7th Heaven

Plot

In 1914 Paris, Chico, a cynical sewer worker who has lost his faith in God and humanity, saves Diane, a young woman forced into prostitution, from a police raid. He brings her to his seventh-floor attic apartment, which he calls his 'seventh heaven,' and offers her shelter. Despite his initial harshness, Chico begins to fall in love with Diane, and they decide to marry just as World War I breaks out and Chico is drafted into the army. The film follows their emotional separation during the war, with Diane working in a munitions factory and Chico fighting in the trenches, their letters sustaining their love. In a dramatic climax, Chico is presumed dead after an explosion, but miraculously returns home, blinded but alive, to reunite with Diane in their attic apartment, reaffirming their love and faith in each other.

Historical Background

'7th Heaven' was produced during a pivotal moment in cinema history, just as the industry was transitioning from silent films to sound. Released in 1927, the same year as 'The Jazz Singer,' it represents the pinnacle of silent romantic drama. The film's depiction of World War I resonated deeply with audiences who had experienced the recent conflict or lost loved ones during it. The story's exploration of faith and redemption reflected the spiritual questioning of the post-war period. The film's production at Fox Film Corporation coincided with the studio's expansion under William Fox, who was investing heavily in quality productions to compete with other major studios. The success of '7th Heaven' helped establish the romantic drama as a respected genre and demonstrated that silent films could achieve profound emotional depth without dialogue. The film's release also came during the Jazz Age, a period of changing social mores, which made its traditional moral message about redemption through love particularly appealing to audiences seeking stability in rapidly changing times.

Making Of

The production of '7th Heaven' was marked by careful attention to atmospheric detail and emotional authenticity. Director Frank Borzage worked closely with cinematographer Ernest Palmer to create a visual style that emphasized the spiritual and transcendent nature of the love story. The famous staircase scenes required innovative camera techniques, including the use of a specially constructed crane to follow the characters up and down the seven flights. Janet Gaynor prepared for her role by studying the mannerisms and hardships of Parisian street women of the era. Charles Farrell, who had been a professional football player before acting, underwent extensive training to convincingly portray the physically demanding role of a sewer worker. The film's emotional climax was achieved through careful pacing and the use of symbolic lighting, with the attic apartment bathed in heavenly light during key romantic moments. The war sequences were filmed using a combination of full-scale sets, miniatures, and innovative matte painting techniques to create realistic battle scenes on a studio budget.

Visual Style

The cinematography of '7th Heaven,' executed by Ernest Palmer, was revolutionary for its time and remains visually stunning today. Palmer employed innovative lighting techniques to create distinct visual atmospheres for different settings - the dark, gritty world of the Parisian sewers contrasted with the ethereal, heavenly light of the attic apartment. The film features groundbreaking use of chiaroscuro lighting to emphasize the spiritual journey of the characters. The famous staircase sequences were filmed using a specially designed camera rig that allowed for smooth vertical movement, creating a sense of ascent toward redemption. Palmer utilized soft focus techniques to enhance the romantic scenes, particularly in close-ups of Gaynor and Farrell, creating a dreamlike quality that emphasized their transcendent love. The war sequences employed multiple camera angles and rapid cutting to create visceral battle scenes that were unusually realistic for the time. The cinematography also made effective use of shadows and silhouettes, particularly in the street scenes of Paris, creating a visual poetry that enhanced the emotional narrative. Palmer's work on '7th Heaven' was nominated for an Academy Award and influenced the visual style of romantic films for decades to come.

Innovations

'7th Heaven' showcased several technical achievements that advanced the art of filmmaking in 1927. The film's most notable technical innovation was its use of the Schüfftan process for creating the illusion of the seven-story building, allowing actors to appear to be climbing great heights on a studio set. The war sequences featured groundbreaking special effects using miniature models and forced perspective to create realistic battle scenes. The film employed innovative matte painting techniques to extend the Parisian street sets, creating the illusion of a vast cityscape. The lighting design by Ernest Palmer introduced new techniques for creating spiritual atmosphere through the use of backlighting and diffusion filters. The film's editing, particularly in the war sequences, used rapid cutting techniques that were ahead of their time, creating a sense of chaos and urgency that enhanced the dramatic impact. The sound effects added in the 1928 re-release version were among the first synchronized sound effects in a major feature film, demonstrating the transition to sound technology. The set design by Harry Oliver created the iconic seven-story building that became a technical marvel of studio construction, featuring working elevators and detailed interior spaces that could be filmed from multiple angles. These technical achievements earned the film Academy Award nominations for both cinematography and art direction, recognizing its contributions to the technical art of cinema.

