A Matter Of Life And Death (1946) - Emeric Pressburger & Michael Powell

Returning from another successful bombing run during World War II, pilot Peter Carter's plane suffers critical damage which leaves his parachute in shambles.  With his copilot already killed, Peter begins to accept that this is the end of the road.  Hoping on the radio, Peter talks with June, a young American woman, with the two of them finding some type of solace in each other.  The plane crashes but Peter wakes up in the ocean, alive and well.  This turns out to be due to a supernatural mistake, with a mixup in Heaven accidentally giving Peter a second life on Earth.  When Heaven's 'Conductor" arrives on Earth to find Peter and correct the mistake it is already too late, Peter has met June and fallen in love.  With the mistake being no fault of his own, Peter convinces Heaven to give him a chance, granting a trial to argue his case for a second chance on earth.  Powell & Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death is an exceptional piece of filmmaking, possibly the most important Fantasy film ever made, which is one of those few films that can be equally enjoyed by both classic and contemporary film fans.   With A Matter of Life and Death, Powell and Pressburger have created a film of pure ingenuity that practically lives off its own creativity.  The art direction, cinematography, and direction are all top-notch, bringing this supernatural love story to life in a constantly unique and inventive ways.  While the film is a love story at its core, not much time is actually spent between June and Peter, with Powell and Pressburger seemingly more interested in dissecting the grander ideas around love, self-sacrifice, and free-will as opposed to exploring their main protagonist's personal intimacy.  Powell & Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death is a vibrant, enchanting film that lives off of its sheer creativeness, being a truly unforgettable fantasy story.  

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