A Matter of Life and Death

1946
PG
1h 44m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

26K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:23

Drama Fantasy Romance War

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.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.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
- Michael Powell
- Emeric Pressburger
Writers
- Michael Powell
- Emeric Pressburger
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

26K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,542

3,635

Directors
- Michael Powell
- Emeric Pressburger
Writers
- Michael Powell
- Emeric Pressburger
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations total

Trivia
The first scene shot was David Niven washing up on the beach. Originally planned to fade in from black, Michael Powell decided on the spot that the effect would be too cheesy. When Jack Cardiff told him to look through the camera, Cardiff then deliberately breathed onto the lens, which fogged the glass for a few seconds until it evaporated. Powell loved the idea and had him use it for the shot.

Goofs
After Peter's second encounter with the Heavenly Messenger, this time in Frank's library, the doctor and June desperately attend to Peter's condition. June kneels in front of Peter and begins to giggle uncontrollably, then expertly hides herself behind Frank to avoid the camera.

Quotes
Doctor Frank Reeves: A weak mind isn't strong enough to hurt itself. Stupidity has saved many a man from going mad.

Crazy credits
Foreword (Scrolled up the screen at the start of the film): This is a story of two Worlds the one we know and another which exists only in the mind of a young airman whose life & imagination have been violently shaped by war [Pauses, then scrolls up to reveal] Any resemblance to any other world known or unknown is purely coincidental.

Alternate versions
The US release was cut to avoid showing the naked shepherd boy in the sand dunes.

Connections
Featured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)

Soundtracks
Scherzo
(1842) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn
Played on a record at the Shakespeare rehearsal

User reviews216

Review

Featured review

10/10

Timeless Classic

Few movies can be viewed almost 60 years later, yet remain as engrossing as this one. Technological advances have not dated this classic love story. Special effects used are remarkable for a 1946 movie. The acting is superb. David Niven, Kim Hunter and especially Roger Livesey do an outstanding job. The use of Black and White / Color adds to the creative nature of the movie. It hasn't been seen on television for 20 years so few people are even aware of its existence. It is my favorite movie of all time. Waiting and hoping for the DVD release of this movie for so many years is, in itself, "A Matter of Life and Death".