A Matter of Life and Death
"Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!"
Synopsis
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.
Principal Cast8

David Niven
Peter Carter

Kim Hunter
June

Roger Livesey
Doctor Reeves

Marius Goring
Conductor 71

Robert Coote
Bob Trubshawe

Kathleen Byron
An Angel

Richard Attenborough
An English Pilot

Bonar Colleano
An American Pilot
Media55
Backdrops
Posters
Director

Emeric Pressburger
Director →
Trailer
Box Office
Certification
PGKeywords
External Links
Reviews1
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.
Jul 7, 2022






































