User reviews

Enchanting, romantic, innovative, and funny. The vision of this extraordinary film is almost unparalleled, exceeding better known "death romances" such as Ghost. While we know intuitively that Peter and June will find ultimate happiness at the end of that long-long stairway, the joy is in the journey. The moral of the tale, of course, is timeless: love conquers all. But the struggle to achieve that victory is played in a celestial arena of sweeping vision and gripping grandeur. With more than 500 suitably clad extras portraying various ages and cultures, the directors' vision of heaven remains memorable six decades later, far into the CGI era.

Yet for all the cosmic scale, Powell and Pressburger knew an essential truth: the best story is told at the smallest level. The wonderfully, determinedly romantic aspect of "Stairway" is captured with ultimate simplicity: June's teardrop, preserved on a rose petal.

This film, like the story and the set itself, is one for the ages.

If you want to be cynical and pedantic you could point out that the opening where a RAF Lancaster bomber is mortally wounded on the 2nd of May 1945 is somewhat unlikely since German air defences were as lively as Adolph Hitler on that day but this isn't a movie that should be viewed by a cynical audience and I guess a character being killed in literally the last hours of the war adds to the poignancy . In fact you'd have to have survived the second world war to fully appreciate the intellect , beauty and soul of Powell and Pressburger's masterpiece . The scenes of heaven are painfully twee when viewed today ? Again you have to view the movie of the context when it was made . RAF bomber command lost 58,000 men during the war , the same number that America lost in 'Nam but during a shorter period and a far , far smaller pool of active combatants , there's no atheists in a fox hole and I doubt if you'd lost a relative during the conflict you'd view material atheism as being a sensible thing . When Richar Attenborough's young pilot looks down in awe at the sight below him many war heroes must have openly wept at this scene as they remembered much missed comrades who didn't survive the war . Also bare in mind that despite losing several million people from 1939-45 there seems to be very few people from Germany passing through the pearly gates . it's obvious Nazis don't go to heaven

The plot itself where dashing young pilot Peter Carter arguing for his life in front of a celestial court wouldn't have had much appeal to me if it wasn't for the subtext , you see A MATTER OR LIFE AND DEATH is a highly political and visionary film that laments the end of the British empire as it's replaced by American ambitions . There's little things that show up the film as being made by people aware of American history and culture . One is the ethnic mix of America , even today many Britons think that the USA is overwhelmingly composed of White Anglo Saxon Protestants when in fact only 51% of Americans are " White European " . The film rightly contains a scene where a multitude of different races confess " I am an American " as Peter is judged by Abraham Farlan , an Anglophobe who was the first revolutionary killed by British forces in The American War Of Independence . As for the " special relationship " between Britain and America - What special relationship ? Powell and Pressburger know their history when it comes to Britain and America . They obviously know their future too

So remember to watch this movie with some of your mind in the past and some of your mind in the present . It's strange , beautiful , poignant and clever but most of all it's a film that would never ever work if it were made in the last 40 years . Can you imagine if the story was set in 2003 and revolved around a British soldier killed in Iraq ?

A Matter of Life and Death, what can you really say that would properly do justice to the genius and beauty of this film. Powell and Pressburger's visual imagination knows no bounds, every frame is filled with fantastically bold compositions. The switches between the bold colours of "the real world" to the stark black and white of heaven is ingenious, showing us visually just how much more vibrant life is. The final court scene is also fantastic, as the judge and jury descend the stairway to heaven to hold court over Peter (David Niven)'s operation.

All of the performances are spot on (Roger Livesey being a standout), and the romantic energy of the film is beautiful, never has there been a more romantic film than this (if there has I haven't seen it). A Matter of Life and Death is all about the power of love and just how important life is. And Jack Cardiff's cinematography is reason enough to watch the film alone, the way he lights Kim Hunter's face makes her all the more beautiful, what a genius, he can make a simple things such as a game of table tennis look exciting. And the sound design is also impeccable; the way the sound mutes at vital points was a decision way ahead of its time

This is a true classic that can restore anyone's faith in cinema, under appreciated on its initial release and by today's audiences, but one of my all time favourites, which is why I give this film a 10/10, in a word - Beautiful.

