User Reviews

To start with, I'm an atheist & still love this series, so it's not at all an offensive religious theme, it's basic human kindness & respect, being good deep down, that's the goal & Landon helps troubled souls in his various "jobs" for god. With 111 episodes there's plenty to binge through on Netflix:)

I remember watching this in younger simpler times & as one reviewer put it, as does the show pilots dialogue, 1980 nor 2020 are those days! But as Landon says we can change it by being kinder & choosing to trust sooner. The values in the series closely match my own, even being an atheist, I've been part of religions before & understand the concept, the stories, etc.

I never saw the full series in sequence so grateful for tech like Netflix streaming, I can binge watch the show & it's way better an offering than what else is on tv these days. I highly recommend a rewatch or real run through watch of the series in sequence. We can all use that heart warming feeling, the smiles & laughs, the serious problems Landon takes on & how perfectly he deals with them.

Although occasionally the episodes could truly become maudlin, Highway To Heaven was generally a nice family oriented series that dealt with some serious topics in the stories. Michael Landon produced and co-starred in this series with his fellow expatriate regular from Little House On The Prarie Victor French.

I remember that first episode well. French is a cynical former detective with the Oakland PD and throughout the series proclaimed his love for the Oakland Athletics with the cap he wore. He's a peripheral character in the plot of that episode, but he hasn't forgotten his police training. He knows there's something not quite right about Landon and in the end Landon has to fess up the holy unvarnished truth. So French becomes uncynical and a partner in the various assignments that probationary angel Landon gets.

The assignments ran the gamut from simply uniting people in romance who were meant for each other but never quite connected to tackling things like racism, poverty, homelessness among others. Some stories were better than others, some things might be dealt with today that couldn't have been dealt with in the Eighties. It would be interesting if the Landon estate would consent to a revival of the series, what might be an episode subject now that wasn't then. And of course who could take the place of Michael Landon and Victor French.

The real life friendship between these guys is a big part of what made the show work. Their scenes in their vehicle are a lot like the ones between Jack Webb and Harry Morgan in Dragnet where you got to see a bit of the human and human-about-to-be-an-angel sides of French and Landon. The small talk between the two players in both series gave these guys a more rounded character. In the case of Landon he's not quite left earthly values and emotions behind and in some episodes he struggles.

I'd check some of the stories out, they're worth a look.

It's a sad state of affairs when you have to go back to the 80's to find a show with good, redeeming messages (not like the garbage on TV today but that's for another day).

Anyway, this is very good. Michael Landon was perfect was this role.

One might expect that any show about an angel of god who walks the Earth trying to help people would be heavy-handed and depressing. Highway to Heaven is neither. It's an uplifting show that showcases all the best aspects of religion and niceness. Unlike "Touched by an Angel" and the televangelist shows, HtH deals with whether a person is good, not whether they subscribe to the right religion. There is room in the definition of "good" to include businessmen, politicians, and former criminals. I'm a hardcore atheist and I still love this show.

In addition, the element of God's power is never used as a club. Jonathan has "the stuff," but never uses it until words and persuasion have failed. It almost makes one feel that with a little effort, they might do some good themselves in the world. Throw in the grainy mid-80s picture and you've got a wonderful bit of escapism to a world where just a little good will can move mountains.

I grew up watching this TV show and it was usually very touching and sometimes very sad. There is one episode in season 2 that was very good called "Friends". It's about an overweight girl, Jenny, who is desperate to make friends at school. When she begins to tutor the school jock, Jack, another girl in school gets jealous and acts like she is her friend. Then she humiliates Jenny in front of Jack. Jonathan helps her build her self-esteem and brings Jack's down a bit.

I also enjoyed these two guys on Little House on the Prairie which was an excellent family show (I own all seasons on DVD!) It's sad that some people think these two were gay. I guess some narrow-minded people can't understand that two guys can be very good friends. Especially with all of the trash on TV now, if a show is very wholesome some people don't like it and have to try to tear it down.

Anyone with children who wants to let them watch a show without profanity and filth should let them watch this great show. We all love and miss you Michael and Victor!

Could a series like this be made today? I doubt it. Many of today's television aficionados look at any kind of sentiment as a weakness and something to be scoffed at.

Michael Landon always believed the opposite: that it's courageous and even important to show your emotions; that it's actually cowardly to hide behind them and your feelings. Perhaps that is why it took a brave man like a Michael Landon to spearhead a show that would demonstrate to the world this simple truth: absolute vulnerability is the only true courage.

