A Matter of Life and Death
Performance & Direction: A Matter of Life and Death Review
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is A Matter of Life and Death (1946) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Romance is often anchored by its ensemble, and A Matter of Life and Death features a noteworthy lineup led by David Niven . Supported by the likes of Kim Hunter and Roger Livesey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: A Matter of Life and Death
Quick Plot Summary: A Matter of Life and Death is a Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Comedy film that explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: A Matter of Life and Death
Ending Breakdown: A Matter of Life and Death resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to romance resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the romance themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of A Matter of Life and Death demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch A Matter of Life and Death?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Romance cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate heartfelt love stories and emotional depth
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: A Matter of Life and Death
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $450.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
A Matter of Life and Death Budget
The estimated production budget for A Matter of Life and Death is $450.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: A Matter of Life and Death
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Where to Watch A Matter of Life and Death Online?
Streaming HubA Matter of Life and Death Parents Guide & Age Rating
1946 AdvisoryWondering about A Matter of Life and Death age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of A Matter of Life and Death is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.8/10, and global performance metrics, A Matter of Life and Death is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1946 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Matter of Life and Death worth watching?
A Matter of Life and Death is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 7.8/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find A Matter of Life and Death parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for A Matter of Life and Death identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of A Matter of Life and Death?
The total duration of A Matter of Life and Death is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.
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Critic Reviews for A Matter of Life and Death
Jack Cardiff shows off the cinematographers art to beautiful effect in this Powell and Pressberger tale of a WWII pilot (David Niven) who cheats death, falls in love (with Kim Hunter) and then argues before a heavenly court why he should not have to die (yet) after all. The story is tinged with humour and pathos and poses some fairly basic "human rights" questions. Marius Goring - "Conductor 71" is slightly menacing and totally charming as he tries to persuade Niven to volunteer for his fate - a thankless task in itself. Roger Livesey is superb arguing for Niven with an equally impressive - if somewhat anti-English - Raymond Massey as his opponent. The stark contrast between the monochrome scenes on Earth and the vibrant colours of the celestial world bring much to this stylish, clever and at times almost dreamily presented joy.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