Few movies can be viewed almost 60 years later, yet remain as engrossing as this one. Technological advances have not dated this classic love story. Special effects used are remarkable for a 1946 movie. The acting is superb. David Niven, Kim Hunter and especially Roger Livesey do an outstanding job. The use of Black and White / Color adds to the creative nature of the movie. It hasn't been seen on television for 20 years so few people are even aware of its existence. It is my favorite movie of all time. Waiting and hoping for the DVD release of this movie for so many years is, in itself, "A Matter of Life and Death".

A Matter of Life and Death had me stunned when I first saw it. The marvellous opening, makes you feel like you are floating among the stars in a place of your own. Then it moves to the horrors of war and the down side of life, men dead and more to follow. The story has already been told a thousand times by other reviewers who were as enchanted by this film as I was. The cinematography, the story, everything was just right. In my book it is the greatest film ever made. I liked the way that the earth is in sometimes beautiful, sometimes gritty Technicolour, then what is above is in mystical Black and White. To my dying days I will always love this film. See it before you die.

I LOVE this movie. Director Michael Powell once stated that this was his favorite movie, and it is mine as well. Powell and Pressburger created a seemingly simple, superbly crafted story - the power of love against "the powers that be". However, its deception lies in the complexity of its "is it real or is it imaginary" premise. Basically, one could argue that it is simply a depiction of the effects of war on a young, poetically inclined airman during WWII. Or is it? The question is never answered one way or the other. Actually, it is never even asked. This continuous understatement is part of the film's appeal.

The innovative photography and cinematography even includes some nice touches portraying the interests of the filmmakers. For instance, Pressburger always wanted to do a cinematic version of Richard Strauss' opera, Der Rosenkavalier, about a young 18th century Viennese aristocrat. This is evident in the brief interlude in which Conductor 71, dressed in all his finery, holds the rose (which appears silver in heaven). The music even has a dreamy quality.

All of the acting is first rate - David Niven is at his most charming, and he has excellent support from veteran Roger Livesey and relative newcomer Kim Hunter. But, in my opinion, the film's charm comes from Marius Goring as Conductor 71. He by far has the most interesting role, filling each of his scenes with his innocent lightheartedness, brightening the film. It's a pity that some of Conductor 71's scenes were left on the cutting room floor. It is also a pity that Goring's comedic talents are rarely seen again on film, except in the wonderful videos of The Scarlet Pimpernel television series from the 1950s. This is by far and away the most memorable role of his film career. He is a perfect foil for relaxed style of Niven, and his virtual overstatement contrasts so nicely with the seriousness of the rest of the characters. Ironically, also in the mid -1940s, Niven also starred against another heavenly "messenger", played by Cary Grant, in The Bishop's Wife. Their acting styles were so similar that I found the result boring, unenergetic, and disappointing. As a note, according to Powell, Goring desperately wanted the role of Peter Carter, initially refusing Conductor 71. It's a good thing he gave in and gave us such a delightful portrayal.

The movie, "commissioned" to smooth over the strained relations between Britain and the U.S., overdrives its point towards the end. But it is disarming in its gentle reminders of the horrors of war - the numerous casualties, both military and civilian, the need to "go on" when faced with death. There is a conspicuous lack of WWII "enemies" in heaven, but the civilians shown are of indeterminate origin. Powell and Pressburger could have been more explicit in their depiction but it wasn't necessary. The movie may not have served its diplomatic purpose as was hoped for, but its originality continues to inspire moviemakers and viewers alike on both sides of the Atlantic.

The great talents of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger are noticeable in their wonderful "A Matter of Life and Death". It was part of the recent tribute to Mr. Powell that played at the Walter Reade in New York. This film, in particular, shows us one of the best British films from that, or any other era.

"A Matter of Life and Death" has a brilliant cinematography by Jack Cardiff, a man who knew how to work wonders with a camera. Particularly impressive is the contrast from the monochromatic tones given to the scenes played in heaven, and the colored ones when the action comes back to earth. This was quite a coup, and well ahead of its times. The black and white sequence that involves the long staircase where Peter and the Conductor are chatting has to be one of the most amazing things on any film.

Much has been said in this forum about the film, so our comment will be about the great acting Powell and Pressberger got out of the large, distinguished cast, who responded magnificently to the directors' guidance.

David Niven, is Peter, whose aircraft is hit and his best friend dies as a result of it. This film marked one of the highlights in Mr. Niven's career. He was an excellent film actor as he shows us in this movie. Kim Hunter is surprisingly good as June, the woman who talked to Peter as his plane was falling from the skies. As fate would have it, Peter and June fall in love at first sight.

