''The High and the Mighty'', 1954 - art by Luigi Martinati
by Movie World Posters
Title
''The High and the Mighty'', 1954 - art by Luigi Martinati
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''The High and the Mighty'', a 1954 American aviation disaster film directed by William A. Wellman and based on a novel of the same name by Ernest K. Gann. The film is notable for its ensemble cast, with John Wayne in one of the leading roles. It was one of the early examples of the disaster film genre and had a significant influence on subsequent films of this type.
The story revolves around a commercial flight, Transocean Airlines Flight 420, as it travels from Honolulu to San Francisco. The film's plot primarily unfolds within the confines of the airplane, with the passengers and crew facing various challenges and crises during the flight. As the plane encounters engine trouble and severe weather conditions over the Pacific Ocean, tensions rise, and the characters must confront their fears and personal demons.
John Wayne plays the role of Captain Dan Roman, the experienced and stoic pilot who must lead the crew and passengers through the harrowing ordeal. Wayne's character is haunted by a past tragedy, adding depth to his portrayal. The film also features Robert Stack as the co-pilot, along with an ensemble cast of passengers, each with their own backstory and emotional baggage.
"The High and the Mighty" is known for its suspenseful and dramatic moments, as well as its groundbreaking use of special effects for the time. The film's title is derived from the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr., which emphasizes the adventurous spirit of aviation.
The movie was a commercial success upon its release and received critical acclaim for its performances and technical achievements. It was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Supporting Actress for Jan Sterling. The film's score, composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, also became iconic and won the Oscar for Best Original Score.
"The High and the Mighty" remains a classic in the aviation disaster genre and is remembered for its suspenseful storytelling and the charismatic presence of John Wayne as the heroic captain. It has continued to be celebrated by aviation enthusiasts and fans of classic cinema over the years.
About the poster artist:
Luigi Martinati (1893-1983), born in Florence, Italy, on Dec. 31, 1893, was a significant Italian illustrator and painter. He spent most of his career creating artwork for film posters.
While growing up in Florence, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, then moved to Rome in 1911 when he was 18. There, he worked as an apprentice for film poster artist Federico Ballester (1868-1926), the father of Anselmo Ballester, who also became a poster artist.
Between 1923 and 1941, he devoted himself to advertising illustration. He designed posters of various subjects and themes, from commercial advertising billboards to tourist signs to political posters to significant celebratory events.
He later became the director of IGAP (Impresa Generale Affissioni PubblicitĂ ), a leading advertising agency in Rome. In that role, he began collaborating with various film companies, primarily Warner Brothers studios. Soon after World War II, the advertising sector became dedicated exclusively to movie illustrations.
In the mid-1940s, he teamed up with two other painters of Italian film posters, Anselmo Ballester and Alfredo Capitani. Together, they founded BCM studio (using letters from their surnames) and dedicated their efforts exclusively to producing film posters.
Martinati's images typically invoked robust realism. His style was characterized by a foreground depicting a large portrait with a minor scene in the background. He also stands out for his technique, which focused on the strength of the subjects without lingering on details and particulars. The heroes of Martinati posters are realistic and believable, with few exaggerated expressions or poses..
In 1959, he cut back on his partnership with Warner Brothers and other film production and distribution companies. By 1967, he discontinued his successful career as a film poster artist to work primarily as an easel painter.
He died in Rome in 1983 at the age of 90.
To see some of his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
Uploaded
February 8th, 2022
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