A Matter of Life and Death

(Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, UK 1946, 104 min., DCP)

Powell and Pressburger’s magical images are on full display in this film as David Niven plays an RAF pilot who, just after meeting the girl of his dreams (Kim Hunter), is killed in action. He then finds himself before a court in Heaven where he must plead his case in order to be returned to Earth. Beautifully photographed in Technicolor, this is generally considered as the Archers' (as Powell and Pressburger were calling themselves) masterpiece. #78 on the Sight & Sound List.