There have been many theories of what comes during that transition from life to death, and in this first film version of the successful British play, it is an early variation of Albert Brooks' "Defending Your Life". Instead of one man comically defending his existence on that third rock from the sun, you get seven of them, all quite different, and all destined for immortalities that reflect the lives that they lead. There's the young couple in trouble who seem destined for a world in between life and death because of a double suicide, the young alcoholic afraid of facing his own immortality, the lonely char woman who gave up her child so he could have a better existence, a ruthless businessman who refuses to accept the fact that his earthly power can't be transfered further, and the snooty society matron who despises the idea of spending eternity with a husband she married for position and ultimately despised in spite of his undying love for her.
All of these people must face the judgment of the examiner, a raucous every man (played with great gusto by Dudley Digges), and to some, he will be their best friend, to others, their worst nightmare. He has no patience for fools, and that will not sit highly with the obnoxious Montagu Love or the uppity Allison Skipworth. Reverand Lyonel Watts is delighted to find that he's an old acquaintance, certain that past mistakes that got him ex-communicated will doom his soul, while young lovers Helen Chandler and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. fret over the examiner's refusal to talk to them. Cockney Beryl Mercer's destiny seems almost certain, her saint-like presence and love for a son she gave up clear in her desire to reach out to everybody around her. As for Leslie Howard, he is so insecure about past mistakes, he has no idea that all he has to do is want to repent in order to be saved.
Some biblical scholars may choke over the message of the film, but the script seems to utilize more theorizing from the life of Jesus Christ and his simple message of salvation than the more complex old testament. It basically tells you that all you need to do to make it past the examiner's judgment is to wish for your own salvation and it shall be granted. In the case of Love and Skipworth, their characters are not repentful at all, while the love of the two suicides is all it will take to redeem them. As fantasies go, it is sweetly written and filmed, and as supernatural films go, it is beautifully photographed with some images that may haunt you as you reflect on it after it is over.
All of these people must face the judgment of the examiner, a raucous every man (played with great gusto by Dudley Digges), and to some, he will be their best friend, to others, their worst nightmare. He has no patience for fools, and that will not sit highly with the obnoxious Montagu Love or the uppity Allison Skipworth. Reverand Lyonel Watts is delighted to find that he's an old acquaintance, certain that past mistakes that got him ex-communicated will doom his soul, while young lovers Helen Chandler and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. fret over the examiner's refusal to talk to them. Cockney Beryl Mercer's destiny seems almost certain, her saint-like presence and love for a son she gave up clear in her desire to reach out to everybody around her. As for Leslie Howard, he is so insecure about past mistakes, he has no idea that all he has to do is want to repent in order to be saved.
Some biblical scholars may choke over the message of the film, but the script seems to utilize more theorizing from the life of Jesus Christ and his simple message of salvation than the more complex old testament. It basically tells you that all you need to do to make it past the examiner's judgment is to wish for your own salvation and it shall be granted. In the case of Love and Skipworth, their characters are not repentful at all, while the love of the two suicides is all it will take to redeem them. As fantasies go, it is sweetly written and filmed, and as supernatural films go, it is beautifully photographed with some images that may haunt you as you reflect on it after it is over.