{"id":80194,"date":"2022-01-10T14:31:32","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T21:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80194"},"modified":"2022-01-11T00:31:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T07:31:37","slug":"stairway-to-heaven-matter-of-life-and-death-a-1946","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80194","title":{"rendered":"Stairway to Heaven \/ Matter of Life and Death, A (1946)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Tell me: do you believe in the survival of the human personality after death?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster-204x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-80196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster-204x300.png 204w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster-696x1024.png 696w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster-87x128.png 87w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster-183x270.png 183w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Poster.png 755w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen an RAF pilot (David Niven) in a burning plane calls a ground operator (Kim Hunter) to inform her he&#8217;ll be jumping to his death, the two fall instantly in love. Meanwhile, up in heaven, Niven&#8217;s dead co-pilot (Robert Coote) asks the main attendant (Kathleen Byron) about Niven&#8217;s absence, and when Byron determines that an error has occurred, she sends an angel (Marius Goring) down to Earth to retrieve him. However, Niven &#8212; alive but with headaches &#8212; has no intention of leaving Hunter, who has enlisted the help of a surgeon (Roger Livesey) in determining why Niven has been &#8220;hallucinating&#8221; visits from Goring.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Airplanes and Pilots<\/li>\n<li>Courtroom Drama<\/li>\n<li>David Niven Films<\/li>\n<li>Death and Dying<\/li>\n<li>Fantasy<\/li>\n<li>Kim Hunter Films<\/li>\n<li>Life After Death<\/li>\n<li>Michael Powell Films<\/li>\n<li>Raymond Massey Films<\/li>\n<li>Roger Livesey Films<\/li>\n<li>Romance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMichael Powell and Emeric Pressburger&#8217;s follow-up to <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2830\"><em>I Know Where I&#8217;m Going!<\/em> (1945)<\/a> was this beautifully filmed fantasy-romance about the liminality of life and death, paying homage to the many brave RAF pilots who lost their lives during World War II. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-1024x757.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-1024x757.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-768x568.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Niven-Pilot.png 1251w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The idea of a pilot-in-crisis being able to reach a beautiful operator on the ground and connect with her romantically: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-1024x761.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-1024x761.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Hunter.png 1245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; then survive a fall without a parachute: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-1024x757.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-1024x757.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-768x568.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Pilot-Alive.png 1243w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; plays into the ultimate fantasy so many must have held about their sons, brothers, and partners during the war: they&#8217;re only missing, not deceased; they will reconnect with their loved ones; they can fight back against death. It&#8217;s a lovely wishful vision, richly portrayed here through Jack Cardiff&#8217;s lush cinematography (Technicolor on Earth, b&#038;w for heaven):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-1024x761.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-1024x761.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Tear-Rose.png 1245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-1024x764.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-1024x764.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron-362x270.png 362w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Byron.png 1245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Alfred Junge&#8217;s other-worldly sets:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-1024x765.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-1024x765.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-768x574.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Stairway2.png 1243w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and a storyline that repeatedly goes in unexpected directions. We wonder &#8212; what role will Livesey&#8217;s motorcycle-riding neurosurgeon play in the drama? <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-1024x766.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-1024x766.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-768x574.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven-Livesey.png 1253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Will effete Goring be successful in his ploys to bring Niven over to the heavenly side? <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-1024x759.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"474\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-1024x759.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger-364x270.png 364w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Messenger.png 1251w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What function will Raymond Massey play in the &#8220;courtroom&#8221; proceedings &#8212; and why does it seem like the storyline has suddenly become a referendum on British-American relations? <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-1024x769.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-1024x769.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-768x577.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Massey.png 1245w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While I&#8217;m not a huge fan of the final &#8220;movement&#8221; of this cinematic symphony (i.e., the heavenly courtroom scenes), this doesn&#8217;t really matter given that it&#8217;s the visuals and sentiments that count the most, and those are on ample display throughout. This unique film should be seen by all film fanatics as a fine example of creative, romantic expression at its most liberated.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jack Cardiff&#8217;s stunning cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-1024x762.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-768x572.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Hunter-Niven6.png 1253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-1024x758.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"474\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-1024x758.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Camera-Obscura2.png 1249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Alfred Junge&#8217;s sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-1024x758.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"474\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-1024x758.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-to-Heaven-Set.png 1255w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-1024x765.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-1024x765.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-768x574.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Stairway-Set5.png 1243w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a unique outing by master directors. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1458\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0038733\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1946\/12\/26\/archives\/the-screen-in-review-stairway-to-heaven-a-british-production-at.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/matter-of-life-and-death-1946-stairway-to-heaven.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2791powe.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=1838&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/91240\/a-matter-of-life-and-death#articles-reviews?articleId=102781\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Tell me: do you believe in the survival of the human personality after death?&#8221; Synopsis: When an RAF pilot (David Niven) in a burning plane calls a ground operator (Kim Hunter) to inform her he&#8217;ll be jumping to his death, the two fall instantly in love. Meanwhile, up in heaven, Niven&#8217;s dead co-pilot (Robert Coote) asks the main attendant (Kathleen Byron) about Niven&#8217;s absence, and when Byron determines that an error has occurred, she sends an angel (Marius Goring) down&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80194\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"&quot;Tell me: do you believe in the survival of the human personality after death?&quot; Synopsis: When an RAF pilot (David Niven) in a burning plane calls a ground operator (Kim Hunter) to inform her he&#039;ll be jumping to his death, the two fall instantly in love. 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