A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

[Tabitha]

I have not seen this film for many many years, and I am not sure whether it could really be classified as SF, but it sure made an impression on me. There were some really beautiful scenes - the way heaven looked was very impressive, and David Niven's conversation with the radio operator, June was really very moving.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0038733

Returning to England from a bombing run in May 1945, flyer Peter Carter's plane is damaged and his parachute ripped to shreds. He has his crew bail out safely, but figures it is curtains for himself. He gets on the radio, and talks to June, a young American woman working for the RAF, and they are quite moved by each other's voices. Then he jumps, preferring this to burning up with his plane. He wakes up in the surf. It was his time to die, but there was a mixup in heaven. They couldn't find him in all that fog. By the time his "Conductor" catches up with him 20 hours later, Peter and June have met and fallen in love. This changes everything, and since it happened through no fault of his own, Peter figures that heaven owes him a second chance. Heaven agrees to a trial to decide his fate.

 

[rde]

This is my favourite Powell and Pressburger film, and I was delighted to see it available on DVD. Region 2, though, so all you Region-1 types who didn't see fit to get a multi-region player will be disappointed. Assuming it's not available on that side of the atlantic, too.

As to whether it could be considered SF, the answer is 'posssibly fantasy'. It was very cleverly made, leaving open the possibility that it was all in his mind.

Excellent, excellent movie.One everyone should see.

 

[Tabitha]

I did look for it about a year ago, and I don't believe it was available then on DVD. I might pick it up when I get home, so I can refresh my memory.

 

[Tabitha]

From www.play.com :

It’s night over Europe, the night of the 2nd of May 1945. A crippled Lancaster Bomber struggles home across the English Channel, all crew dead save for the young pilot desperately scanning the radio for signs of life.
His prayers are answered. June (Hunter), a young radio operator, picks up his signal, and in the final moments of the young flyer’s life, a special bond is formed.
The next morning washed up on an English beach, Squadron Leader Peter Carter (Niven) is alive, he finds June, and the two fall in love. Somehow he survived. It’s a miracle, or is it? Peter Carter should have died that night; a heavenly escort missed him in the fog above the channel, and now he must face the celestial court of appeal for his right to live.

Actors: David Niven ; Roger Livesey ; Raymond Massey ; Kim Hunter ; Marius Goring ; Joan Maude ; Richard Attenborough ; Kathleen Byron ; Robert Coote

Director: Michael Powell ; Emeric Pressburger

 

[PrancingPony]

i watched this film after my grandama told me it was her favorite when she was 14(my age at the time) so i watched it, it was excelent-i got totally carried away with the story, the film is different from any others i have ever watched, my fav. part is when June and the Dr. are playing ping-pong and the time freezes. I love that bit