The Fight For Life is a 1940 American docudrama feature film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pare Lorentz. The movie embodies a significant shift from the institutional and environmental focus of Lorentz's previous films to a more intimate, human-centered story, without abandoning his distinctive, profound social commentary or technical prowess.

The movie breaks the ground on various fronts not only as a production but also regarding the subject it represents- the state of pregnancy, childbirth, and infant mortality during the time. Based on Paul De Kruif's book of the same name, it paints a realistic portrayal of the period's medical profession, particularly the training that doctors underwent at American teaching hospitals to become equipped to deal with life-threatening situations in obstetrics.

Taking its setting in a Chicago maternity hospital, The Fight For Life dispenses with professional actors and conventional plotlines. It remains more of a "filmic record," a vivid depiction of the life-and-death struggles that happen daily in such an arena where existence is a constant battle. It sought to explore the profound clash between life and death in the context of childbirth, often detailing harrowing circumstances, but eventually shining light on medical advancements and the determination to uplift public health conditions via proper education of potential physicians.

Uniquely, the film introduces professional medical staff, including doctors, nurses, and aspiring physicians from the Chicago Maternity Center, as its cast. Their nuanced performances add even greater authenticity and authority to the narrative. Many of these non-actor medical practitioners were seen battling high infant mortality rates, challenging birth complications, and the overall grim public health situation around pregnancies. Weaving scenes from various emergencies, surgeries, and newborn care, the film showcases the minutiae of doctors' training in a large urban hospital.

The story follows a young intern named John, who is initially overwhelmed by the immense responsibility but grows in confidence and capability under the guidance of his mentors and his experiences. Following his journey, the film subtly focuses on the broader picture of the need for improved pre and post-natal care along with suckling care, and how the right training and dedication can mitigate the risks involved while handling such sensitive medical conditions.

Let's not forget the evolving filming techniques of the period and the unparalleled vision of Lorentz, as he utilized lighter cameras to navigate through the real-life hospital alleyways, delivery rooms, operating theatres, with a documentary-style approach, which felt intimate and powerful in a very unfiltered way. He combined the practices of journalistic and poetic realism to narrate a life-affirming tale of struggle and eventual triumph.

While focusing heavily on the medical aspect, it is the interpersonal and social contexts artistically embedded that really fill out the picture. The movie is also an exhibition of social and racial disparities; putting on display the real perils of disadvantaged communities – their inability to access appropriate medical care due to such inequalities – which was a grave concern in the United States during that era.

The Fight for Life is a brave, ethically driven movie that sought to inspire medical reform. But it's also a testament to the soaring hope that humanity carries even when it's shoved against harshest adversities – it is about how we continue to fight for life in all circumstances. It is compellingly stark, often emotionally stirring, and unfailingly honest in its depiction of human vulnerability and resilience, which makes it not just an important social document of its time, but a timeless piece of cinematic brilliance.

The movie might be of special interest to viewers keen on medical history, documentary-style movies, or the oeuvre of Pare Lorentz. Its combination of influential social commentary, innovative filmmaking, and unprecedented authenticity make The Fight for Life an enduring classic in the annals of American cinema. Proving once again Lorentz's artistic prowess and his deep-seated belief in the power of film as an instrument for positive social change.