The Gospel According to Vic (1986)
"Heavenly Pursuits" (original title)

Vic Mathews teaches a remedial class at the Blessed Edith Semple School in Scotland. Some at the school are trying to discover the two more miracles that would promote the late Edith Semple... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Gormley

Writer:

Charles Gormley

Stars:

Tom Conti, Helen Mirren, David Hayman

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Tom Conti	...	Vic Mathews
Helen Mirren	...	Ruth Chancellor
David Hayman	...	Jeff Jeffries
Brian Pettifer	...	Father Cobb
Jennifer Black	...	Sister
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dave Anderson	...	Headmaster
Moica Brady	...	Radiologist
Ewen Bremner	...	Stevie Deans
Tom Busby	...	Brusse
Juliet Cadzow	...	Woman Teacher
Doreen Cameron	...	Nurse
Robert W. Carr	...	Night Editor
Fiona Chalmers	...	Child in Vic's Class
Margo Croan	...	Woman at Bus Stop
Jake D'Arcy	...	Wee Man in Bar

Storyline

Vic Mathews teaches a remedial class at the Blessed Edith Semple School in Scotland. 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, wishes the school would concentrate on teaching the children. He becomes confused, however, when he is involved in possibly miraculous events himself!

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Plot Keywords:

school | sainthood | miracle | scotland | satire | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

The Gospel According to Vic

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$267,249 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Island, National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Feature film debut of Ewen Bremner.

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Soundtracks

"Bossman"
(uncredited)
Written by Dave Anderson and David McLennan

User Reviews

Sweet and small-scale but worth a view

A sweet, small-scale movie, rarely shown and only available in a deleted full screen PAL VHS edition at present, this film was screened on Scottish TV on 19 April 2009 in widescreen. It's quite grainy and the sound isn't exactly DTS quality but the story's good and the performances are universally good. It's Conti's film and his acting is almost invisible - I hope that's a compliment - whilst Mirren is an excellent foil to him; their relationship is not uncomplicated and consequently very real. Glasgow is shown in its all its pre "...Miles Better" glory with tower blocks and grime to the fore with a 14 year old Ewen Bremner in a key role as underachiever Stevie Deans. A sad sign of our times is that the innocent and friendly physical contact between teacher and pupil seen in 1986 would no longer be tolerated in 2009. Has Blessed Edith Semple School been granted its longed-for miracles or is Vic simply a great teacher triumphing in difficult circumstances? You decide.