A Matter of Life and Death [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

A Matter of Life and Death [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell Cast: David Niven
David Niven
, Kim Hunter
Kim Hunter
, Roger Livesey
Roger Livesey
Emeric Pressburger
A Matter of Life and Death [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

A Matter of Life and Death [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell Cast: David Niven
David Niven
, Kim Hunter
Kim Hunter
, Roger Livesey
Roger Livesey
Emeric Pressburger

Blu-ray (Color / Black & White)

$39.99 
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Overview

Also known as Stairway to Heaven, A Matter of Life and Death is the remarkable British fantasy film that became the surprise hit of 1946. David Niven stars as Peter Carter, a World War II RAF pilot who is forced to bail out of his crippled plane without a parachute. He wakes up to find he has landed on Earth utterly unharmed...which wasn't supposed to happen according to the rules of heaven. A celestial court argues over whether to claim Carter's life or let him survive to wed his American sweetheart (Kim Hunter). During an operation, in which Carter hovers between life and death, he dreams that his spirit is on trial, with God (Abraham Sofaer) as judge and Carter's recently deceased best friend (Roger Livesey) as defense counsel. The film tries to have it both ways by suggesting that the heavenly scenes are all a product of Carter's imagination, but the audience knows better. Among the curious but effective artistic choices in A Matter of Life and Death was the decision to film the earthbound scenes in Technicolor and the heaven sequences in black-and-white. The film was a product of the adventuresome team known as "The Archers": Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Product Details

Release Date: 07/24/2018
UPC: 0715515218511
Original Release: 1946
Rating: PG
Source: Criterion Collection
Region Code: A
Presentation: [B&W]
Language: English
Time: 1:44:00
Sales rank: 8,238

Special Features

New 4k digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack ; Interview from 2008 with filmmaker Martin Scorsese; Audio Commentary from 2009 featuring film scholar Ian Christie; New interview with Editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Director Michael Powell's widow; New short documentary on the film's special effects featuring film historian Craig Barron and Visual Effects artist Harrison Ellenshaw; The Clour Merchant, a 1998 short film featuring Cinematographer Jcak Cardiff; The South Bank Show: "Michael Powell," a 1986 television program featuring Powell; Restoration demonstration ; Plus: An essay by critic Stephanie Zacharek

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
David Niven Peter Carter
Kim Hunter June
Roger Livesey Dr. Reeves
Marius Goring Conductor 71
Raymond Massey Abraham Farlan
Kathleen Byron Angel
Richard Attenborough Pilot
Robert Coote Bob
Bonar Colleano American Pilot
Joan Maude Chief Recorder
Abraham Sofaer The Judge
Robert Atkins The Vicar
Bob Roberts Dr. Gaertler
Edwin Max Mr. McEwan
Betty Potter Mrs. Rucker
Robert Arden GI
Wally Patch ARP Warden
Tom Duggan American Policeman,Actor
Allan Gray Composer

Technical Credits
Emeric Pressburger Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Michael Powell Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Douglas Woolsey Special Effects
W. Day Special Effects
George Blackwell Special Effects
George Busby Producer
Henry Harris Special Effects
C.C. Stevens Sound/Sound Designer
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