A Matter of Life and Death
Seen it?1946 | 104 min | Romance, Fantasy, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and fantasy fans. If you loved Wings, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 44 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $450K budget
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 90K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- David NivenPeter Carter
- Kim HunterJune
- Roger LiveseyDoctor Reeves
- Marius GoringConductor 71
- Robert CooteBob Trubshawe
- Kathleen ByronAn Angel
- Richard AttenboroughAn English Pilot
- Bonar ColleanoAn American Pilot
- Joan MaudeChief Recorder
- Robert AtkinsThe Vicar