Following the release earlier this month of I’m All Right Jack, Kino Lorber continues their exploration of mid-career Peter Sellers works directed by John Boulting with this largely unknown film. Sellers stars as a kind-hearted prison chaplain mistakenly assigned to a wealthy parish, bringing his virtuous values to a congregation far astray from his ideals. Although the plot hinges on a typically comedic case of mistaken identity, the big surprise here is that Sellers plays it straight, delivering a charmingly earnest character study of an honest, humble man.
Buy Heavens Above! Blu-rayIn a strange twist of fate, the British chaplain ranks contain two reverends with the same name, so when an unsuspecting clerk accidentally pulls the wrong contact card from a filing cabinet, Sellers’ Reverend John Smallwood is assigned to a conservative parish that frowns upon progressive ideas. Since nobody he comes into contact with knows what the correct Smallwood looks like, he easily slides into his duties at his new parish, setting off a chain reaction of progressive ideology that eventually reaches all the way to the highest echelon of the Church of England.
Boulting clearly has something to say about the rampant hypocrisy present in all levels of religion, and this vehicle gives him a mouthpiece that he puts to great use to skewer the business of religion. Smallwood is an ideal reverend, dedicated to ministering to the poor, turning a blind eye to any class or racial status, and always keeping principles above financial concerns. His parishioners are a different story, with the wealthiest contributors expecting continued special treatment, abhorring Smallwood’s welcoming of the poor and non-white into his residence, decrying his establishment of a perpetual free food market, and vehemently complaining up the religious chain until the Church is forced to investigate and discovers their assignment error. Backed into a corner, the Church is forced to decide if the ideal candidate can stay in place or get kicked out at the whim of devious, unprincipled parishioners.
The Blu-ray presents the black-and-white film in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. No restoration information is provided, but the transfer appears relatively clean and contrast is crisp and precise. The mono soundtrack is delivered in DTS. The sole bonus feature is an audio commentary by a pair of comedy historians.
While Sellers fans may be expecting a different experience than the one produced, searching for any knowing winks or devilish improv from the star, the film works specifically because he stays completely in character. In the process, he delivers a heart-warming dramatic turn that stands firmly alongside his best comedic performances.
