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Stairway to Heaven

Original title: A Matter of Life and Death
  • 1946
  • PG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
23K
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.

  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Stars
    • David Niven
    • Kim Hunter
    • Robert Coote
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Stars
      • David Niven
      • Kim Hunter
      • Robert Coote
    • 217User reviews
    • 84Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:23
    Watch Trailer

    Photos105

    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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    A Matter of Life and Death

    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 reviews217

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Between heaven and earth
    The great talents of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger are noticeable in their wonderful "A Matter of Life and Death". It was part of the recent tribute to Mr. Powell that played at the Walter Reade in New York. This film, in particular, shows us one of the best British films from that, or any other era.

    "A Matter of Life and Death" has a brilliant cinematography by Jack Cardiff, a man who knew how to work wonders with a camera. Particularly impressive is the contrast from the monochromatic tones given to the scenes played in heaven, and the colored ones when the action comes back to earth. This was quite a coup, and well ahead of its times. The black and white sequence that involves the long staircase where Peter and the Conductor are chatting has to be one of the most amazing things on any film.

    Much has been said in this forum about the film, so our comment will be about the great acting Powell and Pressberger got out of the large, distinguished cast, who responded magnificently to the directors' guidance.

    David Niven, is Peter, whose aircraft is hit and his best friend dies as a result of it. This film marked one of the highlights in Mr. Niven's career. He was an excellent film actor as he shows us in this movie. Kim Hunter is surprisingly good as June, the woman who talked to Peter as his plane was falling from the skies. As fate would have it, Peter and June fall in love at first sight.

    Some of the best British film actors grace this film with their presence. Robert Coote, is Bob, the man who is admitted to heaven, but he is surprised his friend Peter never made the trip with him. An excellent star turn by Marius Goring, who as the Conductor 71 steals the film. Mr. Goring, who had worked with the directors, is one of the best things in the movie. Also, Roger Livesey, as Dr. Frank Reeves, does one of the best appearances of his career, as well as Raymond Massey, who is seen as Abraham Farlan.

    "A Matter of Life and Death" is a timeless film that will always be seen with gratitude toward its creators.
    helpful•65
    9
    • jotix100
    • Sep 19, 2005

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    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(beach: The Burrows)
    • 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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