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Special Features
- Director Martin Scorsese on A Matter of Life and Death and Age of Consent
- Commentary by historian Ian Christie on A Matter of Life and Death
- Commentary by historian Kent Jones on Age of Consent
- Helen Mirren: A Conversation With Cora
- Down Under with Ron and Valerie Taylor
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A true marvel, A Matter of Life and Death is one of the best films by the storied English filmmaking team known as the Archers: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Among other felicities, this 1946 fantasy has one of the most crackling opening ten minutes of any movie you'll ever see: after a deceptively dreamy prologue, we are thrown into the conversation between an airman (David Niven) whose torched plane is about to crash in the English Channel, and an American military radio operator (Kim Hunter) operating the radio on the ground. Their touching exchange, made urgent by his imminent death, is breathtakingly visualized (you have never seen a WWII plane interior quite as vividly as this). What follows is glorious: Niven's death has been missed by an otherworldly collector (Marius Goring)--all that thick English fog, you know--and so he gets to argue his case for life before a heavenly tribunal. The heaven sequences are in pearly black-and-white, the earthly material in stunning Technicolor (the color is the cause of a particularly good in-joke). The Powell-Pressburger brief on behalf of humanity is both romantic and witty, and the wonderful cast is especially enriched by Roger Livesey (the star of Powell and Pressburger's The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp), as a doctor with a camera obscura and an enormous heart.
Age of Consent, the other film in this two-disc set, comes from a much later period in Powell's career--indeed, close to the end of it. Made on a low budget in Australia in 1969, the movie depicts a disenchanted painter (James Mason) finding renewal in the isolation of an island and the beauty of the young woman (Helen Mirren) who models for him. The salt-and-pepper authority of Mason and the nubile freshness of Mirren give pleasure, although the theme is too on-the-nose (and Jack MacGowran's comic relief too broad) for a really subtle take on Powell's part. Extras include a seven-minute Martin Scorsese comment for AMOLAD, and a commentary track on that film by Powell-Pressburger authority Ian Christie; Scorsese chimes in again for Age of Consent, as does Helen Mirren, whose memories of her first movie are specific and fond. Kent Jones contributes the commentary track, a 10-minute interview with underwater photographers Ron and Valerie Taylor includes some Mirren comments, and a 16-minute making-of documentary gives some flavor of the set, including the memories of Powell's son Kevin. --Robert Horton
Product Description
One of Michael Powell's most requested films, Stairway To Heaven is a marvelous 1946 fantasy film regarding a WWII pilot who claims he was accidently chosen to die and now must plead his case in front of a heavenly court. Age of Consent was based on real-life Bohemian artist Norman Lindsay (who's story was retold in the 1994 film "Sirens."), who escapes life in New York City to find his muse again in Australia in the form of an underage girl (Helen Mirren) who he convinces to pose naked for him. Complications ensue...
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Doug Murray
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
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
38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By a movie fan
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
great movie
this was a good movie, alittle unexpected in the story line but a great watch. David Niven was really good
Published 2 months ago by yolanda v diaz
3.0 out of 5 stars
One for the price of one.
"A Matter of Life and Death" is one of the greatest films ever made. I lost interest in the other one (what was its name?) after about 10 minutes. Thus the three-star rating. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Miles Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
I'd only known it as "Stairway to Heaven" and I wasn't aware of its unique inception (read up on the history of the movie). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Barbara Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars
British Cinema at its' very very best!
This is simply one of the best British films ever made! (In my opinion) To think that this was made in 1946 seems incredible! Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. A. Bradford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Age of Consent is Great
I have only viewed "Age of consent", which is why I purchased this dvd. I feel a connection to this artistic life story since I have lived a life similar. Read more
Published 4 months ago by arthur w. lemner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart Warming
I bought this for A Matter ofLife and Death, which when I saw itwas called Stairway to Heaven.It is a wonderful, heart wretching film of love a sacrifice. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kathleen L. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even Better in the Theatre
I saw "A Matter of Life and Death" in the theatre (I think it was the *newly remodeled* Rialto in Tacoma), the same place I saw *Casablanca*, around 1990 or so. Read more
Published 12 months ago by monkeygrudge
4.0 out of 5 stars
Two Movies: One Great and One Not Bad (Spoiler)
I really enjoyed Stairway to Heaven. It took on big themes in a compelling and entertaining fashion. Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. F. Leslie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Focus on Age of Consent
I, as others, bought this for the Technicolor wonder `Stairway to Heaven', and it is beautiful in its full English Technicolour Glory. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Daryl Carstensen
3.0 out of 5 stars
Surprise bonus video
I bought this 2-DVD set because I wanted "Stairway to Heaven" starring David Niven, but it came with a second film by the same director, "Age of Innocence," starring James Mason... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dick Miller
