A Matter of Life and Death
- Year: 1946
- Country of origin: UK
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, War
- Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- Length: 104 min
Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!…
Film Synopsis
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) follows a British airman who miraculously lives through a burning bomber crash and falls in love with an American radio operator moments before his supposed death. When heavenly authorities realize a clerical mistake has allowed him to survive, he must argue his case before a celestial court while doctors on Earth struggle to save his failing body. This fantasy drama blends romantic idealism and metaphysical spectacle in a luminous meditation on love, mortality, and justice.
A Matter of Life and Death Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Criterion BD-A/US 2018 | Imprint BD-B/AU 2025 | ITV BD-B/UK 2018 | Ascot Elite BD-ALL/DE/OOP 2015 | Sony DVD-1/US/OOP 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Ian Christie | |||||
| Audio Commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV | |||||
| Introduction by Martin Scorsese | |||||
| Special Effects - With Craig Baron and Harrison Ellenshaw | |||||
| Heaven Delayed - Interview with Ian Christie | |||||
| Memories Matter - Interview with Assistant Editor Jim Pople | |||||
| Unexpected Realism - Interview with Charles Drazin | |||||
| Interview with Thelma Schoonmaker (Wife of Director Michael Powell) | |||||
| The South Bank Show: “Michael Powell” | |||||
| Restoration Demonstration | |||||
| Biographies | |||||
| “The Colour Merchant” - Featuring Cinematographer Jack Cardiff |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Criterion’s Blu-ray includes a booklet with writing by Stephanie Zacharek (“The Too-Muchness of It All”).
- Imprint’s Blu-ray is included in “The Cinema of Powell and Pressburger, Collection One” box set with The Spy in Black (1939), 49th Parallel (1941), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Canterbury Tale (1944), A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and Black Narcissus (1947).
- ITV’s Steelbook Blu-ray reissued in standard packaging (2019/04/22).
- Ascot Elite’s Blu-ray contains no extras.
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~