Some of the best British film actors grace this film with their presence. Robert Coote, is Bob, the man who is admitted to heaven, but he is surprised his friend Peter never made the trip with him. An excellent star turn by Marius Goring, who as the Conductor 71 steals the film. Mr. Goring, who had worked with the directors, is one of the best things in the movie. Also, Roger Livesey, as Dr. Frank Reeves, does one of the best appearances of his career, as well as Raymond Massey, who is seen as Abraham Farlan.

"A Matter of Life and Death" is a timeless film that will always be seen with gratitude toward its creators.

This movie has the most beautiful opening sequence ever made. I've seen this movie for the first time a week ago, since then every day I see the opening and every time I feel as thrilled as I felt the first time I heard David Niven uttering the immortal words from Sir Walter Raleigh's The Pilgrimage:

Give me my scallop-shell of quiet, My staff of faith to walk upon, My scrip of joy, immortal diet, My bottle of salvation, My gown of glory, hope's true gage; And thus I'll take my pilgrimage (…)

Do you know why it would be a truism to say Michael Powell's and Emeric Pressuburger's lives are thoroughly justified for having crafted such a wonderful opening? Because they had been already admitted in the Paradise of Poets long before they made this movie.

I imagine both of them facing trial during Doomsday and saying nonchalantly to an irate God: I beg your pardon, Sir. So, do You want to know what have we done during our lifetime? Well, well you'll see: We've written directed and produced: I know Where I'm Going, Colonel Blimp, Red Shoes… do you think that enough Sir? It is rather obvious that these two great artists had already fulfilled their duty with God, Nature the Muse or Whatever you may call It when they shot A Matter of Life and Death. The fact that other people's lives would be justified for their deeds could be not apparent to everybody, notwithstanding I feel my life would have a meaning had I never done anything else that to see this movie.

Of course old-timers will be tempted to say: They don't do movies like this one any more. They'll be partially mistaken; they didn't make movies like this in the past times either.

I've have already quoted Keats here, but I'll repeat his words: A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

This visually inventive romantic fantasy is a Powell and Pressburger film about a Royal Airforce pilot who escapes certain death by an administrative error made by heavenly officials. He is left in a limbo between heaven and earth, while at the same time falls in love with a girl. Going against expectations, heaven is shown in monochrome, while Earth is full-on Technicolor. It generated some controversy in its day with its perceived anti British and American sentiments, while its romantic-fantasy-comedy approach to war dead was seen as out-of-order a year after the end of WWII. Whatever the case, its one of the most original films of its day.

To me A Matter of Life and Death is just that- simply the best film ever made.

From beginning to end it oozes class. It is stimulating, thought provoking, a mirror to the post war world and the relations between peoples.

The cinematography is simply stunning and the effect of mixing monochrome and Technicolour to accent the different worlds works seamlessly. The characters and plot development are near perfect and the attention to detail promotes a thoroughly believable fantasy.

No matter how many times I watch the film - and I have watched it a lot - it never fails to touch me. It makes me smile, it makes me laugh, it makes me think, it makes me cry. It is as fresh today as it was in 1946.

If I were allowed just one film to keep and watch again A Matter of Life and Death would be that film.

An american aviador : David Niven who cheats his death must argue about his salvation against a court . As he is trapped in limbo between Heaven and Earth . Along the way , he falls in love for a beautiful American girl : Kim Hunter , living a charming love story . And a psychologist : Roger Livesey becomes involved in the rare affaire, whose happenings are performed out at a hight pitch of tension. As a heavenly tribunal ensues appearing as his defender advocate : Roger Livesey , a prosecutor : Raymond Massey and the celestial tribunal President : Abraham Sofaer .

One of Britain's most prestigious films , it is a strange , fantastic , gorgeous , thrilling , exciting flick with tremendous interpretations . An unique movie , partialy in Technicolor, and the Heaven scenes partly Black and white .And wiith an attractive love story that is as stirring as it is absurd . Made at the instigation of the Ministry of Information, who wanted propaganda stressing the need for goodwill between America and Great Britain. David Niven gives a sympathetic acting as the stubborn pilot who is caught between two worlds . Kim Hunter is also enjoyable as his sweetheart to sacrifice for Niven , she provides a sensitive acting five years before her Academy Award triumph in A Street Named Desire by Elia Kazan . Other important actors excelling as Marius Goring of Red Shoes in a bizarre role , Roger Livesey fresh from his hit in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp , adding Raymond Massey , Robert Coote , Kathleen Byron , Richard Attenborough , Abraham Sofaer ,among others .

