1946 Directed by Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell
When a young airman miraculously survives bailing out of his aeroplane without a parachute, he falls in love with an American radio operator. But the officials in the other world realise their mistake, and despatch an angel to collect him.
The December Challenge: Film #100
What is life without love?
This is a question at the heart of Powell and Pressburger’s classic, A Matter of Life and Death: a movie I adore unreservedly and the only fitting choice for my 100th film of the December Challenge.
It seems to me that your first introduction to the work of The Archers often ends up becoming a lifelong favourite. Their films, particularly those made between ‘43-’48, are magical and transformative experiences that open your eyes to a whole new world of cinema you never even knew existed. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that your first taste is always going to be the sweetest and most enduring. Whilst A Matter of Life and Death…
I LOVED this!
With a wonderful opening that's eerily reminiscent of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life from the same year, but far superior in both execution and elocution, and a central conceit that may have been influenced by Alexander Hall’s Here Comes Mr. Jordan, but turned on its head, A Matter of Life and Death is simply charming.
There’s something about that particular time where it’s ok for true love to blossom in the space of minutes over the wireless. We believe it. Completely. When by chance, and I’m so glad that chance always works for the better in these types of films, our soon to be lovers meet, against all odds on heaven and earth, you know this…
I had seen this back in the day when I was a young pup under the title of "Stairway To Heaven" and loved it! David Niven and Kim Hunter were wonderful together as the star crossed lovers!
A marvelously charming and whimsical tale that was a real treat to watch!
My one and only gripe was the totally unnecessary and quite frankly unwanted heavy handed spiel about this American versus British garbage! Barring that little misstep it's still a winner in my book!
Film was recommended by Viktor Prentovski via my Movie Request Hotline List! Thank You Viktor for recommending it, it was a real blast from the past!
Part of The Archers Season - 1942 to 1957
If I had been smart, I would have prepared myself for this review by finding an online thesaurus and finding all the synonyms for 'wonderful' that I could possibly could.
I didn't do that, though, because I was too busy watching this film. It was a completely different experience watching this today compared to when I first saw it as a 19 year old. Back then my film tastes were not particularly defined (in fact, they're still not) and I was just watching anything that was on and that I fancied the look of. I didn't know anything about A Matter Of Life And Death when it came on Channel 4…
Film #21 of Project 40
”A weak mind isn't strong enough to hurt itself. Stupidity has saved many a man from going mad.”
The eternal power of true love. That seems to be a very clichéd statement, something that has been repeated so many times in cinema, soap operas and teenage romance novels that has lost its meaning and power. But long before all these heartless romantic fiesta that surrounds us these days two visionary, incredible and modernistic artists created something which even by today’s standards and after all the technological and structural advancements of cinema looks avant-garde, profound and technically breathtaking. A Matter of Life and Death is a movie full of fine thematic, anatomical and technical details meaning…
"Nothing is stronger than love!"
One of the most wildly imaginative films I've ever seen, both in the context of its time and by contemporary standards. The concept is one that's been imitated countless times since, but it still feels so powerful, as none of its copies have been anywhere near as broad in scope. The world is so vivid, furthered by the beautiful cinematography, colors, and set pieces. The central romance starts out with a burning passion, and I never questioned how quickly these two fell for one another. Commentary on love and romance is blended effortlessly with themes of patriotism, American versus English culture, and of course, the meaning of life itself. This same exact narrative of a…
After an emotional beginning, I was bored through most of the rest. The romance was lackluster and not developed well at all. Roger Livesey was the standout performer.
I am a big fan of bureaucracy after death storylines (Defending Your Life, Beetlejuice. etc.) so this film already makes me happy just for incorporating that. The flipping of expectations regarding colour (the Other World being in black and white, Earth being in Technicolor) was a superb choice that worked to show why David Niven's character wanted to stay on Earth. There were lots more closeups than I expected (based on some other works of The Archers), and there are some great special effects and neat shots (the POV of the eye closing from behind the eyelid is one such example). I did not like this as much as 'Colonel Blimp' or 'Black Narcissus', but it is still a great British film.
I couldn't have picked a more British film to kick off my Eurotrip hype train (I'll be visiting for the first time in November).
This film is British to the marrow. "Stiff upper lip" determination, dry humor, intellectual evaluation of religion, "love conquers all" romanticism, over-emphasis on proper etiquette, etc.
A classic film by the Arrow Brothers and Jack Cardiff. If you love Technicolor and that "stagey" early Hollywood feel, this one is for you.
Still a relatively hidden treasure in the States.
Maybe the Archers' most flawless movie (it lacks the histrionics of Black Narcissus and the overlength of Red Shoes and Colonel Blimp - five-star masterpieces all of them, you understand), and certainly the best work David Niven or Kim Hunter ever did onscreen. As full of psychological and philosophical depth as you want it to be, as easy and accessible a pop romantic drama as you could hope for.
Plus, it's one of the top-five most gorgeous Technicolor films out there. Even the dead French aristocrat agrees with that.
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twitter.com/edgarwright/status/758339515421433856 mubi.com/lists/edgar-wrights-favorite-movies
Dave Vis 250 films
The Letterboxd Top 250 movies, based on the average weighted rating of all Letterboxd users. I chose to remove all…
