A Matter of Life and Death

A Matter of Life and Death

1946-12-15 • 1h 44m •
Romance Fantasy Comedy War
7.8
User Score
434 votes

"Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!"

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.

Michael Powell

Director

Emeric Pressburger

Writer

Top Billed Cast

Movie Details

Status

Released

Original Language

en

Budget

$450,000

Revenue

$1,750,000

Runtime

1h 44m

Release Date

1946-12-15

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Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

2022-07-07T16:55:11.694Z

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.