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.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.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.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
Bonar Colleano
- An American Pilot
- (as Bonor Colleano)
Robert Arden
- GI Playing Snout
- (uncredited)
Robert Beatty
- US Crewman
- (uncredited)
Eric Cawthorne
- Goatherd
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe huge escalator linking this World with the Other, called "Operation Ethel" by the firm of engineers who constructed her under the aegis of the London Passenger Transport Board, took three months to make, and cost three thousand pounds sterling (in 1946). "Ethel" had one hundred six steps, each twenty feet wide, and was driven by a twelve horsepower engine. The full shot was completed by hanging miniatures.
- GoofsAfter Peter's second encounter with the Heavenly Messenger, this time in Frank's library, the doctor and June desperately attend to Peter's condition. June kneels in front of Peter and begins to giggle uncontrollably, then expertly hides herself behind Frank to avoid the camera.
- Quotes
Doctor Frank Reeves: A weak mind isn't strong enough to hurt itself. Stupidity has saved many a man from going mad.
- Crazy creditsForeword (Scrolled up the screen at the start of the film): This is a story of two Worlds the one we know and another which exists only in the mind of a young airman whose life & imagination have been violently shaped by war [Pauses, then scrolls up to reveal] Any resemblance to any other world known or unknown is purely coincidental.
- Alternate versionsThe US release was cut to avoid showing the naked shepherd boy in the sand dunes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)
- SoundtracksScherzo
(1842) (uncredited)
from "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61"
Written by Felix Mendelssohn
Played on a record at the Shakespeare rehearsal
Featured review
Timeless Classic
Few movies can be viewed almost 60 years later, yet remain as engrossing as this one. Technological advances have not dated this classic love story. Special effects used are remarkable for a 1946 movie. The acting is superb. David Niven, Kim Hunter and especially Roger Livesey do an outstanding job. The use of Black and White / Color adds to the creative nature of the movie. It hasn't been seen on television for 20 years so few people are even aware of its existence. It is my favorite movie of all time. Waiting and hoping for the DVD release of this movie for so many years is, in itself, "A Matter of Life and Death".
helpful•13920
- voiceof67
- Dec 21, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Escalera al cielo
- Filming locations
- Saunton Sands, Devon, England, UK(beach: The Burrows)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £320,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $178,778
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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