Heavens Above!

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Heavens Above!

1963

1h 45m

Comedy

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4 Reviews

71%

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250+ Ratings

In a case of mistaken identity, John Smallwood (Peter Sellers), an idealistic British reverend with socialist beliefs, is appointed to a village parish populated by elitist landed gentry. There his conscience and acts of charity quickly become unpopular with the parishioners, who reveal a selfish and un-Christian disdain for those less fortunate who the reverend welcomes to the parish. Things really go awry, however, when Smallwood's actions endanger the village's primary source of income.

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Heavens Above! attacks the hypocrisy of conservative Christian posers, but it doesn’t exactly go easy on true believers.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 27, 2025

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Dwight MacDonald

Esquire Magazine

By now [Peter Sellers] has spread his talent so thin in so many films that he seems unable to keep his characterizations separate. Furthermore, the satire is heavy-handed and illogical.

Aug 12, 2019

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MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Way off target as a satire, the Boultings' latest effort is remarkable chiefly for the amount of schoolboy smut it manages to incorporate, and for the nastiness of its view of people.

Feb 1, 2018

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Dec 18, 2004

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isla s

There were some amusing moments in this film, which is very much a social commentary type send up of stuffy church staff and English parishioners. There are some relatively funny situations, some mix ups and quirky goings-on. However, it was a bit bland. Its a fairly amusing watch but with too many stuffy scenes in between and so it wasn't one of the best films of its time that I've seen but I wouldn't say its a bad film in general, no. Also, the ending was surprisingly zany, I'll give it that! The ending also explains the title but I won't elaborate so as not to provide any spoilers. This is worth a watch if your a fan of Peter Sellers or if it sounds particularly interesting but I certainly wouldn't bother making a point of getting it, as such.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A near perfect take on liberalism in the church, and how that doesn't fit well with those that actually run the church who fear its consequences.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Peter Sellers once again knocks it out of the park with bringing to life a super nice cheerful priest who just wishes to do God's work and the film looks at the realistic fallout of such deeds

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Overlong, cynical British comedy has a low-key Peter Sellers performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

"Heavens Above!" is the story of Jesus Christ II in the form of John Smallwood (Peter Sellers). The film is filled with symbolisms and is a little too self-serious, but offers some laughs, good acting (Sellers, Cecil Parker, Bernard Miles) and the classic gag of Sellers accidentally tripping into a grave. Overall, it's an enjoyable if not particularly special little film that would probably have been better if it had left the preaching aside.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

Social satire with a rather somber message. There's a lot to think about in this film. Sellers is fabulous.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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John Boulting

Director

Roy Boulting

Director

Peter Sellers

The Rev. John Smallwood

Cecil Parker

Archdeacon Aspinall

Isabel Jeans

Lady Despard

Eric Sykes

Harry Smith

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Synopsis

In a case of mistaken identity, John Smallwood (Peter Sellers), an idealistic British reverend with socialist beliefs, is appointed to a village parish populated by elitist landed gentry. There his conscience and acts of charity quickly become unpopular with the parishioners, who reveal a selfish and un-Christian disdain for those less fortunate who the reverend welcomes to the parish. Things really go awry, however, when Smallwood's actions endanger the village's primary source of income.

Director: John Boulting, Roy Boulting
Producer: John Boulting, Roy Boulting
Screenwriter: John Boulting, Frank Harvey
Production Co: Charter Film Productions
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 45m