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A Matter of Life and Death main poster

A Matter of Life and Death

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7.7/10 • 421

1946-12-151h 44m

RomanceFantasyDramaWarComedy

Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!

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.

Directors
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Editors
Reginald Mills

Top Billed Cast

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  1. David Niven

    David Niven

    Peter Carter

  2. Kim Hunter

    Kim Hunter

    June

  3. Roger Livesey

    Roger Livesey

    Doctor Reeves

  4. Marius Goring

    Marius Goring

    Conductor 71

  5. Robert Coote

    Robert Coote

    Bob Trubshawe

  6. Kathleen Byron

    Kathleen Byron

    An Angel

  7. Richard Attenborough

    Richard Attenborough

    An English Pilot

  8. Bonar Colleano

    Bonar Colleano

    An American Pilot

  9. Joan Maude

    Joan Maude

    Chief Recorder

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jul 7, 2022

7/10

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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  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster
  • A Matter of Life and Death poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
court caseenglandangelworld war iiheavenbicyclelightheartedwittywhimsicaladoringcheerful