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A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
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Overview
User Rating:
Directors:
Writers:
Release Date:
March 1947 (USA)
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Tagline:
Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart! more
Plot:
A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win
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NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Royal Film Performance to Have ‘Lovely’ Showing
(From Atomic Popcorn. 15 October 2009, 2:58 PM, PDT)
It Might Get Loud Cranks It Up on DVD and Blu-ray on December 22nd
(From MovieWeb. 13 October 2009, 9:42 AM, PDT)
(From Atomic Popcorn. 15 October 2009, 2:58 PM, PDT)
It Might Get Loud Cranks It Up on DVD and Blu-ray on December 22nd
(From MovieWeb. 13 October 2009, 9:42 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Simply Beautiful
more (104 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| David Niven | ... | Peter Carter | |
| Kim Hunter | ... | June | |
| Robert Coote | ... | Bob Trubshawe | |
| Kathleen Byron | ... | An Angel | |
| Richard Attenborough | ... | An English Pilot | |
| Bonar Colleano | ... | An American Pilot (also as Bonor Colleano) | |
| Joan Maude | ... | Chief Recorder | |
| Marius Goring | ... | Conductor 71 | |
| Roger Livesey | ... | Doctor Frank Reeves | |
| Robert Atkins | ... | The Vicar | |
| Bob Roberts | ... | Dr. Gaertler | |
| Edwin Max | ... | Dr. McEwen | |
| Betty Potter | ... | Mrs. Tucker | |
| Abraham Sofaer | ... | The Judge / The Surgeon | |
| Raymond Massey | ... | Abraham Farlan |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Stairway to Heaven (USA)
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MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Color:
Black and White (Dye-Monochrome) |
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Portugal:M/12 |
USA:PG (1995) |
USA:TV-PG (TV rating) |
USA:Approved (PCA #11724) |
West Germany:16 |
Finland:K-16 |
Spain:T |
UK:U (video rating) (1995) (uncut) |
UK:A (original rating) (cut) |
Ireland:G
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The film has been adapted for the stage twice. First, in 1994 as a musical by Thomas Morgan and Kevin Metchear, at the King's Head Theatre, London, England, UK, and then again in 2007, as a play, by Tom Morris and Emma Rice at the National Theatre (Olivier), London, England, UK.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Prior to Peter's first meeting with the Heavenly Messenger he is sitting down and he asks June if she wants a drink, at which moment Peter's time stands still and the initial meeting and conversation ensues. At the point of the Messenger's departure, June says "Yes please, darling" but Peter is standing up several feet away from June.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Colour Merchant (1998) (V)
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Soundtrack:
Scherzo
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FAQ
Did it really happen?Did they use CGI?
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A Matter of Life and Death had me stunned when I first saw it. The marvellous opening, makes you feel like you are floating among the stars in a place of your own. Then it moves to the horrors of war and the down side of life, men dead and more to follow. The story has already been told a thousand times by other reviewers who were as enchanted by this film as I was. The cinematography, the story, everything was just right. In my book it is the greatest film ever made. I liked the way that the earth is in sometimes beautiful, sometimes gritty Technicolour, then what is above is in mystical Black and White. To my dying days I will always love this film. See it before you die.