A Matter Of Life And Death (DVD 1998)

When people ask me what my favourite movie is, they always seem surprised when I name this one. Why should anyone prefer a film made over 60 years ago to all the modern ones? Why would someone like a film which is, in part, black and white? Simply because it is a wonderful story, about love overcoming everything, even death. It's an uplifting fantasy, with enough imagination in it to match anything made since, even with the modern special effects available to film-makers today.

The tale centres on Peter Carter, a World War 2 bomber pilot who bails out of his stricken aircraft over the English Channel without a parachute, having resigned himself to his fate. Miraculously he survives, and is found by a young American girl June, with whom he falls in love. When a messenger comes from heaven, telling him his time is up and he must report to the afterlife immediately, Peter has only one option - to appeal to the highest court in the universe, and to plead for his life to be prolonged.

With superb acting from all lead characters, David Niven, Kim Hunter, and Roger Livesey, and the excellent direction and ahead of their time vision from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, the film is an excellent evening's entertainment for young and old, ehough to warm anybody's heart. I cannot recommend it enough.

I saw this movie years ago when I was a kid (back in the 1980's). It stayed in my memory for a longtime and I eventually sought out a VHS version of it when I moved to Canada (no mean feat.) I just bought the DVD off of eBay.

This movie is pure magic and has a high rewatching factor to it.

I had never heard of this film until I read that MK reckoned it was the best film ever made (BBC website). So I got it and can certainly recommend it as fascinating and thought-provoking. It has all the feel of a post-war movie (e.g. Reach for the Sky) with David Niven doing his bit. But then it takes a turn into the super-natural! It reminds us of the way war turns the world upside down for many ordinary people and that, surprise surprise, the true answer/real meaning/reason to go on is LOVE. Interesting original elements that have influence much more recent films. Recommended.

the reason I bought this item was for my mother as birthday present. And this film was just one of her favourets and was really pleased with it.

the reason i bought this movie was because it ia a clasic movie heart-warming life or death love story with a great actor David Niven nobody could not love it.

An absolute classic for any descerning movie fan. One of Niven's finest and certainly a corner stone of how fantastic post war British films could be. Even my son loved it and he is only 8 years old.

Absolutely loved it ... this title is regularly in the top ten of movie directors' favourites. Way ahead of its time - although obviously dated in parts, this is as good as a 'feel good' movie gets. Originally made to reconcile the brits and the yanks after WW2 it nontheless leaves the viewer with a positive frame of mind - despite there being no sign of 'enemy' souls in heaven!

A film I remembered from my childhood, watch with my mum. Was looking to find it on dvd format, had a copy in video. Since now have recently lost my father too, I knew it would bring back very good memories.
Very good to see all that stiff upper lip..

I brought this for my partner. It had mentioned that this was a favorite of his when it was on tv. I searched ebay to buy it for him. It was a very good buy. Thank you

i bought this film because i had seen it before on tv.I love it because maybe when we die it could be like this after?.It has a great storyline to it and the actors.

I couldn't get to watch this much loved film at Christmas so decided to buy the dvd. The price was right the quality good and Ebay is soooo convienient!

a wonderful movie!! brilliantly acted!! very unusual movie with a big question that you have to watch it to know!!

saw this when i was a kid, taped it from the tv & consequently lost to mould 19 yrs later.

i love the imaginings of the mind while suffering brain injurery or not as the case maybe.

nonetheless ask yourself the question 'would you sacrifice your life for someone you love'?