- Actors: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough
- Directors: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell
- Writers: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell
- Producers: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, George R. Busby
- Language English, French
- Classification: U
- Studio: Carlton
- VHS Release Date: 26 Jan 2000
- Run Time: 104 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CQFK
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,566 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Briefed by the Ministry of Information to make a film that would foster Anglo-American relations in the post-war period, innovative filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, came up with A Matter Of Life And Death--an extravagant and extraordinary fantasy in which David Niven stars as a downed pilot who must justify his continuing existence to a heavenly panel of judges, because he has made the mistake of falling in love with an American girl (Kim Hunter) when he really should have been dead. National stereotypes are lampooned as the angelic judges squabble over his fate. In a neat reversal of expectations, the Heaven sequences are black and white, while Earth is seen in techni-colour. Daring cinematography mixes monochrome and colour, incorporates time-lapse images, and even toys with background 'time freezes' 50 years before "The Matrix". Roger Livesey and Raymond Massey lead the fine supporting cast, in what is one of the undoubted jewels of British cinema.
On the DVD: A Matter of Life and Death is presented in reasonably sharp 4:3 ratio with decent mono sound. Aside from English hard-of-hearing subtitles there are no extras. --Mark Walker
Synopsis
In the 1946 film A Matter Of Life And Death, David Niven stars as RAF bomber pilot Peter Carter. With his crew either dead or parachuted out, his craft in flames and falling fast, Carter bails out without a chute. His miraculous survival allows him to pursue a fortuitous romance with a radio operator, with whom he shared what he thought were his last words. Agents in Heaven, however, soon discover that a mistake was made and a celestial trial threatens to revoke Carter's new lease on life.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Written, prduced & directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger this film combines great charm and surrealism in this fantasy drama. Set in 1945 David Niven plays the best roll of his career, as Peter Carter a pilot who has to bale out of his crippled Lancaster Bomber without a parachute. Before baling out he makes radio contact with June (Kim Hunter) the last voice he expects to hear. In his last moments the couple who have never met form a bond. Miraculously he survives the fall, landing in the sea, being washed up on the beach close to where June lives. The couple meet and fall in love. Peter Carter should have died that night but due to a thick fog he was missed by his heavenly escort (Maurice Goring). Heaven must balance the books and Goring is sent to get him. Peter Carter is forced to appeal to a heavenly court for his right to live through his doctor friend (Roger Livesay). Both Goring & Livesay are superb. The special effects are brilliant for their day though at times the lack of them is rather quaint. For example when Maurice Goring announces that he has stopped time and 'everything is perfectly still' the rhodedendrums gently sway in the breeze next to his head. The use of both black & white, and Technicolor is imaginative and the heavinly scenes are quite surreal. The film can be viewed on different levels and it is not hard to see why a film made in 1946 so closely after World War 2 dealing with life, death and the after life should have been so popular. Firmly a product of its time this film in my opinion is one of the 20th century's best films and fully deserves a 5 star rating.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
It is rare to find a film of such devastating quality; the acting, dialogue, scenery, and cinematography are outstanding. Powell and Pressburger do more than justice to this surreal adventure of what we may expect in the 'next life' - I certainly hope it's like the film portrayal. There's a nice balance of witticism and irreverent comment, yet the focus of the film (for me, at least) is the very rational 'argument' of, when should someone die. I'd like to think we would all be allowed the same form of 'appeal' as Peter David Carter - perhaps that is the case!
Old or new, no other film touches this movie for it's consummate originality, and amazing film flair. This film will certainly never 'die' in my memory, however many times I sit down to watch it.
Old or new, no other film touches this movie for it's consummate originality, and amazing film flair. This film will certainly never 'die' in my memory, however many times I sit down to watch it.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
David Niven stars as Peter, a squadron leader during World War II whose plane is about to crash after being hit by the enemy. All of his crew are dead. The radio controller from the airbase is a young American, June, who tries to persuade Peter to bail out before it is too late. Peter intends to do that but unfortunately he has no parachute. Still, deciding it's a better way to die, he jumps.
No one is more surprised than him when he awakes on a beach having been washed ashore close to his airbase. He meets June and it's love at first sight. However, Peter wasn't supposed to survive the crash but the 'angel' sent to meet him got lost in the fog and missed the 'appointment'. Now this being wants Peter to give up life and return with him to heaven. Peter refuses on the basis of his love for June and decides to appeal against his fate, something that hasn't been seen before, and a trial in Heaven follows.
In a reversal from most films of this type, the scenes in Heaven are shot in black and white whilst the Earthly scenes are shot in wonderfully vivid colour. This is a film that has stood the test of time and is as good to watch today as it has ever been, proof that special effects and a frenetic pace do not beat a good, well acted story. Wonderful stuff.
No one is more surprised than him when he awakes on a beach having been washed ashore close to his airbase. He meets June and it's love at first sight. However, Peter wasn't supposed to survive the crash but the 'angel' sent to meet him got lost in the fog and missed the 'appointment'. Now this being wants Peter to give up life and return with him to heaven. Peter refuses on the basis of his love for June and decides to appeal against his fate, something that hasn't been seen before, and a trial in Heaven follows.
In a reversal from most films of this type, the scenes in Heaven are shot in black and white whilst the Earthly scenes are shot in wonderfully vivid colour. This is a film that has stood the test of time and is as good to watch today as it has ever been, proof that special effects and a frenetic pace do not beat a good, well acted story. Wonderful stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great British Movie
This must be one of our most favourite films made in GB in the time of the Second World War in 1946, but for younger viewers please don't let that put you off, the film is GREAT. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Jan L.
The best film ever
This has always been my favorite film. I have thought so since I first saw it on its original release (I'm old! Read more
Published 2 months ago by N. Landon
Nostalgia For A Lost World
Somehow spared death our quintessentially English hero washes up on a beach. He thinks he is in an Arcadian heaven. The sun shines down on the dunes and a boy herds goats. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Merlin's Owl
A stunning piece of classic cinema everyone should see
An incredibly powerful film, given that it was made in the immediate shadow of the Second World War and tackles head-on some morbid issues about death and loss- yet also a funny... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Stuart Bruce
Jaw dropping
I first saw this on TV one afternoon before I knew much about films.
It had just started and was showing Niven in the burning plane talking to June, his soon to be love,... Read more
It had just started and was showing Niven in the burning plane talking to June, his soon to be love,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Drew
Odd but very likeable
This is supposedly one of the best British films ever made. It's certainly curious and quirky. The opening scenario grabbed me and I kept watching, without really feeling it was a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by William Cohen
Unbridled jingoism
I note this film has no less than 48 reviews up here already, more than any other Powell-Pressburger film, and most overwhelmingly positive. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Guardian of the Scales
Would the kids get it?
I like the early parts best. When we get to heaven I'm just not with it like I'm supposed to. David Niven is excellent. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mario
good "ole" 40's
have seen this a few times on tv !! not much else to say previous comments have summed it up well
good dvd to have in the collection !!!
good dvd to have in the collection !!!
Published 16 months ago by devo
My Wife
I bought this for my wife as she had seen it when she was young and wanted it. She was highly dilighted with it and was crying by the end of it.
Published 17 months ago by littlehitler
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