Brilliant and picturesque cinematography by Jack Cardiff with the celestial scenes shot in Monochrome and terrestrial ones in colour . It displays assurance Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's direction which manage to make heaven at least as convincing as earth . These directors usually worked together directing some big films such as "49th Parallel , The Dad , Black Narcissus , Red Shoes , Thief of Bagdad , Met by Moolight , One of our Aircraft is missing , Spy in Black , Peeping Tom and Life of Death of Colonel Blimp" .

Well it's no wonder that this film features on both the BFI (British Film Institute)'a Best 100 British and Best 100 of All Time lists. It really is a clever idea and I'm surprised that I haven't seen a newer version of it.

David Niven, who is supposed to be 27, but has always looked at least 50 to me, is Peter, a pilot who is supposed to die, but unfortunately his not so grim, but rather flamboyant reaper couldn't find him in the fog. As a result he falls in love with a girl called June only to find that the reaper is still after him. What follows is an argument between "Heaven" and Earth regarding his right to stay behind with the girl he has fallen so badly for.

A trial is set and this is the only bit that lost me a little. It became a debate about Anglo/American relations and completely missed the great opportunity it had to discuss the rights of the individual, the power of love and even to consider the repercussions should he be allowed to stay on Earth and potentially change the future as it would have been. I understand that this was done in order to bridge relations across the pond as they were a bit frayed at the time, but it seems ill conceived as far as I can see and only promoted the animosity.

The cast all do a fine job and it is produced well.

There is a kid on a beach early on that is naked for no particular reason that confused me and the Colour/Black&White thing doesn't work as well as 'The Wizard Of Oz', but it definitely has a unique take on things.

I also think that the ending can be decided by the audience. There's nothing to say that either reality wasn't true, at least that's how I like to look at it.

The opening flourishes left me purring with delight at their inventiveness - the altered version of the Archers' logo, the introductory disclaimer, the way the camera pans over the cosmos. It's strange to think that `It's a Wonderful Life' came out in the same year. No great coincidence: the 1940s was awash with heaven-and-earth films; but the glowing cotton wool nebulas and cutesy angels of the competition look tattered, something best passed over in silence, when placed next to Alfred Junge's vision.

It continues to look great all the way through, as more and more striking ideas are sprung upon us. I'm not a great fan of mixing colour with black and white in general. One of the two visual schemes almost always looks ugly when placed next to the other. Not so here. Powell dissolves colour into monochrome and monochrome into colour as if it's the most natural thing in the world, a mere change of palettes. Both the colour photography and the black and white could stand on their own.

As for the story ... this may be Pressburger's best script, or at least it would have been had the conclusion been a more logical outcome of preceding events. Other than that it's tight, yet with more going on than I can possibly allude to here. Was the heavenly stuff real or imaginary? (Or both? Perhaps Carter dreamt up a fantasy that was, as it so happened, true.) Everyone says we're meant to neither ask nor answer this question, but I don't see why. I'm sure we ARE meant to ask the question. The film even gives us clues as to what the answer is - indeed, the problem is that there are too many clues and they seem at first to be pointing in different directions. The fact that other things ought to occupy our attention as well doesn't mean that this shouldn't occupy us as well. There is, as I've said before, a lot going on.

Consider the scene in which Abraham Farlan (Heaven's prosecuting lawyer) plays a radio broadcast of a cricket match, and contemptuously says, `The voice of England, 1945.' Dr. Reeves (the defence) acknowledges the exhibit with a great deal of embarrassment, and then produces one of his own: a blues song from America, which Farlan listens to as though he's got a lemon in his mouth. Reeves looks smug.

Snobbery? Well, I don't see why it's snobbish to condemn blues music - and that's not what Powell and Pressburger are doing, anyway. As the song is being played, we get a shot of the American soldiers listening to it: several of them nod their heads to the rhythm, perfectly at home. THEY don't find it incomprehensible. There's something valuable about the song and neither Reeves nor Farlan knows what it is. Reeves probably realises as much. All English audiences (and all Australian, Indian, etc. audiences as well) know without being told that there is something of value in the cricket broadcast, too; and that while Reeves understands THAT, he is unable to explain it to Farlan - hence the blues broadcast, which shows that people can understand each other without sharing an understanding of everything else. It's a clever scene.

