A Matter of Life and Death

“Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!”

7.8

1946

1h 44m

RomanceFantasyDramaComedy

Director: Emeric Pressburger

Overview

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

Trailer

Official 4K Restoration Trailer Official

Cast

Peter Carter

David Niven

Peter Carter

June

Kim Hunter

June

Doctor Reeves

Roger Livesey

Doctor Reeves

Conductor 71

Marius Goring

Conductor 71

Bob Trubshawe

Robert Coote

Bob Trubshawe

An Angel

Kathleen Byron

An Angel

An English Pilot

Richard Attenborough

An English Pilot

An American Pilot

Bonar Colleano

An American Pilot

Chief Recorder

Joan Maude

Chief Recorder

The Vicar

Robert Atkins

The Vicar

Dr. Mc.Ewen

Edwin Max

Dr. Mc.Ewen

Mrs. Tucker

Betty Potter

Mrs. Tucker

Reviews

CinemaSerf

Jack Cardiff shows off the cinematographers art to beautiful effect in this Powell and Pressberger tale of a WWII pilot (David Niven) who cheats death, falls in love (with Kim Hunter) and then argues before a heavenly court why he should not have to die (yet) after all. The story is tinged with humour and pathos and poses some fairly basic "human rights" questions. Marius Goring - "Conductor 71" is slightly menacing and totally charming as he tries to persuade Niven to volunteer for his fate - a thankless task in itself. Roger Livesey is superb arguing for Niven with an equally impressive - if somewhat anti-English - Raymond Massey as his opponent. The stark contrast between the monochrome scenes on Earth and the vibrant colours of the celestial world bring much to this stylish, clever and at times almost dreamily presented joy.

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