''Stairway to Heaven'' - 1946 - art by Anselmo Ballester

A vintage movie poster of ''Stairway to Heaven'', (released in the United States as A Matter of Life and Death) is a British fantasy film released in... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Stairway to Heaven'' - 1946 - art by Anselmo Ballester

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Photograph

Description

A vintage movie poster of ''Stairway to Heaven'', (released in the United States as "A Matter of Life and Death") is a British fantasy film released in 1946. It was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who are known for their collaboration on visually striking and thought-provoking films.

The film tells the story of Peter Carter, an RAF pilot played by David Niven, who miraculously survives a parachute jump without a functioning parachute during World War II. As he drifts into unconsciousness, he makes radio contact with June, an American radio operator played by Kim Hunter. The two share a connection and fall in love over the radio waves.

However, Peter miraculously survives his fall, and when he wakes up, he believes he should have died and that there has been a celestial error. He must argue his case before a celestial court in the afterlife, represented by a diverse group of historical figures, to plead for his right to live. At the same time, June desperately searches for him in the real world.

"Stairway to Heaven" is notable for its blend of fantasy, romance, and wartime drama. The film explores themes of life, death, love, and the consequences of war. It raises profound questions about fate, morality, and the value of human life. The celestial sequences, where Peter argues his case in a heavenly court, are visually stunning and thought-provoking.

The film is also known for its creative use of color, as it transitions between black-and-white and Technicolor, with the earthly scenes in color and the heavenly scenes in black-and-white. This artistic choice enhances the contrast between the two realms and adds to the film's unique visual appeal.

"Stairway to Heaven" is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling, strong performances, and its ability to engage audiences in philosophical and existential discussions. It remains a classic in British cinema and is often regarded as one of the finest works of Powell and Pressburger, who were known for their innovative and thought-provoking films.

About the artist:

Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.

After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.

In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati

The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:

"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."

From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.

To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.

Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.

He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.

To see more of his posters search by his last name.

Uploaded

August 1st, 2021