Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!…
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.
Selected disc options for A Matter of Life and Death
| 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 | has extra | has extra | |||
| Audio Commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV | has extra | ||||
| Introduction by Martin Scorsese | has extra | has extra | |||
| Special Effects - With Craig Baron and Harrison Ellenshaw | has extra | ||||
| Heaven Delayed - Interview with Ian Christie | has extra | ||||
| Memories Matter - Interview with Assistant Editor Jim Pople | has extra | ||||
| Unexpected Realism - Interview with Charles Drazin | has extra | ||||
| Interview with Thelma Schoonmaker (Wife of Director Michael Powell) | has extra | ||||
| The South Bank Show: “Michael Powell” | has extra | ||||
| Restoration Demonstration | has extra | ||||
| Biographies | has extra | ||||
| “The Colour Merchant” - Featuring Cinematographer Jack Cardiff | has extra | has extra | has extra |
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.
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