A Matter of Life and Death

12/25/19461h 44m

Theatrical (limited) Release (US)

~ Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart! ~

Overview:

When a young RAF pilot miraculously survives bailing out of his aeroplane without a parachute, he falls in love with an American radio operator. But the officials in the other world realise their mistake and dispatch an angel to collect him.

Director:

Emeric Pressburger

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

court case
england
angel
world war ii
heaven
bicycle
lighthearted
witty
whimsical
adoring
cheerful

Cast

David Niven

~ as ~

Peter Carter

Kim Hunter

~ as ~

June

Roger Livesey

~ as ~

Doctor Reeves

Marius Goring

~ as ~

Conductor 71

Robert Coote

~ as ~

Bob Trubshawe

Kathleen Byron

~ as ~

An Angel

Richard Attenborough

~ as ~

An English Pilot

Bonar Colleano

~ as ~

An American Pilot

Joan Maude

~ as ~

Chief Recorder

Robert Atkins

~ as ~

The Vicar

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 2 year(s) ago
7
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.