Verdict
Summary
Heavens Above! is a delightful little filmHeavens Above that, like its appealing protagonist, might be considered progressive and controversial even today with its faith-based approach. It’s technically a comedy, I guess, but it’s not a spoof and I see it as a serious film with a message that resonates. Sellers is great in the lead role, and while the film is sometimes pretty funny, it never goes over the top into farce, even if the film’s description says it does.
Plot:
An unconventional reverend completely upends his parish with traditional Biblical values that don’t exactly align with those of the Church of England.
Review:
A prison chaplain named John Smallwood (Peter Sellers in a very understated and restrained role) is suddenly assigned to a parish way outside of his typical routine, landing himself smack in the middle of a wealthy area full of rich snobs and a church congregation that is complacent and failing. As soon as he gets there, he shocks everyone around him with his Biblical ideals that are considered progressive and daring, but Smallwood’s faith and frankness are right on the money, if you ask me. He stirs up the hearts and souls of his congregation to begin a system of giving, and as soon as he launches his campaign of giving to the poor, it captures the attention of the media and the Church of England because his methods are considered highly controversial. And then the penny drops: Smallwood was mistakenly assigned to this parish … and there’s another John Smallwood! But this Smallwood refuses to step down and allow himself to be shoved under the rug and reassigned because he’s actually making a difference and causing people all over England to be convicted in their hearts to follow the Bible and Jesus’s teachings. Ultimately, Smallwood’s mission becomes a focal point of interest in the British government, and they ask him to be a missionary to the astronauts who will be launched into space, but things go a little wonky when Smallwood sees the undiscovered country of the cosmos as his next parish!
Heavens Above! is a delightful little filmHeavens Above that, like its appealing protagonist, might be considered progressive and controversial even today with its faith-based approach. It’s technically a comedy, I guess, but it’s not a spoof and I see it as a serious film with a message that resonates. Sellers is great in the lead role, and while the film is sometimes pretty funny, it never goes over the top into farce, even if the film’s description says it does. Director John Boulting co-wrote the film, and his brother Roy produced.
Kino Lorber brings Heaven’s Above! to high definition Blu-ray, and the film looks and sounds up to Kino’s high standards. The disc comes with an audio commentary by authors and comedy historians. The film is presented in a 1:66:1 aspect ratio.
