Warren Beatty’s 1978 Oscar-nominated classic film, Heaven Can Wait, makes its arrival on Blu-ray for the first time sans bonus features.
The new set has been restored and remastered from the original negative under Beatty’s supervision. Unfortunately, there’s no bonus content at all but the film comes with a digital copy.
Behind the camera, there’s a wealth of comedic talent. Warren Beatty is joined by Buck Henry as a co-director and Elaine May as a co-writer. You really couldn’t ask for much more in terms of talent. The film’s nine Oscar nominations included:
- Picture
- Directing
- Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium
- Actor in a Leading Role
- Actor in a Supporting Role
- Actress in a Supporting Role
- Art Direction
- Cinematography
- Score
It’s no surprise that this film earned this many nominations. It’s the second adaptation of the 1938 play of the same name with the first being the Oscar-winning Here Comes Mr. Jordan in 1941. A third adaptation, starring Chris Rock, was released in 2001 as Down to Earth.
Synopsis
Joe Pendleton (Beatty) is a Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback ready to lead the team all the way to the Super Bowl, but the afterlife has other plans. It seems an overzealous guardian angel has prematurely plucked Joe from the living. When he’s returned to Earth in the body of millionaire industrialist Leo Farnsworth, he inherits a world of challenges, including winning the love of a woman (Christie) who already hated “him.”
DIRECTORS: Warren Beatty and Buck Henry
SCREENWRITERS: Elaine May and Warren Beatty
CAST: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia, and Jack Warden
Paramount released Heaven Can Wait in theaters on June 28, 1978.
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