tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post2200524202647622900..comments2024-01-25T07:08:17.130-05:00Comments on 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: A Matter of Life and Death (1946) ***Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-32359407506653195552014-03-12T12:27:07.471-04:002014-03-12T12:27:07.471-04:00You're right, TS, this is probably Roger Lives...You're right, TS, this is probably Roger Livesey's finest on-screen performance. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-69862093649095933632014-03-10T08:54:31.339-04:002014-03-10T08:54:31.339-04:00Great review and you are right on all accounts. Te...Great review and you are right on all accounts. Technically this is a.masterpiece. Storywise more so-so, but there is an element you failed to mention: the great acting performances. Especially Roger Livesey is outstanding, probably the best I have seen from him so far.TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-28524414823647695202012-03-29T03:43:53.447-04:002012-03-29T03:43:53.447-04:00Cardiff was a master. P& P were so lucky that ...Cardiff was a master. P& P were so lucky that they had him as their cinematographer on many of their films.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-49948501411342350192012-03-29T00:37:08.887-04:002012-03-29T00:37:08.887-04:00Kim, this is one of the P&P movies I find myse...Kim, this is one of the P&P movies I find myself revisiting time and time again...and it's precisely for the reason you state in the piece: the tremendous artistry. I fall in love with that amazing b&w cinematography in <b>A Matter of Life and Death</b> every single time I see the movie (the last time was on TCM, and I was lucky enough to record myself a copy). Jack Cardiff is considered one of the true Technicolor masters, but I think <b>Matter</b> is solid proof that he was no slouch when it came to the monochromatic palette, either. Terrific review!Ivan G Shreve Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04067177808320053382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-76168410780780093722012-03-26T12:37:06.355-04:002012-03-26T12:37:06.355-04:00R.D., I thought it was interesting that they were ...R.D., I thought it was interesting that they were so set on their vision for this film that they would wait out the war to get the film stock they needed. And, you're right about the monochrome. They wanted to create a Other World that appeared ethereal. Thanks for your insightful comments.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-5303860556075539502012-03-26T02:20:16.574-04:002012-03-26T02:20:16.574-04:00"What I like most about 'A Matter of Life..."What I like most about 'A Matter of Life and Death' is its distinctive artistry." That's a succinct description of this film's tremendous appeal. It's the most overtly "artistic" picture Powell & Pressburger ever did, even more so than "The Red Shoes" (which for art appeal certainly gives it a run for its money, as does "The Tales of Hoffman"). Michael Powell said it was his favorite of all the P&P films, and you can see the love that went into it. They actually started planning the film in 1944 but had to delay making it because no more Technicolor film stock was available for civilian films for the duration of the war. And they knew that color was essential to their vision of the film. They made "I Know Where I'm Going!" instead but continued to plan this film. Maybe the extra long gestation period contributed to its unique and fully realized visuals and atmosphere.<br /><br />You mention the b&w Other World sequences. Powell writes that these were actually done in what he calls "monochrome." They were shot on Technicolor film stock then printed without using the color dyes. It was an idea cinematographer Jack Cardiff came up with to give the Other World an especially--well, otherworldly look, that slightly metallic tone of the photography in those sequences.<br /><br />A great post and some great comments too. Like Caftan Woman, I find this film immensely rewatchable. It's one that for me just gets better and always amazes. And like Rick, I'm a great admirer of that camera obscura sequence.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-76460735916421610362012-03-26T00:36:50.542-04:002012-03-26T00:36:50.542-04:00Cardiff always did great work. He and Toland were...Cardiff always did great work. He and Toland were in a league of their own. As always, I'm glad you enjoyed my reflection---stop by more often!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-4228706473989329782012-03-26T00:35:13.644-04:002012-03-26T00:35:13.644-04:00Yes, you MUST!Yes, you MUST!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-4288399300847362312012-03-26T00:34:50.434-04:002012-03-26T00:34:50.434-04:00How can one of the biggest fans of The Red Shoes n...How can one of the biggest fans of The Red Shoes not seen this? LOL! Glad you thought the post was good.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-46480086891069786662012-03-26T00:33:23.657-04:002012-03-26T00:33:23.657-04:00Gypsy, you had a treat watching this and The Red S...Gypsy, you had a treat watching this and The Red Shoes up on the big screen. I suspect you are right on about watching their artistic visions in the format for which they were created.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-11043485642945519092012-03-26T00:31:18.344-04:002012-03-26T00:31:18.344-04:00Good point about the camera obscura--I forgot to m...Good point about the camera obscura--I forgot to mention how awesome that was, too.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-17344601430220157302012-03-26T00:30:03.769-04:002012-03-26T00:30:03.769-04:00Page, you have to come out of your wonderfully fun...Page, you have to come out of your wonderfully funny world and watch more P & P! Thanks for reading.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-2619964389565746052012-03-26T00:28:50.674-04:002012-03-26T00:28:50.674-04:00CW, love your play on words! You are right about ...CW, love your play on words! You are right about this being a film from which you never tire.