Jonathan Smith, an angel, spends his time wandering around Southern California, meeting people, and helping them. He picks up a partner in Mark Gordon (Victor French), an ex-cop, who is often used for humerous moments (who can argue that Mr. Edwards from LHOTP wasn't one of the most beloved characters of that series!). We also find that Gordon is a good fit for Jonathan. Sometimes, his own life wisdom rivals that of Jonathan's, and that Jonathan needs someone to keep him grounded and in-check.

We have a lot of themes in this series: drug addiction, cancer, terminally ill people, dealing with the elderly, conceited people, people looking for love, people dealing with disabilities, etc. The spectrum is vast, and for the most part, every episode is a wonder. Yes, there are some that are far more memorable than others, but Landon's ability to tap into the feelings and emotions has always been as brilliant as it was uncanny.

While some fans may still find the series way too sentimental, it really doesn't get mired down in heavy melodrama. Instead, it brings true feelings and insights to light. In other words, the emotions fit the situation. And Landon knew exactly when and where to tap into them. He also had an uncanny knack of instilling as much humor as he did sentiment. There was often a good balance.

In the long term, Landon dared the viewer to face his/her own emotions, and I daresay, there are episodes where you will struggle NOT to shed a few tears. That's how effective Landon and French were. As the writer and director of many episodes, Landon was able to instill his own feelings and pieces of Life Wisdom into each episode.

While there are some Judeo-Christian thematic elements, the show actually isn't religious. It never advertises or proposes that there is only one way. There were even episodes (Child of God) where it is encouraged to love and be supportive of others no matter what path they choose. That no one is inherently better than anyone else.

In short, Landon believed that love was universal and that everyone can do a much better job of treating others with dignity, respect, and yes, even love. This was what he was trying to demonstrate with this show. And to my mind, he more than succeeded! Whenever I find myself craving an uplifting show with good values, and something that will make me feel good after I watch it, I invariably turn to "Highway to Heaven."

I never could stand this show with its mawkish story lines, saccharine plot resolutions, and (mostly) horrendous acting. I'm sure Michael Landon was a good man--many who knew him apparently loved him, and grieved over his death, but he was never much of an actor. Still, somehow he managed to parlay his good looks and easy charm into a successful television career. And I have particularly resented him for his work on Little House On the Prairie, a series based on the excellent Laura Ingalls Wilder books which he co-produced, turning it into a sugary insult to the original children's books. What a shame.

--arnie113

I was very pleased to find find others who loved this show as much as I...but honestly...I wasn't surprised. I still watch this show to this very day - the reruns play on a network called UP. Even though I have seen every episode...I always feel good watching them again and again...one might call the feeling I get as joy; I don't use that word much. I have watched so many shows over the years and none make me feel the way this show does. Michael Landon was truly an angel to have created this series...so call it cheesy...call it outdated...call me sentimental - I don't care. All I know is that there is allot of good in the world and it only takes an hour out of my day to remind me of that.

The show has a good message; about an angel trying to help people through their struggles. Michael Landon and Victor French play well off of each other and they are very good actors. But I found this series to be boring after a while. It was the same sort of stories told over and over again. And most of the episodes were about older folks and their struggles in the world. What about the younger population? They have struggles too.

Highway to Heaven is probably the greatest television show I have ever watched. Michael Landon showed us the viewers the way older people, people with disabilities, and others can be treated so badly in society. As Jonathan Smith Michael tried to instil better values in people, as well as showing us how to treat people with love and respect. Plus there was always plenty of action when Jonathan would be forced to defend people from thugs. One of my favourite episodes has to be the one where a man has his food taken from him by thugs, Jonathan says to the thugs c'mon give the kid back his food you've had your fun, when they refused Jonathan threw the thugs all over the place. The show also showed Jonathan and Mark on wonderful journey's from town to town each week, which was great. Michael Landon tried to show people how to love and laugh, just watching an episode makes you want to get out there and help someone out. I thank Michael Landon for inspiring me to be a better person. I will never forget what Michael Landon has contributed to my life, and I thank him so much. Highway to Heaven should be on television again, rather than the non-family oriented Reality Television Shows of today. Michael's television shows took me back to my childhood memories of my loving grandmother Mavis Brewis. I am certain that Michael Landon and my grandmother are now real angels of god.

Okay, Highway to Heaven was one of those feel-good dramas with a heart and soul. Of course, Michael Landson's last show brought us one of his finest acting performances as angel sent to earth to help the mortals make amends with their loved ones, relatives, friends, and themselves. All the episodes had a heart and soul kind of feeling that made you want to reach out and grab a handkerchief. This show was one of the better shows of the 1980s. Sadly, Michael Landon and Victor French died shortly later. They both acted wonderfully as friends, travelling companions and nothing more on a journey that took them all over the country. We don't have shows like Highway to Heaven anymore and I hope they will bring it to DVD soon.