Music

As a silent film, '7th Heaven' was originally accompanied by a musical score performed live in theaters. The original score was composed by Ernö Rapée, Fox Film Corporation's music director, who created a lush orchestral composition that enhanced the film's emotional journey. The music featured leitmotifs for the main characters - a tender, romantic theme for Chico and Diane's love, and a more somber, spiritual theme for moments of redemption and faith. The score made innovative use of popular French songs of the period to establish the Parisian setting, including adaptations of works by composers like Debussy and Ravel. For the war sequences, Rapée composed dramatic, percussive music that heightened the tension and horror of battle scenes. The musical accompaniment varied by theater size and budget, with larger cinemas offering full orchestral performances while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. When the film was re-released in later years, new scores were created, including a version with synchronized sound effects added in 1928 as theaters transitioned to sound. Modern restorations of the film feature newly composed scores by contemporary silent film composers, most notably a 2005 version by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra that attempts to recreate the style and instrumentation of the original 1927 accompaniment.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Chico climbs the seven flights of stairs to his attic apartment, establishing the film's central metaphor of ascent toward heaven.
• The scene where Chico first brings Diane to his apartment, their initial hostility gradually melting into tenderness as he offers her protection.
• The wedding scene in the attic, with the makeshift altar and the symbolic lighting that transforms the humble space into a sacred place.
• The war sequences showing Chico in the trenches, intercut with Diane working in the munitions factory, their love sustaining them across the distance.
• The emotional climax where Chico returns home, blinded but alive, and Diane recognizes him through touch and love rather than sight.
• The final scene with the couple in their attic, the heavenly light streaming through the window as they embrace, having found their true seventh heaven on earth.

What Critics Said

Upon its release, '7th Heaven' received overwhelming critical acclaim. The New York Times praised it as 'a picture of rare beauty and emotional power,' while Variety called it 'one of the finest pictures ever produced.' Critics particularly praised Frank Borzage's direction for its sensitivity and visual poetry, and Janet Gaynor's performance for its emotional authenticity and subtlety. The film was celebrated for its ability to convey deep emotion without dialogue, with many critics noting how the visual storytelling enhanced rather than limited the romantic narrative. Modern critics continue to regard '7th Heaven' as a masterpiece of silent cinema. Film historian Kevin Brownlow described it as 'the ultimate expression of romantic transcendence in silent film.' The film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on contemporary and modern reviews. Critics today praise its innovative cinematography, particularly the use of lighting to create spiritual atmosphere, and its sophisticated treatment of themes like faith and redemption. The film is frequently cited in film studies as a prime example of how silent cinema could achieve emotional depth and artistic sophistication equal to or exceeding that of sound films.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 embraced '7th Heaven' with extraordinary enthusiasm, making it one of the biggest box office hits of the year. The film's emotional power and romantic idealism resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom attended multiple screenings. The chemistry between Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell created a sensation, with fan magazines of the era receiving thousands of letters from admirers. The film's success led to increased demand for romantic dramas and established the genre as a reliable box office draw. Contemporary audience reports described emotional reactions ranging from tears to standing ovations during screenings. The film's portrayal of enduring love through the hardship of war particularly moved viewers who had experienced World War I or had family members who served. The film's popularity extended beyond the United States, with successful runs in Europe and other international markets. Modern audiences who discover '7th Heaven' through revivals and home video continue to respond to its emotional power, with many noting how the silent format enhances rather than detracts from the romantic narrative. The film's ability to create intense emotional engagement through visual storytelling continues to captivate viewers nearly a century after its release.

You Might Also Like