Love and Death is a 1975 comedy film written, directed, and starring Woody Allen. The film is set in 19th-century Russia, during the Napoleon Wars, and follows the story of Allen's character, Boris Grushenko, a cowardly and neurotic serf who is drafted into the army despite his unwillingness to fight.
Boris is deeply in love with his beautiful and haughty cousin, Sonja (played by Diane Keaton), who is equally uninterested in him. He spends much of the film dreaming of ways to impress her and win her love, while also pondering the meaning of life and death.
Despite his lack of enthusiasm for the war, Boris is eventually hailed as a hero when he accidentally kills several French soldiers by hiding in a cannon and shooting himself at them. He quickly becomes a celebrity, but his newfound fame doesn't bring him any closer to winning over Sonja.
Throughout the film, Allen satirizes Russian literature, philosophy, and history, poking fun at everything from Tolstoy to Dostoevsky. There are also plenty of absurdist, slapstick moments, as well as clever wordplay and witty one-liners that are characteristic of Allen's style.
Love and Death is considered one of Allen's most ambitious and visually stylish films, with lavish sets and costumes that evoke the grandeur of 19th-century Russia. The film received positive reviews upon its release and has become a cult classic among fans of Allen's work.