A Matter of Life and Death

A Matter of Life and Death

23/1/1947 1h 44m 7.7/10

Overview

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.

Director

Michael Powell

Top Billed Cast

David Niven

David Niven

Peter Carter

Kim Hunter

Kim Hunter

June

Marius Goring

Marius Goring

Conductor 71

Kathleen Byron

Kathleen Byron

An Angel

Roger Livesey

Roger Livesey

Doctor Reeves

Robert Coote

Robert Coote

Bob Trubshawe

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

7/7/2022

7/10

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.

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