This collection investigates the evolution of cinema through the lens of one of Britain's most influential critics, questioning how film criticism functions as both a historical record and an art form. Dilys Powell, a long-standing critic for the Sunday Times and Punch, utilizes her extensive career spanning over five decades to provide a comprehensive assessment of the medium. The book presents a curated selection of her reviews and essays, organized thematically to demonstrate her analytical framework regarding the development of global cinema and the shifting standards of film evaluation.

Critics and film historians regard this collection as a foundational text for understanding the development of mid-twentieth-century British film criticism. Readers frequently note the accessibility of Powell's prose, which balances professional rigor with an engaging, personal voice.