One last thing. I found David Niven a bit cold, without the charisma he would acquire later in his career; but even so, I don't think a film has grabbed my heart quite so quickly after the action began, as this one did.

WW2. RAF pilot Peter Carter's plane is shot to pieces and his parachute is destroyed. In his final distress call he talks to American WREN June on the radio and they bond at that time, when Peter knows he is doomed. They bid farewell and Peter jumps to his death. Later he wakes on a beach to find he survived and he runs to meet June and the two quickly fall in love. However, in heaven there is panic as one of the collectors of souls admits he missed collecting Peter at the moment of his death due to the thick fog all round. When Peter learns of this he appeals and a heavenly court case is convened in order to decide his fate.

This film was made on request from the MOD (ministry of defence). At the time they wanted a film that was set in wartime and stressed the importance of Britain and America overcoming any cultural differences between them and to stand together. The end result could have easily been a big flag waving exercise that would have been historically added to the pile of average propaganda made around the time (albeit for good reason).

However the actual end result is that the film transcends what it could have been and turns into something that is quite wonderful – witty and moving at the same time. The actual story is a little cheesy and on paper sounds like it could be a disaster and in reality it could have been. The film is never clear if it is real or if it is all in Peter's head and it doesn't matter. The plot allows plenty of nice touches as well as romance. The romantic/emotional side of films don't always wash with me but here I was gripped from the start simply by the powerful radio scene. It's very British (stiff upper lip) but still very moving.

The film just about hangs in there during the middle section where Peter falls in love and his supposed hallucinations are discussed by doctors but the film really comes strong in it's climactic court scene. It is witty and plays on national stereotypes really well and makes the point without forcing it down our throats. It works very well and even the sentimentality is well handled and is never as sugary as it could have been.

Niven is superb and is typically British in the lead. Hunter is pretty good but a little too sappy. The strength of the film is in it's support cast – the final courtroom scene relies more on the support cast than Niven or Hunter (who are barely in it towards the end) and yet it works very well. In fact the best characters are all in the afterlife and not the film's real world. The best element of the film is that the direction and sets are great. The gimmick of b/w and colour works better than expected and the use of it really works well – but shouldn't heaven be in colour and earth in monochrome? Maybe that was the point, I guess. The sets are really good and it's easy to be impressed by that staircase even by today's standards – not technically but just in the power of the image.

Overall this is a solid film. I don't think it deserves all the praise that it gets and if I had to list my top 100 then I'm not sure it would be in there but that's not to take away from it because it is a wonderful piece of work. The emotion is powerful without being sentimental and the film is witty and moving in equal measure.

I didn't see A Matter of Life and Death until fairly recently, and after seeing it and being blown away by it I am asking why it took me this long to see it. A Matter of Life and Death for me is one of the best British films ever made, and as a fantasy it is truly dazzling. The film is beautiful to look at, not only in the cinematography but in the sets and costumes. The score is another strength, it is both beautiful and haunting, I still have the main theme in my head now. The story is wonderful, and the script is one that makes you laugh, think and even cry with a touch of political outspokenness in it. The direction is great, and the performances are right on the money. David Niven is superb and Kim Hunter is sweet and innocent, while Robert Livesey comes very, very close to stealing the film. In conclusion, dazzling and a timeless classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"A Matter of Life and Death" is one of the most original British scripts so far. Intelligent, political, satirical and rich in ingredients about life, death and love. The cinematography is spectacular for the 40's, especially for the minimum graphics resources of the time. There are clever scenes like the one for picking the defence attorney, with several statues of immortals of the World. In my opinion, the plot should be more elaborate, going deeper into why to extend Peter Carter's life on Earth. Overall, it's a good movie with great performances by David Niven and Roger Livesey.

Why is this movie not in the 250 best? This movie looks still astoundingly fresh 56 years after its production but it could only have been made at the aftermath of W.W.II because of the perception of the nearness of death. People were more aware that life could be stopped at one unexpected moment. And what after life? I liked the scene at the end with the judgment and all people of all nations gathered. The phlegmatic judge (Abraham Sofaer-a typical British judge-), Doctor Reeves (Roger Livesey) defending Peter Carter (David Niven) and also June (Kim Hunter) against the American prosecutor Abraham Farlan (Raymond Massey I -there is a reason why it is an American-). It is all so imaginative! Michael Powell wrote, directed and produced this astonishing movie which is a real "tour-de-force". The message of the movie is clear: in the universe the law is the most important but on earth nothing goes beyond the love between humans. The way in which this beautiful story is told is far more interesting than any Hollywood-movie could ever make.

