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3.1.12 The "Fourth World."
** Who first mentioned the "Fourth World?"
The "Fourth World" was first mentioned by Juliet in the scene at the Ilam
shrine. Pauline commented: "But we're all going to Heaven!"--sorry, I mean
"Hihvin." [This is a reference to many real-life statements by Pauline and
Juliet too numerous to list. e.g. see Medlicott's article 7.8.1. jp] Juliet said she
wasn't--she was going to the Fourth World (see 3.2.7).
** What was the Fourth World?
Juliet said it was a place for "Music, Art and pure enjoyment." Mario would be
there, and James, only they would be Saints.
Later, both girls had visions of the "Fourth World" and it came to intrude on
their perceptions of the real world, as well.
** Was the "Fourth World" another name for
"Heaven?"
Most definitely not. Juliet said The "Fourth World" was "better than Heaven
because there weren't any Christians."
** Who discovered the "Fourth World" and when?
Juliet was the first to see the "Fourth World," at Port Levy during Easter
holidays with the Hulmes. Pauline was confused at first, until Juliet stood tall against
the sky, took a deep breath and, in a sure voice, full of knowing anticipation, said:
"Come with me!" (an important moment in "Heavenly Creatures.").
Both Juliet and Pauline went on to have a realistic, sensual vision of the "Fourth
World." Interestingly, in real life, the vision occurred on Good Friday, 1953, the
day commemorating Christ's trials, doubt, crucifiction, suffering and death, and not on
Easter Sunday, the day commemorating his resurrection from the dead. "Heavenly
Creatures" says the vision was apparently triggered by Juliet's intense depression,
brought about because her parents planned to leave her behind in New Zealand when they
went on a trip to England. ** Who could 'look in to' the "Fourth World" and
when?, Pauline stated in her diary entry that "only about ten people" had
the ability, the 'key,' to look into the "Fourth World," and that this could
only occur on well-defined occasions, twice a year, when a gateway opened up through the
clouds. The bright light of the gateway was like a brilliant six-pointed star--very
similar to the star in the CGHS crest that was shown in the very first shot of
"Heavenly Creatures," after the title. Both Pauline and Juliet had this ability
to 'look in to' the "Fourth World," because of an extra part of their brain, and
that made them rare and special, and brilliant and it set them far apart from ordinary
people. 'Looking in to' the "Fourth World" was apparently a different
phenomenon, in the girls' eyes, from simply imagining the "Fourth World."
** What was the "Fourth World" like?
In the girls' visions of the "Fourth World," it appeared to be like a lush,
over-ripe, beautiful, sunny garden. There were manicured lawns, fountains and pools,
marble statues, flowers in vibrant bloom, birds, giant butterflies and mythical beasts,
like unicorns, tame and docile. In short, it looked a lot like the gardens and grounds of
Ilam, the Hulme's residence. The "Saints" were supposed to live there, but
they were never shown in the girls' visions of the "Fourth World."
** Was "Borovnia" part of the "Fourth
World?"
This wasn't specified clearly in "Heavenly Creatures." At first, the two
concepts seemed to be quite separate. The girls had visions of Borovnia independent of
their visions of the "Fourth World," and the characters, objects and tone of the
two places appeared to be quite distinct. Specifically, Borovnia was shown to be a lusty,
bawdy, violent place while the "Fourth World" was peaceful and pastoral; Pauline
described it as being full of peace and bliss. Later in the film, it seemed as if Borovnia
may have existed as a kingdom in the "Fourth World," judging from images of the
countryside seen outside Borovnia in some of the visions.
The "Saints" were said to exist in the "Fourth World." Some of the
Borovnian characters had the features of the Saints and, of course, Mario Lanza was
himself and he was supposed to live in
the "Fourth World."
** Who were the Saints?
Juliet initially identified four Saints:
Mario (Lanza)..........................."HE"
James Mason............................"HIM"
Mel Ferrar............................"THIS"
Suie Bjuling (IDd from script)........"THAT"
(I reckon this could be Jussi Bjoerling, the tenor, very popular in the 1950s).
Pauline commented "Oh, I wish James Mason would do a religious picture. He'd be perfect as Jesus." Then proposed:
Orson Welles............................"IT"
but Juliet vetoed this, saying: "Certainly not! Oooh! Orson Welles--the most hideous man alive!" and she cast his picture to the water. Later, after the girls see "The Third Man," they don't change their opinions about his looks, but they both admit they "adore him," and "IT" is elevated to full sainthood.
