Scotland At The Movies

20 March 2009, 15:57

Charles Gormley was an important figure in the development of the film industry in Scotland during the 1970s and 1980s. He graduated from short documentaries and information films to the 1986 comedy feature film Heavenly Pursuits, which he wrote and directed.  Set in a Roman Catholic school in Glasgow, it starred Tom Conti, Helen Mirren and a very young Ewen Bremner, and dealt with faith and miracles.

What’s it all about?

Vic Mathews teaches a remedial class at the Blessed Edith Semple School in Glasgow.

Some at the school are trying to discover the two more miracles that would promote the late Edith Semple to sainthood. Mathews, a non-believer, instead wishes the school would concentrate on teaching the children.

He becomes markedly more confused, however, when he is involved in possibly miraculous events himself...

Cast

Tom Conti - Vic Mathews
Helen Mirren - Ruth Chancellor
David Hayman - Jeff Jeffries
Brian Pettifer - Father Cobb
Jennifer Black - Sister
Dave Anderson - Headmaster
Moica Brady - Radiologist
Ewen Bremner - Stevie Deans

Trivia

Filmmakers dubbed the film later for the international version, using actors whose accents weren't as thick as those Scots playing the students.

When's it on?

Heavenly Pursuits is on STV on April 19.

Last updated: 05 June 2009, 16:34