1946 Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
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…
77/100
Second viewing, last seen 25 years ago, and boy did I not remember that the trial takes a lengthy, impassioned detour into Anglo-U.S. relations. Which isn't without interest, to be sure, but feels clumsily imposed upon this particular narrative, cross-pond romance notwithstanding. (Apparently, it was imposed...or, rather, the project was initially commissioned as a means of improving said relations. While that worked beautifully in A Canterbury Tale—my very favorite Archers production—it feels more like an afterthought here.) Also not keen on Goring's arch, twinkly performance, which stands in stark contrast to the Other World's bureaucratic vibe. Everything else, from Niven and Hunter's instant long-distance rapport in the extraordinary opening sequence (one of very few "love at first sight" encounters…
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…
La solvencia audiovisual y elegancia en sus historias del binomio Powell / Pressburger no tiene reflejo en nuestros días.
Se que es algo categórico dicho de esta manera pero viendo películas como esta sobrenatural historia de amor llamada "A vida o muerte", más fuerte es la creencia de la primera afirmación.
Obviamente, no saco de la ecuación a Jack Cardiff.
I gotta say, this was a tiny bit of a disappointment. Having loved both Red Shoes and Colonel Blimp and having heard so many great things about this one, I was expecting a new favorite. What I got instead was a rather magical but slightly underwhelming experience. I was still in awe at the creativity of the pair of the directors, the jaw-dropping sets, the incredible heights of the screenplay and the ever so charming Roger Livesey. However, the extended trial scene focused way too much on the politics of the affair and kind of loses the beautiful romantic touch of the film and makes it less a personal story and more a symbol for something that didn't quite get me so enthusiastic.
Film 5/15 of my August 2018 Watchlist
3.5.
Great start, super charming and magical, but the second half is weighed down by a very I'll fitting legal trial of the US can England more or less. Powell and co make weird, ambitious haunting movies full of passion.
Hasn't aged a day even though it's undivorceable from its (immediate!) post-WWII context. It works as both a psychological drama and a fantasy romance—the former, more mundane reading is somehow more interesting because it turns this into something of a treatise on trauma and grief as well as a love story.
Also, this and The Red Shoes contain some of the coolest animation/live-action interplay ever. The cosmic intro is stunning, a group of characters are able to walk through a window because it's drawn onto the scene, and one transition shot had me wondering what in the fuck I was looking at (in a good way).
Powell + Pressburger are 2 for 2 in my book; so far their films are extremely engaging and imaginative works that I'd recommend to anyone skeptical of the appeal of "old movies."
A Matter of Life and Death is simply one of the most visually beautiful classical films ever made. It belongs among the greats of cinema. I had just had a sad passing of a family member, and the thought provoking themes of life and death and especially the afterlife spoke to me so fittingly at this time. Recommend it to film buffs and cinephiles alike. 5 Out Of 5. Night7.
A beautiful technicolor masterpiece with dazzling visuals, solid acting and a great story.
Gorgeous. The story here is pure magic, but it’s in the execute that this one truly shines. Powell & Pressburger frame each shot beautifully, and move the cameras through each scene with in a way not often seen at the time (or now, thinking of it). The cinematography is jaw-dropping, whether it be in eye-popping technicolor or rich black-and-white. And those transitions and dissolves… my God!!
I thought I remembered this movie from the first time I saw it, but truly forgot everything. Why did I only remember the serious war drama stuff? This movie is charming and romantic, very funny, and absolutely beautiful. Jack Cardiff's photography is completely mesmerizing, and I was dumbfounded trying to figure out how this man accomplished these special effects back in 1946. Powell & Pressburger are possibly my favorite filmmakers (top three at least?) and I have so much undying respect for their work.
Delightful fantasy film about an English WWII pilot shot down who was supposed to go to the afterlife and his appeal to remain on Earth when he falls in love. The film uses Technicolor for the Earth scenes, creating a theme of life being a lot more colorful than death.
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