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"Heavens Above!" is a 1963 British satirical [comedy](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-comedy-genre) film [directed](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-director-film) and produced by John and Roy Boulting, and starring [Peter Sellers](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-peter-sellers-actor). The film is about a naive but caring [prison](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-prison) chaplain, John Smallwood (Sellers), who is accidentally assigned as vicar to the small and prosperous English country town of Orbiston Parva. The [film](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-movie-film) is a satire that ridicules organized [religion](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-religion) for its complacence and its unrealistic aspirations and humanism especially the working-class kind. The [screenplay](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-screenplay) of the film was based on an idea by Malcolm Muggeridge, who was formerly an editor of Punch, and who has a [cameo](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-cameo-appearance-) [role](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-role) as a cleric. The film received mixed reviews, but it is considered a food for thought in our secular times. 

## Plot 
"Heavens Above!" is a satirical comedy film that tells the story of a well-meaning but naive prison chaplain, John Smallwood (played by Sellers), who is mistakenly appointed as the new vicar of a wealthy English village called Orbiston Parva. Smallwood's unconventional approach to his new role, which includes giving away the church's [wealth](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-wealth) to the poor and inviting a group of homeless people to live in the vicarage, causes consternation among the village's upper-class residents. Despite their initial resistance, however, Smallwood's sincerity and compassion eventually win over many of the villagers, including the local [doctor](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-doctor-medial) and his [wife](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-wife). The film is a biting satire of organized religion, social class, and the British establishment, and features a memorable performance by Sellers in one of his most iconic roles.

## Trailer

<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oe_yERjgFZw?si=DRjPzIKAnXZvXMZ8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>

## Cast 
- [Peter Sellers](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-peter-sellers-actor) as The Reverend John Smallwood
- Cecil Parker as Archdeacon Aspinall
- Isabel Jeans as Lady Despard
- Ian Carmichael as Richard Paterson
- Bernard Miles as Thomas Crapper
- Brock Peters as Matthew Robinson
- Eric Sykes as Harry Smith
- Irene Handl as Mrs. Smith
- Miriam Karlin as Mrs. Panting
- Joan Miller as Mrs. Paterson
- William Hartnell as Percy
- Miles Malleson as Bishop
- Malcolm Muggeridge as Malcolm
- John Le Mesurier as Sir George
- Kenneth Griffith as Mr. Foreman
- Kenneth Connor as Fred Smith
- Roy Kinnear as Harry Smith Jr.


Director: John Boulting, Roy Boulting

Writer: John Boulting, Frank Harvey

Genre: Comedy

Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2011

Here are the answers to the different subheadings related to "Heavens Above!":

## Theme
"Heavens Above!" is a satirical comedy film that ridicules organized religion, social class, and the [British](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-british) establishment. The film's central theme is the clash between the values of the working-class prison chaplain, John Smallwood, and the wealthy and complacent residents of the English village of Orbiston Parva. Smallwood's unconventional approach to his role as the village's new vicar challenges the status quo and exposes the hypocrisy and self-interest of those in power.

## Reception
The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its biting satire and Peter Sellers' performance, while others found it heavy-handed and preachy. However, "Heavens Above!" has since gained a [cult](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-cult-classic-film) following and is considered a classic of British comedy.


## Settings, Visual Styles, and Techniques
The film is set in the fictional English village of Orbiston Parva, which is portrayed as a picturesque and affluent community. The visual style of the film is naturalistic, with a focus on the interactions between the [characters](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-character-film) and the village's surroundings. The film uses a variety of techniques, including satire, irony, and slapstick humor, to convey its message.

## Trivia & Fun Facts
- "Heavens Above!" was based on an idea by Malcolm Muggeridge, a former editor of Punch [magazine](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-magazine) who also appears in the film in a cameo role.
- The film features a memorable performance by Peter Sellers, who was at the height of his comedic powers at the time of its release.
- "Heavens Above!" was the last film to be directed by the Boulting [brothers](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-brother), who were known for their satirical comedies.
- The film's title is a reference to a phrase used in the [Bible](https://inleo.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-bible) to express surprise or amazement.
- The film was shot on location in the English counties of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.







#### General:


* [What Is Leo](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-what-is-leofinance)

* [What Is Hive](https://leofinance.io/posts/@leoglossary/leoglossary-what-is-hive)

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LeoGlossary: Heavens Above (1963 Film)