A Matter of Life and Death (Stairway to Heaven) (1946)
Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 19
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 1
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0
liked it
Average Rating: 4.4/5
User Ratings: 6,378
Movie Info
Jerry Andrus spent a life dealing with magic and inventions. This documentary features an extended interview with him while he shows off many of the devices that he patented during a life that lasted nearly ninety years. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
PG,
Documentary, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interest
Nov 1, 1946 Wide
Jun 24, 2008
Universal Pictures
Cast
-
-
David Niven
Peter Carter -
Kim Hunter
June -
Marius Goring
Conductor 71 -
Roger Livesey
Dr. Frank Reeves -
Raymond Massey
Abraham Farlan -
Richard Attenborough
English Pilot -
Robert Atkins
The Vicar -
Kathleen Byron
Angel -
Bonar Colleano
American Pilot -
Joan Maude
Chief Recorder -
Edwin Max
Dr. McEwen -
Robert Coote
Bob Trubshawe -
Betty Potter
Mrs. Tucker -
Bob Roberts
Dr. Gaertler -
Abraham Sofaer
Judge -
Robert Arden
GI -
Tom Duggan
American Policeman -
Wally Patch
ARP Warden
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All Critics (23) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (1) | DVD (5)
What today's audiences will find amazing is the sheer energy of its invention.
Top CriticAlthough it's undeniably a great-looking film, I just found A Matter of Life and Death to be too harebrained to take seriously as a piece of important cinema.
Though the writer-directors and the actors may be the first names you notice, the cameraman also helped A Matter of Life and Death become one of the most moving movies ever made.
The duo put so much care and love into the film that in the end we know they're right: Love really is the greatest of all virtues.
In spite of its thematic bleakness, A Matter of Life and Death succeeds in being a sparkling fantasy picture ....
(The filmmakers') creativity is both fantastic and organic, their imagery spellbinding and gorgeous, and their scripting clever and witty.
Pretty bizarre fantasy set in WWII era starring David Niven.
A very pleasing fantasy film from the team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
One of the most enchanting movies you'll ever have the pleasure to see.
Probably Powell and Pressburger's best film.
Audience Reviews for A Matter of Life and Death (Stairway to Heaven)
Super Reviewer
As customary with any Archers film, the performances are spot on (Roger Livesey being a standout), and the romantic energy of the film is endearing. A Matter of Life and Death is all about the power of love and just how important life is -- a pedestrian theme by any measure, but displayed and argued with incredible conviction. Jack Cardiff's cinematography is reason enough to watch the film alone (he puts on a clinic). The way he lights Kim Hunter's face makes her all the more beautiful, and who else can make a simple things such as a game of table tennis look exciting? And the sound design is also impeccable; the way the sound mutes at vital points was a decision way ahead of its time.
This is a true classic that can restore anyone's faith in cinema. Under appreciated on its initial release and by today's audiences, which is nothing short of a tragedy.
Super Reviewer
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Movie: ID: 728702664 Title: A Matter of Life and Death (Stairway to Heaven) Release Date: 1946-11-01 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 2 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- A Matter of Life and Death (DE)
- A Matter of Life and Death (UK)
