A Matter of Life and Death| Review

Few British filmmakers have gone down in cinema history for not only one great film, but many. Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's masterpiece of a film catalog sustains the pair as going down as some of the greatest British directors of all time. Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death, The Red Shoes, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, and Peeping Tom are all masterpieces in their own right, or so I've heard for some of them that are still on my Watch list. The likes of which could be compared to the great Stanley Kubrick or Alfred Hitchcock. Britain has produced some very talented filmmakers like Carol Reed, David Lean(easily one of the best as well), Danny Boyle, and, of course, Alfred Hitchcock! Hitchcock in my mind could be considered a rival to both Powell and Pressburger, but depending on how you stand on film making could be either defeated by or claim victory over the duo.

Beautiful cinematography, atmospheric, vastly entertaining, and oozing creativity, A Matter of Life and Death succeeds in having wide appeal and at the same time bringing art-house themes to a wider audience. Alluring and beautiful images that could be hung on any wall are instead masterfully presented in the film. The cinematographer makes great use of the technicolor at the time to create images on a whole new parallel.

Despite having little recognition over the years, A Matter of Life and Death is essential viewing for any film lover and ranks as one of the best British films, and international, of all time.

Time Stamp: March 17, 2020