Product Details

• Actors: David Niven, Kim Hunter, James Mason, Helen Mirren, Jack MacGowran
• Directors: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell
• Writers: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Norman Lindsay, Peter Yeldham
• Producers: Emeric Pressburger, George R. Busby
• Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click here.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009
• Run Time: 210 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001IZNIV4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,183 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Age of Consent / Stairway to Heaven (Double Feature)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

FILMS OF MICHAEL POWELL:AGE OF CONSEN - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest unknown film maker's double bill, March 2, 2009

By 

Doug Murray - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Age of Consent / Stairway to Heaven (Double Feature) (DVD)

I was introduced to Michael Powell's work by a friend who loved 'The Red Shoes'. Although I dislike musicals, that film had such visual poetry that I loved it the instant I saw it.
I have made it a point to see his other films wherever possible and 'Stairway to Heaven', seen several times on TV, was always a favorite. Oddly, it has never been available in any video format--until now.
This double feature has a pristine print of Stairway which remains a favorite and a film everyone should see.
Accompanying it is Powell's final film--'Age of Consent', which I had never before seen. It features a fine, measured performance by James Mason--and a first-time showing by Helen Mirren.
Viewing these and Powell's other films show just how good this man was. I find it amazing that one film--'Peeping Tom', derailed his career so completely.
In any case, this is a great DVD with two amazing films--and when you see them, you will seek out his other works.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Age of Consent, December 25, 2008

By 

a movie fan (Orangevale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Age of Consent / Stairway to Heaven (Double Feature) (DVD)

Age of Consent is long overdue and a delightful film to see. As with some films of that vintage set in Australia, it has an English director and stars, but the native joy of the novel by Norman Lindsay (the painter in Sirens) shines through. James Mason plays the painter who spends a season on a remote Queensland island, and finds a youngish (and solidly built) Helen Mirren to paint. Most of the film is fluff, except for a nasty turn by Mirren's mother, but Powell's light touch is perfect and you get to spend time in an astonishingly beautiful corner of Oz. Actually, watching this film feels like taking a holiday. Recommended.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "A Matter of Life and Death", August 8, 2009

By 

David Chesterton "Indigo" (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Age of Consent / Stairway to Heaven (Double Feature) (DVD)

I think the original title, 'A Matter of Life and Death', is far more explicit than the North American, 'Stairway to Heaven'.
The first time I saw the film I was in my early teens and felt it offered a far more interesting view of an 'after-life' than the vague religious idea the church tried to depict.
In 1949 while serving with the RAF I flew on a liaison mission with the USAAF. We landed at Los Angeles and during our brief stay were entertained by Hollywood. I met David Niven at that time and we corresponded for many years -- his letters were full of comic comments on his movies.
'A Matter of Life and Death' is quite an historical film as it demonstrates the incredible amount of work that had to be put into special effects long before FX technology was developed. Michael Powell had to work with cut and paste filmwork and extensive manpower for things like his moving staircase.
Having the film on DVD means that I will probably rerun this one at least once each year.
David Chesterton