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Baptista (C.O.) FilmsDoor to Heaven, The (1941)

Visionary representation of the actual door to heaven, explaining how it is necessary to take Jesus as one's savior in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Baptista (C.O.) Films
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Religion; Christianity; Motion pictures: Religious

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: pheret - - January 26, 2008
Subject: the door to heave
when god closes a door
he always opens a window!

:D

Reviewer: mr_loophead - - August 7, 2007
Subject: barf.
The difference between the door to happiness and the door to heaven is that happiness can be achieved by MANY means, not just religious. The fact that there is no heaven (can it be proved other than by faith?) is a great analogy for Christians to base their belief in finding that true happiness after you die.

What's funny is that there are many religions that have people so scared of death that they have to create this 'eternal life' area after your body has died. They mask their fear of dying by proposing that you aren't really dying, you're going to see grandma (and what one other user commented, even BOB DYLAN) in heaven..and everyone will be gay. WHOOPS - I mean happy. Gay people will be in hell because that's what the bible says.

Religion is so funny!!!!

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - September 10, 2005
Subject: Hey, Bob Dylan Knocked and He Got In...
This 40s religious film takes abstract spiritual concepts and makes them concrete through a host of visual aids. Salvation is portrayed as a literal Door to Heaven. Mistaken routes to heaven, such as Good Works, Church Attendance, and (my favorite) Self-Righteousness are also portrayed as doors marked with the proper signs to identify them. Qualities that must be let go of on entrance to heaven are portrayed as actual objects, my favorite being a huge brown-wrapped package labeled SIN (wonder whata in it?). Although amusingly simplistic, this film is utterly charming in its sincerity and kooky-looking props, so Im not going to be too hard on it. Its religious message is reasonably sound for the believers and would-be believers it was made for, so why not let the prop department have a little fun?
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: *****. Weirdness: *****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: *****.

Reviewer: vb4christ - - May 30, 2005
Subject: Door of Heaven
As a Christian, I found this video to be refreshingly unpretentious and scriptural. It brings the audience back to a time of sweet innocence which most "Christian" videos have lost.

Reviewer: Marysz - - April 22, 2004
Subject: Knocking on the Jesus Door
A great piece of motion picture folk art that literalizes Jesus saying, ÃÂI am the Door . . .ÃÂ The Door to Heaven in the film is represented by a white door in a wall painted with blue stars. Various people enter the Door to Heaven, but others canÃÂt get in because theyÃÂre carrying Sin (a big box), a Heart filled with Unbelief (made out of cardboard, but if youÃÂre willing to cross out the ÃÂUn,ÃÂ you can go on in), and Riches (cloth bags with a dollar sign on them). There are few women in this film; I bet it was shown in Christian flophouses on skid row, where down-and-out men would be preached to in exchange for a hot meal and a bed for the night. It could also have been shown in prisons. The film ends and the screen goes black as a choir of men sings ÃÂThink of the House Over There.ÃÂ Probably the group watching the film had to stand up and sing along with the voices on the film. The filmÃÂs simplicity and sincerity underscore its minimal messageÃÂthat Jesus forgives all and that the Door to Heaven is always open to those ready to receive him. The preacherÃÂs voice on the soundtrack gives us a good idea of what evangelists of the time sounded like.

Reviewer: DrAwkward - - March 7, 2004
Subject: Are You on the Guest List?
If you've never seen a metaphor wrung by the neck until dead for the purpose of saving sinners, here's your big chance. And though you may groan at the overextension of the door symbol, there's something quaint about the calmly intoned logic by which the film makes its point. It sure beats the axis of guilt, fear and shame through which many highly visible proselytizers seek converts these days.

Reviewer: ridetheory - - July 29, 2003
Subject: Religion for Dummies
Man, what a funny short -- and apparently, judging from the other reviews, a film that is just as enjoyable to the scoffers as to believers. I count myself in the former camp, so the boring Sunday-school tone of the film made me giggle all the way through. Don't forget to say goodbye to the unsaved before you go in, because you'll be forgetting them (and everything that makes you who you are) moments later.

Reviewer: Healthusa - - July 26, 2003
Subject: Fantastic Short Film - Honest and Simple
This is a fantastic short film that has a great message. As simple as one may find it, it has an ever-lasting content which is simple, yet effective.
The content is non-threatening and is honest. I give it 5 stars.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - April 24, 2003
Subject: Ridiculous.
OK, I won't let views of personal religion get into the way of this review (it'll be hard). But, I found this film quite ridiculous in it's attempt to show non-believers how difficult.. or how easy it is to get into "the door of heaven". Although hokey, I must admit of getting a kick of seeing a religious film from 1941. The acting is very broad, and the OBVIOUS dumbing down to make EVERYONE understand (eg, people with boxes with SIN written on them) is too funny. I enjoyed this piece.. but for all the wrong reasons. Highly reccomended!

Reviewer: Ju-Jo - - March 9, 2003
Subject: I want more of this collection, please...
I love this film. It is clear, precise and biblical. I don't speak english fluently, (I'm a spanish speaking person), but I can understand the message very well.

Shotlist

Urges people to take Jesus as their savior and through that be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. Waxes darkly about the wrath of God that befalls those who choose not to enter.
Frequently surrealistic in its representation of the actual door to heaven.
Stock shots:
doors, choir; use of old Dictaphone; man reading in library; studying; hands on piano keyboard
signs: Good Works; Good Character; Church Membership; Self-Righteousness; sorrow; suffering; disappointment; anxiety;
silver and gold coins; gems and pearls; burglar or thief enters house; rain; umbrella; man carrying many packages; handshake;
People walk through the "door to heaven" which has the words "Whosoever will any come" inscribed over it and is decorated with many stars.
Door with "Door to Heaven' inscribed over it. Bible verses;
surrealism;


Danger Lurks