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Trailer

A Matter of Life and Death

1946Movie1 h 44 minPG

Romance
90
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Letterboxd4.3/5Rotten Tomatoes97%93%

A deeply moving, romantic romance movie about fantasy and history, with standout direction and performances.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

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Not for laughs.

Movies with

Story

Neither Heaven nor Earth could keep them apart!

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.

Feels like

  • Romantic Fantasy
  • Angels & Afterlife
  • British Cinema Classic
  • Poignant & Imaginative
  • Visually Stunning
  • Philosophical Romance
  • War & Redemption
  • Melancholy & Hope

Cast

24 of 24

Crew

Directed by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Written by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Produced by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Music by
Allan Gray

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 15, 1946 · 1 h 44 min · PG

Released
December 15, 1946
Runtime
1 h 44 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Romance, Fantasy, Drama
Original language
English
Also spoken
French, Russian
Made in
United Kingdom
Budget
$450,000
Box office
$2 million
Available in
126 countries

Tropes

Love Before First Sight, Face Death with Dignity, Manly Tears +9

  • Love Before First Sight
  • Face Death with Dignity
  • Manly Tears
  • Afterlife Antechamber
  • Tuckerization
  • Eagleland
  • Unconventional Courtroom Tactics
  • Trial of the Mystical Jury
  • Dead to Begin With
  • Deliberately Monochrome
  • "Eureka!" Moment
  • Or Was It a Dream?

12 of 50 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream A Matter of Life and Death?"

Questions about A Matter of Life and Death

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Matter of Life and Death?

Artiflix

In the United States, A Matter of Life and Death streams on Artiflix. It also streams in 125 other countries.

Is A Matter of Life and Death worth watching?

90
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 90 (IMDb 8, Letterboxd 4.3 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes 97%). Critics rate it higher (97 out of 100) than audiences (86).

Is A Matter of Life and Death okay for kids?

PG

Not for young kids: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Is A Matter of Life and Death good for date night?

and 2 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 8 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Can I half-watch A Matter of Life and Death?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for philosophical.

What tropes does A Matter of Life and Death use?

Love Before First SightFace Death with DignityManly TearsAfterlife AntechamberTuckerizationEaglelandUnconventional Courtroom TacticsTrial of the Mystical JuryDead to Begin WithDeliberately Monochrome"Eureka!" MomentOr Was It a Dream?and 38 more

TV Tropes lists 50 tropes for it, including Love Before First Sight, Face Death with Dignity, and Manly Tears.