Phantom threads: original costume designs for A Matter of Life and Death
Costume designs for this world and the next by Hein Heckroth for Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s immortal fantasy A Matter of Life and Death.
Costume designer Hein Heckroth’s original watercolour design for the airman jacket and overalls worn by pilot Peter Carter (David Niven) in the opening scenes on the beach.
The resulting uniform modelled by David Niven in A Matter of Life and Death (1946).
Niven wearing the airman jacket.
The design for the outfit that Carter is wearing when he finds himself on the stairway to heaven.
Heckroth’s design for the 18th-century garb worn by Conductor 71, the heavenly agent (and former French aristocrat) who collects Carter to escort him to heaven.
Marius Goring playing Conductor 71.
The design for a suit and overcoat worn by Dr Frank Reeves, the physician whose help June (Kim Hunter) calls upon to advise on Carter’s apparent concussion.
Roger Livesey playing Dr Reeves, as he finds himself defending Carter’s right to continue living in a heavenly court.
How Heckroth imagined the judge’s outfit.
Abraham Sofaer playing the judge who holds Carter’s fate in his hands.