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-61531896282461767012012-03-26T00:27:45.269-04:002012-03-26T00:27:45.269-04:00John, they definitely stretched the boundaries of ...John, they definitely stretched the boundaries of creativity. I think this is why their films are so unique. The opening scene is very reminiscent of parts of Malick's Tree of Life and Kubrick's 2001.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-59468239595586579552012-03-26T00:26:11.398-04:002012-03-26T00:26:11.398-04:00Dawn, I wouldn't classify this as a war film. ...Dawn, I wouldn't classify this as a war film. More of a dramatic love story set at the end of the war.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-72598423412142855392012-03-25T22:31:59.381-04:002012-03-25T22:31:59.381-04:00Kim, I love your analysis of the artistic elements...Kim, I love your analysis of the artistic elements of "A Matter of Life and Death." And you are so right about Jack Cardiff's masterful work. This was a thought-provoking post and I really enjoyed it.toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-56035118704503733922012-03-25T18:50:44.653-04:002012-03-25T18:50:44.653-04:00Kim, I can't wait to see this one. You've ...Kim, I can't wait to see this one. You've done a great job of making me realize I MUST see this soon since I'm a Powell/Pressburger fan.Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-89045002081183354742012-03-25T17:53:49.974-04:002012-03-25T17:53:49.974-04:00One can watch this movie on YouTube.One can watch this movie on YouTube.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-57439416782906122222012-03-25T16:56:03.263-04:002012-03-25T16:56:03.263-04:00Kim, I love Powell and Pressberger, yet I have nev...Kim, I love Powell and Pressberger, yet I have never seen this movie. Your description makes it sound like my kind of film. Your comment "...what an inspired way to begin a supremely unique endeavor..." is intriguing, and makes me eager to see it. I think you are quite right that the way this movie was made must have been inspirational to a filmmaker like Kubrick. The scenes you describe as shown in your post are really beautiful. Wonderful analysis and very well-written article, Kim!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-90972526525356325122012-03-25T16:47:21.676-04:002012-03-25T16:47:21.676-04:00The world of a Powell & Pressburger film can r...The world of a Powell & Pressburger film can range from the esoteric to the mundane, but one element links them all: a unique blend of artistic vision and profound storytelling. I was first introduced to this film as part of a double-feature with “The Red Shoes” screened at a local museum. I admit seeing both films in this format spoiled me for watching them on television; the experience simply isn’t the same. I remember being aware that whether the subject was the insular world of ballet or the grandness of the universe, P&P found the means to communicate both in a stunning visual vocabulary and made each a fundamentally personal story.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-88778233419145659962012-03-25T13:59:27.551-04:002012-03-25T13:59:27.551-04:00Kim, this is my second favorite Powell & Press...Kim, this is my second favorite Powell & Pressberger film and your excellent review has done its justice. It's an artistic masterpiece in terms of innovative set design, use of color, and (as you wrote) creating two distinctive worlds. And yet, The Archers never let technique overpower emotion, for it's the poignant scenes between David Niven and Kim Hunter that drive the narrative structure. If those didn't resonate, then the film wouldn't work at all. I love your line about how the film "exhibit(s) the vastness of the universe and the smallness of human existence." That theme is reinforced with scene with the camera obscura in Dr. Reeves' office, which turns the residents of the village into small moving figures against a giant backdrop.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-2668021284943454602012-03-25T13:57:43.600-04:002012-03-25T13:57:43.600-04:00Kim,
I knew nothing about the Powell/Pressburger c...Kim,<br />I knew nothing about the Powell/Pressburger collaborations until Rick introduced this blogathon. It's been great getting to learn new info about this talented pairing.<br /><br />Interesting that Matter of Life and Death was made with a focus of propaganda during the war. I'll now keep that in mind when viewing it again.<br /><br />I did notice the 'freeze frame' but I didn't know what in the world to call it so thanks for that too! : )<br />An interesting and very information read on a good film.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-37600867555981480542012-03-25T11:50:22.987-04:002012-03-25T11:50:22.987-04:00"A Matter of Life and Death" is the sort..."A Matter of Life and Death" is the sort of film that has so many enthralling aspects that you can never tire of watching it, because with each viewing you encounter a new perspective in the story and its telling that engages your imagination. <br /><br />Your article gives much to think about for the returning fan or first viewer. "The Archers" and Kim hit a bullseye.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-80127752901815401462012-03-25T11:04:09.983-04:002012-03-25T11:04:09.983-04:00Kim,
Have not seen this but the film sounds fasci...Kim,<br /><br />Have not seen this but the film sounds fascinating and innovative. Powell and Pressburger seemed to stretch the creative boundaries with each film they made. The comparison to Kubrick and Malick is interesting as well as enticing. Terrific descriptive review here Kim!<br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-66792690263077234322012-03-25T10:41:03.797-04:002012-03-25T10:41:03.797-04:00Kim, I have not yet seen this film, but... it soun...Kim, I have not yet seen this film, but... it sounds like it showcases the horrors of war for both military and civilians. From the pictures it looks like a beautiful film. I will look for it..Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.com