#1 Cheap Michael Powell Double Feature (Age of Consent, Stairway to Heaven) Reviews
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I think the original title, 'A Matter of Life and Death', is far more explicit than the North American, 'Stairway to Heaven'.
The first time I saw the film I was in my early teens and felt it offered a far more interesting view of an 'after-life' than the vague religious idea the church tried to depict.
In 1949 while serving with the RAF I flew on a liaison mission with the USAAF. We landed at Los Angeles and during our brief stay were entertained by Hollywood. I met David Niven at that time and we corresponded for many years -- his letters were full of comic comments on his movies.
'A Matter of Life and Death' is quite an historical film as it demonstrates the incredible amount of work that had to be put into special effects long before FX technology was developed. Michael Powell had to work with cut and paste filmwork and extensive manpower for things like his moving staircase.
Having the film on DVD means that I will probably rerun this one at least once each year.
David Chesterton
Michael Powell Double Feature (Age of Consent, Stairway to Heaven) Overview
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 01/06/2009
the master powell - Peter Andronas - Canada
Both films are shown in gorgeous transfers.
My review is really for STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN.
AGE OF CONSENT is a wonderful story which is filmed in a beautiful Australian setting but it is definitely a minor film from Powell albeit very entertaining.
Now his 1946 masterpiece STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN a.k.a A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, is one of the most sentimental films I've seen and I loved it for its obvious sentimentality! It is a visual and literary poem. Powell examines the effects of war on a dying soldier with romantic and fantastical elements in the process. There is love, philosophy and political convictions in the script. This film has definitely been a strong influence in various degrees of cinema. It captures the best of the lost silent film era visuals with the best of the written word. It is a testament to film art and in a way an adult fantasy in the likes of the imagination and whimsy of Wizard of Oz!
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