Watch The Fight for Life, 1940

The Fight for Life is a 1940 documentary film directed by Pare Lorentz, who also directed The Plow That Broke the Plains and The River. It tells the story of a maternity hospital in New York City, and how the staff and doctors work to save the lives of premature and sick babies. The film opens with a shot of the exterior of the hospital, and then cuts to a scene of a baby being born. We see doctors and nurses in the delivery room, working to bring the baby into the world safely. The film then introduces us to several premature babies who are fighting for their lives in the hospital’s incubators. These babies are incredibly small and fragile, and the staff must work around the clock to keep them alive.

The film shows us the various techniques that the doctors and nurses use to keep the babies alive. We see them feeding the babies with tiny droppers, and using oxygen masks to help them breathe. We also see the staff massaging the babies’ limbs to keep their blood flowing, and using hot water bottles to keep them warm.

Throughout the film, we also learn about the causes of premature births and infant mortality. We see how poverty and lack of access to medical care contribute to these problems. The film argues that every child has a right to life, and that it is the responsibility of society to ensure that all children have access to the care they need to survive.

The Fight for Life is notable for its use of music and poetic narration, which were common features of Lorentz’s documentaries. The film’s score was composed by Virgil Thomson, and features a mix of classical and modern music. The narration, which was written by Lorentz, is delivered in a slow, deliberate style, and is filled with poetic language and metaphors.

The film’s cinematography is also noteworthy, with its use of close-ups and extreme close-ups to show the tiny details of the premature babies’ bodies. We see the rise and fall of their chests as they breathe, and the movement of their fingers and toes. This attention to detail helps to emphasize the fragility of these babies, and makes their struggle for survival all the more poignant.

Overall, The Fight for Life is a moving and powerful documentary that highlights the importance of access to medical care for all children. It shows us the incredible dedication of the hospital staff to saving the lives of these premature babies, and reminds us of the value of every human life.