A Matter of Life and Death

1946

1h 44m

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

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6 Videos

73 Images

Romance

Fantasy

Drama

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.

Directors

Emeric Pressburger

Michael Powell

Writers

Emeric Pressburger(screenplay by)

Michael Powell(screenplay by)

Stars

David Niven

Kim Hunter

Roger Livesey

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Peter Carter

June

Doctor Reeves

Conductor 71

Bob Trubshawe

An Angel

An English Pilot

An American Pilot

Chief Recorder

The Vicar

Dr. Mc.Ewen

Mrs. Tucker

The Judge

Abraham Farlan

GI Playing Snout (uncredited)

Robert Beatty

US Crewman (uncredited)

Eric Cawthorne

Goatherd (uncredited)

Tommy Duggan

Patrick Aloyusius Mahoney (uncredited)

Directors

Emeric Pressburger

Michael Powell

Writers

Emeric Pressburger(screenplay by)

Michael Powell(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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.

Geronimo196707 Jul, 2022