A Matter of Life and Death - Part 1
A WW2 bomber pilot survives a plane crash unharmed. But when the authorities in heaven realise their mistake, will they let him live? A new adaptation of the classic 1946 film.
1944. Squadron Leader Peter Carter miraculously survives a jump from his burning plane, and falls in love with June, an American radio operator. He ought to be dead - the heavenly authorities have missed him in the sea fog. Peter demands an appeal, but will they let him live?
A Matter of Life and Death is a new adaptation of the classic 1946 movie by Emeric Powell and Michael Pressburger. Commissioned by the Ministry of Information as a propaganda exercise to aid Anglo-American relations, Powell and Pressburger instead delivered an epic romance about love, the afterlife and brain surgery. Even today it frequently tops lists of the greatest films ever made, and is referenced in everything from Wallace and Gromit to the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
Cast:
Peter Carter….. Will Tudor
June Archer….. Lydia West
Frank Reeves….. Geoff McGivern
Administrator 48….. Miles Jupp
Bob Trubshawe….. Jonny Weldon
Other roles played by Alix Dunmore, David Benson, Jack Lane, Dan Starkey and Justice Ritchie
Written by Ben Cottam
Adapted from the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Editing and sound design by Richard Fox
Music by Howard Carter
Produced and directed by Simon Barnard
A Bafflegab production for ±«Óătv Radio 4
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Broadcast
- Sat 14 Oct 2023 15:00±«Óătv Radio 4
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