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poster of A Matter of Life and Death
Rating: 7.7/10 by 409 users

A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

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.

Directing:
  • Emeric Pressburger
  • Michael Powell
  • Parry Jones Jr.
Writing:
  • Michael Powell
  • Emeric Pressburger
Stars:
Release Date: Sun, Dec 15, 1946

Rating: 7.7/10 by 409 users

Alternative Title:
Stairway to Heaven - US
Neste Mundo e No Outro - BR
A vida o muerte - ES
Irrtum im Jenseits - DE
Une question de vie ou de mort - FR
Een Zaak van Leven en Dood - NL
Een zaak op leven en dood - BE
Въпрос на живот и смърт - BG
Pitanje života i smrti - HR
Otázka zivota a smrti - XC
En sag om liv eller død - DK
Kysymys elämästä ja kuolemasta - FI
Ζήτημα ζωής και θανάτου - GR
Diadalmas szerelem - HU
Scala al paradiso - IT
天国への階段 - JP
Escalera al cielo - MX
En sak om liv og død - NO
Sprawa życia i śmierci - PL
Caso de Vida ou Morte - PT
Лестница в небо - SU
Störst är kärleken - SE
太虛幻境 - TW
Aşk ve ölüm - TR
Escalera al cielo - UY
삶과 죽음의 문제 - KR

Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Français
Pусский
Runtime: 01 hour 44 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0

Plot Keyword: court case, england, angel, world war ii, heaven, bicycle, lighthearted, witty, whimsical, adoring, cheerful

David Niven
Peter Carter
Roger Livesey
Doctor Reeves
Marius Goring
Conductor 71
Robert Coote
Bob Trubshawe
Richard Attenborough
An English Pilot
Bonar Colleano
An American Pilot
Joan Maude
Chief Recorder
Edwin Max
Dr. Mc.Ewen
Betty Potter
Mrs. Tucker
Raymond Massey
Abraham Farlan
Robert Arden
GI Playing Snout (uncredited)
Robert Beatty
US Crewman (uncredited)
Eric Cawthorne
Goatherd (uncredited)
Tommy Duggan
Patrick Aloyusius Mahoney (uncredited)
Leslie Dwyer
ARP Warden (uncredited)
John Longden
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Lois Maxwell
Actress (uncredited)
Wally Patch
Civil Defence Stretcher Bearer (uncredited)
Laurence Payne
Prosecuting Counsel (uncredited)
Robert Rietti
Man in Stairway (uncredited)
Roger Snowdon
James Monahan (uncredited)
Emile Stemmler
British Serviceman (uncredited)
Wendy Thompson
Nurse (uncredited)
Frederick Valk
RAF Chaplain (uncredited)
Joan Verney
Girl (uncredited)

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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