Heavens Above! (1963)

76% of users liked it
(436 ratings)

Considered a bit too sacrilegious for general consumption in 1963, the Boulting brothers' Heavens Above was simply ahead of its time, and has since accrued a loyal and vocal following. Peter Sellers plays an idealistic British reverend with a bad habit of telling the truth at all times. He also… More Considered a bit too sacrilegious for general consumption in 1963, the Boulting brothers' Heavens Above was simply ahead of its time, and has since accrued a loyal and vocal following. Peter Sellers plays an idealistic British reverend with a bad habit of telling the truth at all times. He also follows his conscience whenever possible, resulting in several cleric decisions that shock his wealthy, landed-gentry parishioners. By inviting such "undesirables" as gypsies and West Africans to worship freely in his church, Sellers rouses the ire of the rest of his white-bread flock. He does, however, compel the selfish owner (Isabel Jeans) of a laxative firm to "see the light" and to sell off all her holdings on behalf of the poor and downtrodden. Unfortunately, by doing this the woman wrecks her business--which is the principal source of income for the community where Sellers works. Retreating from town with an angry mob on his heels, Sellers relocates on a tiny island in the Pacific. Since the island is the site of a missile base, and since the local astronauts have shown signs of agnosticism, where else is there for Sellers to go...but up? Heavens Above was inspired by a notion cooked up by iconoclastic British satirist Malcolm Muggeridge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: John Boulting, Roy Boulting
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 20, 1963 Wide
On DVD: Mar 25, 2003

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Heavens Above! is a fine example of early Peter Sellers post Goons. It's very funny and its cynicism has quite a contemporary quality about it and you can see why it is said that it is ahead of its time. Unfortunately it gets rather silly towards the end and the unfortunate… More
Heavens Above! is a fine example of early Peter Sellers post Goons. It's very funny and its cynicism has quite a contemporary quality about it and you can see why it is said that it is ahead of its time. Unfortunately it gets rather silly towards the end and the unfortunate spells of racism very much dates the rest of the film.
Stella D

classic charming british satirical comedy with peter sellers as a young vicar trying to bring christian charity to an uptight parish. it makes me smile :)
Eric B

Unjustly obscure, "Heavens Above!" is among Peter Sellers' essential movies. But beware, fans of droll British satire: You'll have to forgive an absurd ending which taints the entire film. Sellers plays Rev. John Smallwood, a guileless prison chaplain who, by… More
Unjustly obscure, "Heavens Above!" is among Peter Sellers' essential movies. But beware, fans of droll British satire: You'll have to forgive an absurd ending which taints the entire film. Sellers plays Rev. John Smallwood, a guileless prison chaplain who, by mistake, is summoned to the small community of Orbiston Parva. The town's revenue depends on a factory that produces Tranquilax, a dubious remedy that is a sedative, stimulant and laxative all at once. A perverse comparison is drawn between this "three in one" panacea and the Holy Trinity. It's unclear whether Smallwood is a righteous thinker or just a simpleton who lucked into a virtuous path (shades of "Being There"'s Chance Gardener). But his gentle admonitions shock a hypocritical population accustomed to lazy, unearned feelings of godliness. Most residents are furious and call for his dismissal, but he does reach the matriarch of the town's wealthy, dominant family. Fearing damnation, she begins an extravagant charity program that frustrates shopkeepers and quickly unbalances the local economy. Meanwhile, passing comments from Smallwood's sermons hurt Tranquilax's credibility and cut into its profits. Can Orbiston Parva survive this disastrous dose of spirituality? "Heavens Above!" takes shots at quite a few targets, from religion to capitalism to class divisions. It's a notably bleak portrait of humanity -- even the poor people are corrupt and ungrateful. There are some nice supporting performances, particularly Brock Peters' turn as a good-hearted garbageman, but Sellers carries the film with a brilliantly understated characterization. Beyond one pratfall into an open grave, he scarcely does anything "funny" in the film and yet "Heavens Above!" is indeed a comedy. It's just too bad that a farcical conclusion wholly violates the film's established, low-key tone.

Cast

            Peter Sellers as The Rev. John Smallwood

            Cecil Parker as Archdeacon Aspinall

            Bernard Miles as Simpson

            Eric Sykes as Harry Smith

            Irene Handl as Rene Smith

            Miriam Karlin as Winnie Smith

            Brock Peters as Matthew

            Isabel Jeans as Lady Despard

            Ian Carmichael as The Other Smallwood

            Joan Miller as Mrs. Smith-Gould

            Roy Kinnear as Fred Smith

            Kenneth Griffith as Rev. Owen Smith

            Miles Malleson as Rockerby

            William Hartnell as Maj. Fowler

            Joan Hickson as Garrulous Housewife

            Harry Locke as Shop Steward

            Nicholas Phipps as Director General

            Thorley Walters as Tranquilax Executive

            George Woodbridge as Bishop

            Basil Dignam as Prisoner Governor

            Colin Gordon as Prime Minister

            Joan Heal as Disgruntled Housewife

            Conrad Phillips as P.R.O.

            Cardew Robinson as Tramp

            Billy Milton as Fellowes

            Howard Pays as Astronaut

            Eric Barker as Bank Manager

            John Comer as Butcher

            Mark Eden as Sir Geoffrey Despard

            John Harvey
            
            Drewe Henley as Doris' Boy Friend

            Geoffrey Hibbert as Council Official

            Marjorie Lawrence
            
            Malcolm Muggeridge as Cleric

            Olive Sloane as Quarreling Housewife

            Marianne Stone as Miss Palmer

            Elsie Wagstaffe as Lady on Parish Church Council

            Ian Wilson as Salvation Army Major

            Henry Longhurst as Deaf Gentleman

            Tim Brinton as TV Commentator

            Mutz Greenbaum
            
See full cast