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IMDbPro

Stairway to Heaven

Original title: A Matter of Life and Death
  • 19461946
  • PGPG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Stairway to Heaven (1946)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:23
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaFantasyRomance
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.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Stars
    • David Niven
    • Kim Hunter
    • Robert Coote
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Stars
    • David Niven
    • Kim Hunter
    • Robert Coote
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 205User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:23
    Watch Trailer

    Photos104

    David Niven and Kim Hunter in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    David Niven and Kim Hunter in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    David Niven and Kim Hunter in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    David Niven in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Kim Hunter in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    David Niven and Kim Hunter at an event for Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    James Mason, David Niven, Helen Mirren, Kim Hunter, and Michael Powell in Stairway to Heaven (1946)
    Stairway to Heaven (1946)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David Niven
    David Niven
    • Peter Carter
    Kim Hunter
    Kim Hunter
    • June
    Robert Coote
    Robert Coote
    • Bob Trubshaw
    Kathleen Byron
    Kathleen Byron
    • An Angel
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • An English Pilot
    Bonar Colleano
    Bonar Colleano
    • An American Pilot
    • (as Bonor Colleano)
    Joan Maude
    Joan Maude
    • Chief Recorder
    Marius Goring
    Marius Goring
    • Conductor 71
    Roger Livesey
    Roger Livesey
    • Dr. Frank Reeves
    Robert Atkins
    • The Vicar
    Bob Roberts
    • Dr. Gaertler
    Edwin Max
    Edwin Max
    • Dr. McEwen
    Betty Potter
    • Mrs. Tucker
    Abraham Sofaer
    Abraham Sofaer
    • The Judge
    Raymond Massey
    Raymond Massey
    • Abraham Farlan
    Robert Arden
    Robert Arden
    • GI Playing Snout
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Beatty
    Robert Beatty
    • US Crewman
    • (uncredited)
    Eric Cawthorne
    • Goatherd
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The huge escalator linking this World with the Other, called "Operation Ethel" by the firm of engineers who constructed her under the aegis of the London Passenger Transport Board, took three months to make, and cost three thousand pounds sterling (in 1946). "Ethel" had one hundred six steps, each twenty feet wide, and was driven by a twelve horsepower engine. The full shot was completed by hanging miniatures.
    • 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 reviews205

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Quite simply the best film ever made
    To me A Matter of Life and Death is just that- simply the best film ever made.

    From beginning to end it oozes class. It is stimulating, thought provoking, a mirror to the post war world and the relations between peoples.

    The cinematography is simply stunning and the effect of mixing monochrome and Technicolour to accent the different worlds works seamlessly. The characters and plot development are near perfect and the attention to detail promotes a thoroughly believable fantasy.

    No matter how many times I watch the film - and I have watched it a lot - it never fails to touch me. It makes me smile, it makes me laugh, it makes me think, it makes me cry. It is as fresh today as it was in 1946.

    If I were allowed just one film to keep and watch again A Matter of Life and Death would be that film.
    helpful•154
    33
    • leccyflyer
    • Nov 23, 2000

    FAQ2

    • Did it really happen?
    • Did they use CGI?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • A Matter of Life and Death
    • Filming locations
      • Saunton Sands, Devon, England, UK
    • Production company
      • The Archers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £320,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $124,241
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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