A Matter of Life and Death

The 1946 British film A Matter of Life and Death (originally released in the U.S. with the title Stairway to Heaven) is as gorgeous and romantic as films come. After a celestial prologue, the story moves right into mortal matters concerning an RAF bomber pilot (David Niven) in a burning plane (a scene of both terror and terrible beauty), an American girl (Kim Hunter) hearing his final words before he jumps without a parachute, and the love affair that blooms when he survives that blind leap. It's a romance caught in the balance of life and death as the British pilot is visited by a heavenly conductor (Marius Goring) who is sent to bring the flyer to the afterlife. The film never reveals whether this is real or all in the pilot’s mind, one of many elements that makes this romantic fantasy so wonderful. Another is the mix of creamy black-and-white footage shot in Heaven and the dazzling, richly-saturated color on Earth. You might call this England's answer to It's a Wonderful Life (which bowed the same year), but filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger offer a unique vision featuring glorious imagery and a clever script that embraces the power of love to cross all boundaries. Criterion presents the film's Blu-ray debut (as well as a new DVD edition) from a new 4K restoration with extras including an introduction by Martin Scorsese, audio commentary by Powell historian Ian Christie, a new interview with Thelma Schoonmaker (Powell's widow), short documentaries on the film's special effects and cinematographer Jack Cardiff, a 1986 TV documentary on Powell's career, a restoration demo, and a booklet with an essay by film critic Stephanie Zacharek. A cinematic classic, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. (S. Axmaker)