So glad this show is out there now, I have missed it! I like to watch these and always feel great after I do.

This show is dull and mediocre. A rubbish premise with poor dialogue and stories.

Wow, I used to love this program, I woke up this morning thinking about it! Very fond memories watching it!

I must have been around 6years old watching this, it was always on in the UK around early afternoons I think - I really thought I was older, but when it came out - I was 2!! So I must have started watching it later on in the series.

Michael, wasn't he in Little House on the Prarie as well? Another good little program!

Ahh, Very fond memories of this - gonna be sad, and try find the DVD's! Anyway, it's certainly betters from the rubbish thats on TV now! (Well, OK, some stuff!)

I guess this really wasn't a proper review - just a nostalgic post!

This show may have been to mushy for some. I was already a fan of Landon's back to the Bonanza days. "Highway To Heaven" really allowed Landon a broad base a touch on every subject. The stories dealt with mentally and physical disabilities to obesity, lying, cheating, greed, gambling, poverty, literacy to just about every subject within the human spectrum and beyond. This show gave Michael Landon a real pair of wings to express his undying love to the human race. I managed to record 75 episodes from TV. These are truly heartwarming stories so if you think they're to mushy you may just need to watch the show more then the rest of us. This show was TRULY INSPIRATIONAL and ALL HEART.

Watching the episodes again on Fox Nation. Starting at season 1 and going to work through all the episodes available.

They always have a "mission" to help guide someone, though sometimes you don't know exactly what the help will do, but invariably there are parts that just make you shed a little tear, because you really get it. The inherent goodness and value of people. And how to treat people. Michale Landon never seems to lose his cool, and yet he is firm and at the same time gentle. And there is always a message in each episode that you can take with you. For me, at the end of each episode, I can take a deep breath and say to myself, "That was great."

And I feel so good after watching it.

I was a fan of Little House on the Prairie with Michael Landon, and despite growing up a Protestant Christian, I don't remember watching a single episode in it's original run. Stumbled across it on Prime and began with episode one season one. Every episode has humor, heart, and a good moral lesson without hitting you over the head with it. My girlfriend and I love it, and would recommend it to anyone. Families in particular They just don't make shows like this anymore.

Highway to Heaven was a very good family show. I don't know if it is still out there running on TV in reruns on any channel because I still do not have cable, but I don't think it is. I have not been able to find it on DVD for any affordable price yet but if I did I would pick it up. It lasted several seasons and was about Michael Landon as an angel sent from Heaven to help people on earth who are struggling in some way. He is helped by the nice bearded man who was in Little House on the Prairie with him as his best friend. He drives Landon from place to place and helps him out with his different missions and adventures. The show was really heartwarming and just a good show, the kind of thing the whole family would watch together.

Late actors Michael Landon and Victor French did a lovely job as Jonathan Smith and Mark Gordon on this show.

Jonathan was an angel and each week he joined up with ex-policeman Mark Gordon. There were a multitude of stories; Jonathan and Mark would always help some poor soul out without resorting to the usual TV method of violence. Throughout the show, they helped many different types of people from alcoholics to those expressing self-doubt. It was very sentimental at times but watching it gave one a sense of inner peace. I am actually an agnostic as far as religion goes but even if one doesn't believe in God, a lot can be learned from a show like this on how to treat people and how to do things the right way.

All in all, a very sentimental show. My girlfriend did cry at some episodes so perhaps a few tissues would be advised if watching this show.

Michael Landon and Victor French bring great stories that showcase broken people in need, and teaches us the importance of the way that we treat each other.

Their down to earth approach focuses our attention on the importance of how we treat each other.

I'd like to think that Heaven holds a special place for the wonderful man that is Michael Landon - if "Highway to Heaven" is any reflection of his merits, in my book he should be a saint and truly rest among the angels.

With a simple television show, ML shared enriching tales that couldn't help but uplift the viewer with positive and sometimes deeply profound messages. Sure it was sappy at times and perhaps some of the plotlines could be a little contrived but overall ML was a truly talented writer AND director AND actor, playing the jack of all trades marvelously with what was overall a pretty darned good show.

To boot, the wonderful Victor French also acts and occasionally directs (and possibly writes?) some episodes. What an incredibly gifted duo!

Oh, and you gotta love the theme song ;).

I'd bet every viewer of this series had a favorite episode. There were several I liked as "best" so its hard to narrow it down to one but I especially liked the Doctor Martin/Martinez episode about the Hispanic MD who led a double life as a white guy named Martin who moved his family into an upscale restricted community and as Hispanic Doctor Martinez who did free work at a clinic in a Mexican American community while his real mom was unaware of her white daghter in law and grandson. A most heart warming episode indeed.