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A Matter Of Life And Death [1946] | ![A Matter Of Life And Death [1946]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QPT95HF6L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell
Actors: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Robert Coote, Kathleen Byron, Richard Attenborough
Studio: ITV DVD
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £2.92
You Save: £17.07 (85%)
New (15) Used (5) from £2.92
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 2426
Format: Full Screen, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5037115000330
ASIN: B00004CX5N
Theatrical Release Date: March 1947
Release Date: September 14, 1998
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
Fascinating movie! September 23, 2008
FAMOUS NAME (UNITED KINGDOM)
This film has a fabulous opening sequence, and a lovely opening scene featuring David Niven as 'Peter Carter' and Kim Hunter as 'June'.
This is a fascinating movie with an interesting topic, and as so many have said before; this is a film way ahead of its time. The fact that this was filmed using both black and white and colour adds to the 'Special Effects'.
'Peter Carter' gets a second chance at life and love when he has to jump from a crashing Aeroplane during the War.
Marius Goring stars in one of his most 'colourful' roles as the 'Conductor 71' character. Also stars Raymond Massey.
An entertaining movie.
Magical, moving and visually stunning May 16, 2008
R. Talibart (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
You may have seen a famous clip from this film, with a giant moving staircase leading up to heaven past monolithic statues. It's breathtaking, but you must see the whole film! Niven is brilliant as a stiff-upper-lipped pilot chappie who literally jumps from a plane without a parachute, falls in love and ends up pleading his case to continue living in front of the heavenly powers that be. The 'action' shuttles seamlessly between earth and heaven and colour and black and white photography. The soundtrack is powerful. One of the best films ever made.
Brilliant Powell & Pressburger war time fantasy May 5, 2008
D. J. HORN (Ellington Village, Northumberland, GB)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This 1946 film should appeal to all generations and almost everyone. One of my all time favourite oldies, for some reason, especially bearing in mind the brilliant special effects and sets for the time, my most vivid memory of it is a table tennis game.
David Niven is Squadron Leader Peter Carter, World War 2 pilot and sole survivor in a severely damaged and doomed Lancaster bomber returning across the English Channel from a mission in a dense fog. He's bought it too, along with his crew-mates, as he has to bail out of his plane without a brolly (a parachute to you chaps across the pond).
The Conductor, whose job it is to take the dead Carter to heaven, misses him because of the weather. Prior to bailing out Carter was speaking to American radio operator June (the beautiful Kim Hunter) who works in Operations in GB and the two have fallen in love. He's got her address and unexpectedly finds himself washed up on the shore a few hundred yards from her house (what a coincidence). As if that weren't enough, when he comes around she just happens to be cycling by on her way home from work!
The Conductor doesn't give up easily and, despite his mistake, tries to get Carter to go with him to Heaven. Carter of course doesn't want to go and wins the right to an appeal. Things go on from there, alternating between Heaven (black and white) and Earth (colour).
Other stars include Raymond Massey and Roger Livesey, the latter playing a helpful Doctor friend of June, who agrees to defend Carter in his appeal (though he doesn't believe what Carter has told him and arranges for an emergency brain operation).
Sets and special effects are phenomenal for the time and the colour is wonderful, though a tad muted and sepia-tinged, looking almost hand-tinted, unusual for the time as colour film then was usually deep, rich and bold.
Picture quality is generally pretty good and free from damage, though there are a few sparklies in the black and white sequences, whilst the monaural sound is a bit crackly in the quiet passages.
A magic and beautiful film indeed which, because of when it's set, will never date.
Clearly the best film ever made February 7, 2008
Alister King (London, England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
powell and pressburger are the two finest film makers ever to grace us with their talent. any one of their films would in impress in any number of ways. in the modern era only the coen brothers come to close to matching this fabulous writer/director partnership. this film is heavilt borrowed from my countless film and ad makers and has more memorable scenes in it than a best of trailer reel.
niven plays a pilot who is meant to die after bailing on his way home from a bomber run, but due to an admin error in heaven he ends up in limbo. during that time he falls in love with a USAF lady and so when gods ambassor comes to claim him, he appeals. quite right too, she's lovely.
the drama toggles between his appeal in heaven (in black and white) and the real life drama on earth (in colour) where he struggles with increasing blackouts. things end up with him siumtaneoulsy on an operating theatre on earth and in a grand celestial court in heaven where the epic trial will inspire you as to waht huimanity could achieve through fraternity and debate.
the opening scenes alone would blow your mind but the toggle between B&W to colour,the suspended reality moments (esp. the table tennis game), the camaraderie, the grand celestial trial and the love story synergise to perfection.
untouchable before or since
A Matter of Life and Death August 20, 2007
T. Jarvis
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Another great movie from Powell and Pressburger this came out 30th December 1946 and over 60 years later is still loved.
David Niven stars as Peter Carter the pilot who escapes hes own destiny and allso starts Kim Hunter (Zira in The Planet of The Apes Movies) as the women he loves and allso starts Roger Livsey(The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp)This film is half In colour and have in black and white but how ever this is pulled of Brilliantly.
The Scene at the begging where there in the place after life where they look down on all the records of every body living is a great piece of camera trickery.At the end the court soon that goes on forever another great piece of camera trickery.
Look out for a young Richard Attenborough and aswell in the court soon when you see the scotish army look carefully and you can see John Laurie who is private Frazer in Dads Army.
This DVD has a documentry about Jack Cardiff who photographed the film.
Dont buy the movie on its own get it with The Powell and Pressburger Movie Collection which features over great films made them.
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