[Fred_C]

I'm still looking for any information on the dvd release date of "matter of life and death" or "stairway to heaven" (David Niven)..

[Mark Walker]

Fred-

Many of us are.

With Columbia's track record of crummy picture quality of classics on DVD (as of late), the only
glimmer of hope I have for the eventual release of this
title, is that, apparently, Columbia paid for an exspensive
restoration for this film.

Still, no sign of it on the horizon.

Mark

[Brian PB]

It appears that IMDb is in error when they say that Universal owns rights to this film (I notice that Columbia/Tristar also released the VHS version).

I, too, have my eyes peeled for this release.

[Ben_D]

Any chance Criterion will license this title? They love Powell and Pressburger.

[John Hodson]

Just re-released in R2 by Carlton in a double-disk set with The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp; but I would also love to see Criterion get their hands on this.

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So many films, so little time...

[Brian PB]

From the Criterion chat in October 2001:

Question: Wow! Well, first of all, I would like to thank you for exposing me
to some great films! THE THIRD MAN, in particular! What I am wondeing is this:
Jon e-mailed me and said that A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH and DOUBLE INDEMNITY
are titles you would persue if you could get the rights. Is there any help we can give
to encourage Universal to let you do these?

Answer (Jon Mulvaney): These are perennial favorites with the Criterion crew. They're always
possibilities, but so far the opportunity hasn't arisen.

If this film were controlled by Universal, there might be a chance, since Criterion has had a working relationship with them. But if it's controlled by Columbia/Tristar, it makes it much less likely.

[Brian PB]

But if it's controlled by Columbia/Tristar, it makes it much less likely.

As if to emphasize this point, Barrie Maxwell's column today at the Digital Bits is devoted to Columbia/Tristar. A quotation from his column:

There is little likelihood of any Columbia titles to which the company retains the rights being licensed to other distributors for DVD release. This position would change only if a business opportunity arose that fit Columbia's long-term goals.

Barry offers the following info on A Matter of Life and Death/Stairway to Heaven:

Status of Powell and Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death (1946) - It took two years to get access to original source material at the British Film Institute, but restoration on this title is now complete and a high definition transfer has been done. The film has been added to Columbia's schedule for release. It is still a minimum of four months away, though, as Columbia adheres strictly to a policy of only making specific release information available for titles it expects to release within three-to-four months.

[Paul Penna]

So, is it going to be in a snapper or a keepcase? How about inserts?

[Rain]

This has been discussed a few times. Here's the info that was assembled:

The film is owned by Columbia/Tristar.

The film has been restored within the last few years.

P&P hated the American title "Stairway to Heaven." Please don't call it that. :p)

When it will appear on DVD is anyone's guess.

[John Hodson]

It's now only a matter of a few months away according to this thread! .

Good stuff.

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So many films, so little time...

[Fred_C]

Will we be having an online chat with columbia anytime soon? we can then ask them directly.

[Rain]

Sweet!

Let us all now make a pact never to refer to it by that other title ever again...Um, someone please tell Leonard Maltin that too.