I'm still looking for any information on the dvd release date of "matter of life and death" or "stairway to heaven" (David Niven)..
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
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.
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. --- So many films, so little time...
From the Criterion chat in October 2001: 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.
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.
It's now only a matter of a few months away according to this thread! . Good stuff. --- So many films, so little time...
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.
Just reviving this thread; any news from Columbia on A Matter of Life and Death? --- So many films, so little time...
No news yet. But, if you have a multiregion player, it is available on a UK DVD on a double feature disc with COLONEL BLIMP, for less than the Criterion BLIMP DVD. No extras though.
Yes, please don't call it *that* - leave that title to Led Zeppelin. I'm a devoted Powell-Pressburger fan. A Matter of Life and Death is one of my most favourite films. This is great news. It's still sad that the Criterion edition of The Tales of Hoffman is in limbo because of the elements. It isn't available in any country, I don't have it on VHS and it never shows up on TV anymore. It's an astonishing film. It's George Romero's (!) favourite film, so it would be great if Criterion could get him to record an introduction/commentary in addition to Scorsese's commentary. +---------> +--------->
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH is available from Movies Unlimited. It is from Nostalgia Family and is a fair--but "watery" in spots-- transfer. It is the American version running 4 minutes shorter than the original version release (and the Columbia tape) and there is supposedly a scene involving a nude sheperd boy that has been omitted. The dvd bears an FBI warning, thus it is not a pirate. Last I heard was that there was a rights issue. (At one point, I recall Universal owned the rights back in the 80s with the notion of remaking it as a John Travolta film!) I recall that a couple of years ago a special edition (maybe even a 2-disc) was released in England with an audio commentary by Jack Cardiff. I strongly recommend a gorgeous transfer of Powell's GONE TO EARTH (1950)--Powell's original version of THE WILD HEART (1952) with Jennifer Jones, which was disasterously recut by David Selznick and redirected by Rouben Mamoulian. It is available NTSC all regions from koreandvds.com. Just kill the subtitles. it's essential for Powell & Pressburger completists.
