In all honesty I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. Most films we have viewed so far have been screenings that have been beneficial due to the design work and I have viewed them looking out for this however this film was one I simply enjoyed watching for the plot and characters.
as a fan of science fiction films, the opening images of space immediately drew me in. These beautiful painterly images offered a great opening that was artistic and intriguing. The then sudden contrast of a vast space to our now small feeling planet, where war is at large creates sudden feeling of fear as we feel the devastation and destruction that is taking place. This would have been a very raw topic for viewers of the time with WW2 only just coming to an end and society living through the aftermath that followed.
Looking from the design point of view the set of the crashing plane was very successful having a claustrophobic atmosphere that created tension and panic. This contrast with the young woman on the phone only increased the devastation at the apparent fate. Whilst continuing to consider the design work a theme I found in this picture was these great images of vastness in the other world entered after death. The storage rooms, the staircase and the court all encapsulated this. Perhaps a comment on the devastation of war, and loss. Or perhaps a comment on the inevitability of death with the plot playing into the line between life and death.
I was intrigued by the black and white setting of heaven. It allowed for some beautiful transitions such as the rose changing from black and white to colour as the conductor moved between the other world and earth but I was also intrigued as to why this was chosen. It certainly creates a contrast between the two worlds but perhaps it symbolises the ambiguity of whether it was reality or simply a vision. Not knowing whether the other world was simply a vision or whether it was real really drew me in. This was a very interesting plot line and leaving it so open allows for the film to make you think long after it has finished. This story reflects on the devastation of war whilst also looking at a new, blossoming romance that can provide those living in the aftermath with some hope as well as some relief through entertainment and fantasy.
In conclusion Micheal Powell and Emeric Pressburger's romance film was a thought provoking watch that had an interesting plot, clever transitions and astonishing scenery.
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