Product Details

• Actors: Peter Sellers, Cecil Parker, Isabel Jeans, Ian Carmichael, Bernard Miles
• Directors: Roy Boulting, John Boulting
• Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003
• Run Time: 118 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007AJE7
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,001 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Peter Sellers

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
British cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s turned out a series of gently satirical films that mocked established institutions, and Heavens Above! is the member of the group that turned its attention to religion. Peter Sellers, in an unusually low-key performance that's all the better for being underplayed, stars as a young vicar whose tendencies to interpret Christian doctrines in his own individualistic way, rather than conform to church traditions, leads to all kinds of chaos. He really believes, for example, in taking from the rich to give the poor. It's a quietly funny film rather than a festival of belly laughs, but the points it scores against religious hypocrisies are deftly and persuasively made, and it's one of those British comedies in which squadrons of wonderful character actors fill out the minor roles. Any fan of vintage British comedy will find a cast including Irene Handl, Eric Sykes, Miriam Karlin, Ian Carmichael, Cecil Parker, and Roy Kinnear hard to resist, and there are also very brief appearances from Derek Nimmo and Rodney Bewes at the beginning of their careers. --Andy Medhurst

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metaphor, satire and a brilliant critique, June 18, 2003

By	Joseph Johnson "verbidei" (ELLENSBURG, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Heavens Above" immediately preceded "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Pink Panther" with Sellers at the top of his form. He blends into the role of Rev. Smallwood with such completeness that he seemingly went through catechism and seminary - perhaps even journeyed back in time to the Sermon on the Mount.
Smallwood is mistakenly placed as the priest of small town, which is profoundly in need of a priest. Unfortunately, what the town needs and what they want are entirely opposite. Without agenda and in full conviction of the Christian gospel, Smallwood takes every utterance of Jesus as the standard by which society should operate. Smallwood's attempt in the twentieth-century works about as well as his first-century counterpart's.
A truly thoughtful, humorous, and insightful film, "Heaven's Above" is as near to an original clergy film as any in the last century. It is a step beyond satire - more of a hypothetical exercise. The difference between loving and absolutely loving the film depends completely on how the ending is received: (Should it have ended earlier? Is it a departure from the character? Too much farce?) Cinematography is splendid and witty, acting is thoroughly successful and the DVD transfer is crisp and rich. The biographical text on Sellers is interesting. If only there were more extras....

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic film indeed..go buy it now!!!, January 22, 2003

By	Paul (NC, United States) - See all my reviews

This film is in a class of it's own. A classic 1960's black and white movie from the UK that is better, much better than you might think. Set in a typical parish in rural England, Peter Sellers plays a kind, honest and loyal vicar that battles church, the locals and goverment to do what is right for a family of gypsies.
It's the kind of film that makes you feel good, and that is what counts.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very funny social/religious satire with Sellers. Say n'more!, October 3, 2007

By	K. Swanson (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a brilliant script and movie.
Sellers inhabits his role perfectly, the supporting players are all spot on, and the endless barbs and accompanying subtle visual gags are often laugh out loud funny.
And boy oh boy, no mercy is shown to organized religion and big business (if there is any real difference). Razor sharp satire hits home again and again, as in, "Try Tranquilax! It stimulates! It sedates! It's a laxative!" And when the priest turns down a donation because the givers aren't true Christians...well, this is fiction, after all.
At moments Heavens Above feels like the logical precursor to Monty Python, in many ways. A higher compliment would be hard to find.
Beautifully shot with lots of natural light as well.
This film has aged perfectly; its only fault is a rather weak ending.
I'm glad there are so many truly intelligent old movies like this out there; they sure ain't making many these daze!
Very worth watching.