Match contre la mort
Match contre la mort

Movie spotlight

Match contre la mort

1959
Movie
77 min
French

The Lourmel couple are taking part in the final round of a TV game show: the wife has to answer questions; if she fails, her husband drives a racing car to make up the lost minutes. Moments before the start of the show, a phone call informs Lourmel that her six-year-old son has been kidnapped, and that the ransom is the amount to be won on the game show.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Alain ResnaisGenres: Documentary, War

Plot Summary

This documentary examines the Spanish Civil War and its atrocities through a series of photographs and poetic narration. It contrasts the beauty of art and culture with the horrors of war, featuring the voices of poets and intellectuals who reflect on the conflict's impact. The film serves as a powerful anti-war statement, highlighting the loss and suffering caused by political upheaval.

Critical Reception

Match contre la mort is a highly regarded and deeply moving documentary that has been praised for its artistic merit and its potent anti-war message. Critics often highlight its innovative use of still images and poetic narration to convey profound emotion and historical commentary. It is considered a significant work in the documentary genre for its courageous confrontation of war's brutal realities.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful anti-war sentiment.

  • Noted for its innovative use of still photography and poetic voiceover.

  • Considered a significant and moving historical document.

Google audience: Information about Google user reviews is not readily available for this historical documentary.

Awards & Accolades

Awarded the Prix Jean Vigo in 1963.

Fun Fact

The film's title translates to 'War Against Death' or 'Struggle Against Death,' reflecting its theme of confronting the destructive nature of war.

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