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Amazon.co.uk Review
British cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s turned out a series of gently satirical films which mocked established institutions, and Heavens Above is the member of that 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 where squadrons of lovely 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
Amazon.co.uk Review
I'm All Right Jack After a decade on radio in The Goons, 1959's I'm All Right Jack set Peter Sellers on the road to international stardom. Sellers played both Sir John Kennaway and, unforgettably, the Bolshy trade union leader Fred Kite (he would go on to take three roles in Dr Strangelove and featured endless disguises in The Pink Panther in 1963) series. The result is laugh-out-loud comedy with a satiric edge, lampooning the then burning issue of industrial relations. Bertram Tracepurcel's (Dennis Price) plans to make a fortune from a missile contract, a scheme which involves manipulating his innocent nephew Stanley Windrush (Ian Carmichael) into acting as the catalyst in an escalating labour dispute, from which the socialist Mr Kite is only too keen to make capital. Management and labour both have their self-serving hypocrisy dissected in this ingenious comedy, actually a sequel to the military comedy Private's Progress (1956), but which stands independent of the earlier film. Both films were made by the brothers John and Roy Boulting, director and producer of such British classics as Brighton Rock (1947), Seven Days to Noon (1950), Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959) and Heaven's Above (1963). The superb cast of I'm All Right Jack also features Richard Attenborough, John Le Mesurier, Margaret Rutherford and Terry Thomas. --Gary S. Dalkin
Heavens Above British cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s turned out a series of gently satirical films which mocked established institutions, and Heavens Above is the member of that 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 where 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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Im so glad this film has had a dvd release in the UK, seems as though we've waited ages for it. This has to be one of Peter Sellers finest, most unappreciated films, largely ignored on its initial release but getting a strong following as the years went by. Unlike some of his later characterisations he underplays this one beautifully and its a very believable character, a lowly vicar trying hard to practice what he preachs but sadly causing chaos around him. The supporting cast are also brilliant with a turn from Eric Sykes as the head of a LARGE family who come to live with the vicar and end up robbing him blind, one of the best roles Sykes has had and his wife played by Irene Handle is also a joy to watch.
If you want to see Peter Sellers at his best, for once able to keep his manic personality OFF the screen then view this film, a lovely piece of cinema.
If you want to see Peter Sellers at his best, for once able to keep his manic personality OFF the screen then view this film, a lovely piece of cinema.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of two important Sellers films in which Sellers gets upstaged by Kenneth Griffith. Griffith only lasts a minute or two but his fiery Welsh vicar is well worth having, and he's a British great too. In this case Sellers creates one of his best character performances and I like this character particularly. He joins up with Ian Carmichael again. On my TV the widescreen masking at the bottom on the right flickers irritatingly, which I've not had before. Otherwise a fine print of a great Sellers film.
PS - I've since changed my TV and don't get that problem any more.
PS - I've since changed my TV and don't get that problem any more.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
My favourite film and, possibly, the best British comedy film, ever made. A true classic gem. If you like Ealing type films, and enjoy lots of laughter, this film is a must. I can't rate it high enough.
A great story, featuring, an incredibly stunning performance by, peter sellers, and probably his best ever. The film also, stars, other great, performances from the likes of,ie Eric Sykes, Miran Carling, Irene Handel, Cecil parker, Miles matheson,and, many others.
It's the story of, a vicar (peter sellers), a genteel natured lolly clergyman, with a soft Liverpudlians accent, who, is mistakenly, sent to serve in a parish. Sellers zealous religious beliefs and the principals he acts upon from the scriptures, soon gets him in trouble with the Bishop and his elders, when, he takes in a travelling family,played superbly by Eric sykes as the shifty father, Miran Carling, and, the lovable Irene Handel, and their hoard of children, to live in the rectory.
sellers also preaches the joy of giving and, convinces a, very rich lady, to give free food to the people with her money, that leaves the local shops, angry, and the people greedy.leading to sellers, being shunned by everyone, and problematic for the church. You can't help feeling sad for the well meaning character.
Apparantly, in Documentry's about sellers,people working on the film state, even off camera, peter continued to stay in his character role, even while playing cricket during breaks from filming.
This film is a true classic that, will have you in stiches, and at times, quite emotional too. It really dosen't get better than this. it's surley sellers greatest performance, and shows the great comedy actors veratility, and genius.
A cosy delightful film to put your feet up and languish in film comedy heaven. Enjoy.
A great story, featuring, an incredibly stunning performance by, peter sellers, and probably his best ever. The film also, stars, other great, performances from the likes of,ie Eric Sykes, Miran Carling, Irene Handel, Cecil parker, Miles matheson,and, many others.
It's the story of, a vicar (peter sellers), a genteel natured lolly clergyman, with a soft Liverpudlians accent, who, is mistakenly, sent to serve in a parish. Sellers zealous religious beliefs and the principals he acts upon from the scriptures, soon gets him in trouble with the Bishop and his elders, when, he takes in a travelling family,played superbly by Eric sykes as the shifty father, Miran Carling, and, the lovable Irene Handel, and their hoard of children, to live in the rectory.
sellers also preaches the joy of giving and, convinces a, very rich lady, to give free food to the people with her money, that leaves the local shops, angry, and the people greedy.leading to sellers, being shunned by everyone, and problematic for the church. You can't help feeling sad for the well meaning character.
Apparantly, in Documentry's about sellers,people working on the film state, even off camera, peter continued to stay in his character role, even while playing cricket during breaks from filming.
This film is a true classic that, will have you in stiches, and at times, quite emotional too. It really dosen't get better than this. it's surley sellers greatest performance, and shows the great comedy actors veratility, and genius.
A cosy delightful film to put your feet up and languish in film comedy heaven. Enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Witty, clever, ironic
When the vicar of Orbiston Parva dies, the Church has to find a replacement. However, they are mindful of the fact that this town has certain "peculiarities" and requires a... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Filmbuff
Worth a Butcher's Any Day
"Heavens Above!" (1963). This small, witty, 1960s black and white classic British comedy stars Peter Sellers as the Reverend John Smallwood, who had been an unconventional prison... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Stephanie DePue
Heavens Above
A number of films have been made over the years that feed upon mankind's weaknesses and hypocrisies. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Wilberfalse
Great sunday afternoon movie
A real showpiece for the mighty Sellers, such a great actor in a beautiful film. Excellent casting too, with Irene Handl and Eric Sykes as a freeloading couple (ring any bells of... Read more
Published 17 months ago by givethedjabj
A joy to watch but a serious comedy
I am so glad this old film as come out on DVD. It is a joy to watch again and there are so many brilliant performances in it.
Other reviewers have outlined the plot. Read more
Other reviewers have outlined the plot. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by Mungo
poor Peter Sellers
A truly dreadful film. Inane, uninvolving, a waste of some usually great actors and a poor representation of Peter Sellers gifts.
Published on 9 July 2009 by Daisy W
Satire at its best
A very well conceived idea and a fine, complex social satire, HA makes a lot of valid points about why the church no longer has a place in (British) politics and gives us a comedic... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2009 by Lou Knee
Heavens Above
A much gentler Peter Sellars but still a good film. Irene Handl very good as always. Not quite the appeal as other Sellars movies but worth watching
Published on 21 Mar 2009 by Pat C
Geat
Heavens Above! Has Peter Sellers at his best as a rather 'posh' Vicar. Full of laughs and proper acting.
Published on 18 Oct 2007 by "Smith" Reader
pure genius
peter sellers displays his acting skills to full effect in this biting satire of religion over the modern consumer driven world, sellers plays the role of reverend smallwood with... Read more
Published on 14 July 2007 by john cameron
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