitement here. A powerful story of love, rivalry and survival against the harsh elemental realities of island life and an ever-encroaching modernity, The Edge of the World (1937) is to be released on Blu-ray by the BFI from a High Definition master, overseen and approved by Michael Powell's widow, award-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell.

Shot over four arduous months in the wild, windswept Shetland Islands, The Edge of the World was legendary British director Michael Powell's first independent production and established the daring techniques and experimentation that would become familiar hallmarks of his career.

Stirring performances from a strong cast, including the inimitable John Laurie (The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The 39 Steps, Dad's Army) as the Island's fiercely proud patriarch and the dashing Niall MacGinnis as a wounded lover, inject a warm liveliness that belies the extremity of the weather.

Previously released on DVD by the BFI, this Blu-ray release now also contains additional scenes and the original trailer. Among the many extras is a full feature commentary by Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell and Professor Ian Christie, with extracts from Powell's book about the making of the film, 200,000 feet on Foula read by Daniel Day-Lewis. It will be released by the BFI on 23rd August 2010 at the RRP of £19.99 with the following extra features (all visual conten t is presented in high definition):

• Full-feature commentary by Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell and Professor Ian Christie with extracts from Powell's book about the making of the film, 200,000 feet on Foula read by Daniel Day-Lewis;
• Alternative scenes (1944, 9 mins): specially shot for a shorter version of the film released in 1944;
• Original trailer (2 mins);
• Return to the Edge of the World (Michael Powell, 1979, 24 mins): Michael Powell and actor John Laurie journey to the island of Foula to see what has changed in the 42 years since they filmed The Edge of the World there;
• Michael Powell's home movies narrated by Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell (c. 1955, 7 mins): Powell and friends on a hiking expedition in the Scottish highlands;
• St Kilda – Britain's Loneliest Isle (Topical Productions, 1928/1923, 16 mins): a travelogue from St. Kilda;
• Fully illustrated 26-page booklet with new essay by Professor Ian Christie, a contemporary review, promotional materials and credits.