I found the premise quite intriguing, though it's been done many times. It begins with the very idea that in the celestial world a mistake has been made. At times the idea of eternity is made comical in that they have let in a bunch of buffoons and careless people. I was also interested to see that for the most part, the military is running heaven. People wear insignia and act in a way that says, I am your commander. That would be appropriate since the military has sent so many people to death. Of course, all the dead are decked out in whatever uniform fit the time they served. They seem to have the final say over everything. OK. I'll get beyond that. There are a great many speeches made about love and patriotism and nationalism. The interpretation of love is pretty short and doesn't seem to include much about the love that humans should have for each other on a day to day basis. I really liked the beginning, but when the windbags took over, especially Raymond Massey, the rhetoric was all over. Why would these characters be granted that other than some propagandistic soapbox.

On 02 May 1945 during the World War II, the Englishman and Commander Peter David Carter (David Niven) is returning to England in a bomber on fire, without parachute and with the pilot Bob (Robert Coote) dead. He contacts June (Kum Hunter) from the American Air Force on land and they start a conversation. June tells that she is single and is presently living in Lee Wood, at the seaside, and Peter explains his situation and asks June to send a telegram to his mother, and tells that he will jump from the plane since he does not want to burn with the plane. Peter awakes in the surf of Lee Wood beach and he meets June and they fall in love with each other.

Meanwhile in Heaven, the Conductor 71 (Marius Goring) admits to the Powers That Be that he committed a mistake and lost Peter in the fog. Then he meets Peter and tells him that he must go to Heaven since he should have died in the fall. But Peter claims to the Court of Appeals in Heaven claiming that the negligence of the Department of Records had allowed him to fall in love with June and he deserves a second chance.

Down on Earth, June takes Peter to Doctor Reeves (Roger Livesey) and the doctor finds a brain concussion that may be causing hallucinations in Peter and tells that he must operate in an urgent basis. While Peter is submitted to a surgery, Heaven agrees to open a case in court and judge his fate.

"A Matter of Life and Death" is an extraordinary film that combines drama, fantasy and romance in a wonderful ambiguous story. The lines and dialogs are impressive, with citations of philosophers and historic events, and it is never possible to know whether Peter's destiny was decided in this or in the other world. I loved the conclusion of Conductor 71 that life is more beautiful in Technicolor. The most important and beautiful is the final message that in the end nothing is stronger than love. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Neste Mundo e no Outro" ("In This World and in the Other")

The amount of love and admiration this "emperor has no clothes" piece of drivel is getting from both critics and audiences is absolutely astounding to me. As I was watching it for the first time a couple of months ago, with my expectations built up by all the hype, all I could feel afterward was utter confusion and disbelief that this mediocre (at best) attempt at fantasy is considered anywhere near a cinematic masterpiece. Sure, there are some redeemable qualities about it (Jack Cardiff's cinematography comes to mind), and I guess it was technically advanced for its time, but overall, as a movie, as a story, it simply didn't work for me. I didn't find anything profound or thought-provoking in it. In fact, it struck me as unbearably silly, sappy, ridden with cliches, superficial and boring. And don't get me started about that ridiculous 'heavenly tribunal' scene. Ugh.

Amongst the classic movies, this is one of the hardest to pigeonhole. It imaginatively combines several genres into one story, with plenty of drama, romance, and fantasy, plus some good dry humor sprinkled in liberally. The story, characters, and settings are all creative, and the way that Powell and Pressburger put it all together into a cohesive whole shows an expert touch.

Many things about it defy expectations, and keep you just enough off-balance to make you pay close attention to each new development. David Niven and Kim Hunter work well as the young couple in the midst of a bizarre situation, making their responses believable and their characters sympathetic. Marius Goring, Roger Livesey, and Raymond Massey each get some good moments.

The story is easy to summarize, but to do so could make it seem rather trivial. The basic setup could easily have led into a rather routine and predictable romance movie, but instead it takes some interesting turns and brings out some worthwhile ideas. It's an unusual and enjoyable film, not flawless but quite imaginative, and one that those who enjoy classic cinema will want to see for themselves.