This is a low-key, laid back kind of movie. This might seem insufferably tame and sedate by many of today's young moviegoers, especially in light of manic "comedies" such as "Bruce Almighty" which had fun with religious-themed humor. But for those of us old enough to remember it- and to remember the sly wit of George Burns- it is a treat to revisit the movie in widescreen. The commentary track with Carl Reiner and Teri Garr is a winner, essentially as laid back as the movie itself but entirely satisfying. Speaking of Ms. Garr, she was quite a fox back in the day and looks great in this movie. God bless her as she struggles with MS.

It's been said before, but the ending of the movie gets a little gimmicky and could've been just as low-key as the rest of the movie. The 'special effects' and theatrics in the courtroom are a bit out of step with the rest of the movie. But otherwise, this one is a real charmer. Now, if only we could get the sequels on dvd too.....

George Burns plays wonderfully as God and the ensuing scenes where he convinces Denver that he is who he says he is have an enduring and endearing quality. His message is simple. God is alive. God cares. We have been given everything we need to make it work - and it can, if we want it to. Convincing the world, however, is another matter. From the religious editor at the LA Times who thinks Denver is just another fruitcake to Denver's boss at Food World who is offended that Denver would suggest that God would pick an unbelieving assistant manager instead of him, a man who has prayed with Billy Graham, no less, all the personalities come out. After an appearance on Dinah Shore, spaced out weirdos show up on his lawn and harass his kids and wife. Finally, a panel of religious experts agree to give Denver a set of questions that he could not possibly answer (they are written in Aramaic). After completing the questions, Denver delivers his package and a few choice words from God to a stereotypical televangelist (aka "God's Own Quarterback" - having delivered the benediction at this year's Superbowl). The film finally culminates in a courtroom scene where Burns, as God, gives a powerful delivery.

This film has some of the best writing. Burns has many humorous lines - it IS a comedy - but he also has some pretty profound and meaningful lines. In an obvious reference to the film The Exorcist, he comments on how easy it is for people to believe in the devil. But not God. He says that what we have here is some of his best work, that we should take care of it and appreciate it. He says that he knows how hard it can be in these troubled times to believe in God but, if it helps, we should know that he believes in us.

The commentary track reveals a few interesting things about the movie, but also rambles about non-related things. They admitted they hadn't seen the movie in a long time, so their commentary could have been better had they prepared.

Another weird problem: the music on the main menu is so distorted it sounds like it's being played through a cheap hand radio. But the sound on the movie is good.

If I could rate the DVD features separately, I would give them two stars.

The movie was a bit pretentious in that John had to be pestered in order to be convinced that George Burns was God.What kind of example is that to have to be cow towed into believing in something or someone? That's not "free will". That's desperation!

Where were the laughs? George Burns spitting out one liners? John Denver being humiliated? The writers making George Burns do silly tricks in order to convince John he was God? I call that bad writing.

I found it cruel that Burns as God would hassle John at work, then pretend he's someone else when confronted, making John look like a fool in front of customers. His reasoning was that he didn't want others to know who he is. How cowardly! You either show yourself to everyone according to their preferred image, or show yourself to no one. Spread your own Word, or spread nothing.

It's cruely unGodly to make good guys like John Denver a laughing stock not to mention getting him fired. John suffers the consequences of humiliation while God happily goes to Africa for a little rest and relaxation justifying destroying a man's life by the fact that now people know of your existance. Or shall I say forcing people to know you're around.

If John Denver didn't put in such a memorable performance I wouldn't of given this movie a second thought. Too bad he didn't do any singing. With a little work "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" would've sounded great as a Gospel tune.