"Highway to Heaven" (1984) TV series 1984-1989

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Kevin Inch

Writers:

Ed Barnham (writer)
Christopher Beaumont (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

19 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Some powers are higher than others.

Plot:

A probationary angel sent back to earth teams with an ex-cop to help people.

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Redemption | Devil | Guardian Angel | Afterlife

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Michael Landon	...	Jonathan Smith (73 episodes, 1984-1989)
Victor French	...	Mark Gordon (50 episodes, 1984-1989)

Runtime:

60 min (111 episodes) | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

Michael Landon Productions

Trivia:

Victor French's final TV series.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: I Was a Teenage Werewolf (#9.9)" (1997)

Never Sanctimonious

One might expect that any show about an angel of god who walks the Earth trying to help people would be heavy-handed and depressing. Highway to Heaven is neither. It's an uplifting show that showcases all the best aspects of religion and niceness. Unlike "Touched by an Angel" and the televangelist shows, HtH deals with whether a person is good, not whether they subscribe to the right religion. There is room in the definition of "good" to include businessmen, politicians, and former criminals. I'm a hardcore atheist and I still love this show.

In addition, the element of God's power is never used as a club. Jonathan has "the stuff," but never uses it until words and persuasion have failed. It almost makes one feel that with a little effort, they might do some good themselves in the world. Throw in the grainy mid-80s picture and you've got a wonderful bit of escapism to a world where just a little good will can move mountains.