Thursday, January 12, 2012

Stairway to Heaven

A Matter of Life and Death (1946) - Powell/Pressburger
Photobucket
An English airman (David Niven) has a brief on-air conversation with a button nosed American radio operator, June (Kim Hunter) just before he jumps from his burning plane. It was supposed to be his last good bye to the world. But he finds himself washed up ashore, because a mistake was made upstairs. Blame goes to the horrible English weather. They try to recall him but he attests, citing that he had fallen in love with June. His plea is granted and the repeal process begins.

The film is a romantic fantasy in the highest order, sort of uplifting 'love conquers all' type right after the WWII. Not the type of films I normally watch. But it's very English and enjoyable. Constant back and forth between crazy Technicolor/B&W with great transitions to massive sets & matt paintings, and with real time freeze frames and reverse motions, the film is visually mad inventive. I can see its influence everywhere. It's a very charming film. Sad to see Dr. Frank go though.

No comments:

Post a Comment