Director: Frank Borzage
Distributor: Fox Film Corporation
Top Billed Actors: Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Ben Bard
Won 3 Oscars:
Best Directing (Dramatic Picture) - Frank Borzage
Best Actress - Janet Gaynor
Best Writing (Adaptation) - Benjamin Glazer
Nominated for 2 more:
Oustanding Picture - Fox
Best Art Direction - Harry Oliver
Plot: A sewer worker saves a prostitute from her sister's whip and they climb stairs.
Distributor: Fox Film Corporation
Top Billed Actors: Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Ben Bard
Won 3 Oscars:
Best Directing (Dramatic Picture) - Frank Borzage
Best Actress - Janet Gaynor
Best Writing (Adaptation) - Benjamin Glazer
Nominated for 2 more:
Oustanding Picture - Fox
Best Art Direction - Harry Oliver
Plot: A sewer worker saves a prostitute from her sister's whip and they climb stairs.
The first released Best Picture nominee, 7th Heaven (1927) is certainly sappy by today's standards, but has a charm and atmosphere that should not be missed. The exceptional acting by Janet Gaynor, the first ever Best Actress winner, steals the show. In a span of just less than two hours, we see her portray a hopeless, dirty prostitute that finds herself on the receiving end of her angry sister's rage and transform into a brave, optimistic housewife loyal to the man who saved her from the streets. We see a vast range of emotions, from the ultimate low of attempted suicide to the surprisingly suspenseful wedding scene. All the more impressive as a twenty year old in a silent film. The evolution of Charles Farrell's and Gaynor's romance can be a tad mushy at times, but Farrell's flamboyant character never lets it get too lovey-dovey, and the viewer soon roots for the couple.
7th Heaven gets its name from an apartment on the seventh floor in Paris, in which Farrell and Gaynor spend a great portion of the film. At various points throughout the movie, the camera pans up the stairs. When Farrell first leads Gaynor to his apartment, we see the couple travel up all seven flights of stairs, with the shot traveling up along through the floor with them. This direction by Frank Borzage, along with exceptional battle scenes and a few incredible shots of Gaynor walking in the streets towards the beginning of the film, is certainly why he became the first directing Oscar winner.
One thing I do not like is the religious angle of the movie. It is expected in a film with the word "heaven" in its title, but it felt preachy at times. It does not hinder the plot, as it only occurs on a few title cards, but I dislike it all the same. Another aspect I did not enjoy was the pacing of the film. Some scenes seem to go on a bit long, which makes sense as this was originally a Broadway play. The battle sequences and some comic relief alleviate some of this lag, but be prepared for some lengthy scenes.
Overall, I am not a huge fan of romance dramas. But when the right ingredients such as excellent acting and innovative directing are in place, I can't help but fall for a story like this.
My Score: 8/10
7th Heaven gets its name from an apartment on the seventh floor in Paris, in which Farrell and Gaynor spend a great portion of the film. At various points throughout the movie, the camera pans up the stairs. When Farrell first leads Gaynor to his apartment, we see the couple travel up all seven flights of stairs, with the shot traveling up along through the floor with them. This direction by Frank Borzage, along with exceptional battle scenes and a few incredible shots of Gaynor walking in the streets towards the beginning of the film, is certainly why he became the first directing Oscar winner.
One thing I do not like is the religious angle of the movie. It is expected in a film with the word "heaven" in its title, but it felt preachy at times. It does not hinder the plot, as it only occurs on a few title cards, but I dislike it all the same. Another aspect I did not enjoy was the pacing of the film. Some scenes seem to go on a bit long, which makes sense as this was originally a Broadway play. The battle sequences and some comic relief alleviate some of this lag, but be prepared for some lengthy scenes.
Overall, I am not a huge fan of romance dramas. But when the right ingredients such as excellent acting and innovative directing are in place, I can't help but fall for a story like this.
My Score: 8/10