Angel of the Lord

Angel of the Lord is a 2005 Czech fantasy comedy film directed by Jiří Strach. Based on folk tales by Božena Němcová, it tells the story of a ne'er-do-well angel who descends to Earth to prove himself and in the process, saves his own soul. In 2016, Strach directed a sequel, Angel of the Lord 2. Plot Up in Heaven, the bumbling angel Petronel feels misunderstood and unfairly treated. He complains to God and asks for an opportunity to prove himself. God grants him this request by asking him to replace Saint Peter at the pearly gates while the latter is away. At the gates, Petronel meets the devil Uriáš, who is there to collect sinners once they have been judged. Petronel sentences three souls to Hell, then begins to play cards with the devil, neglecting his duties. A lineup develops, and God shows up to investigate. He rebukes Petronel, who takes it upon himself to castigate the Lord instead of taking responsibility for his negligence. God then decides to punish the impudent angel by sending him down to Earth in the form of a mendicant monk. He is tasked with saving the soul of one sinner within the span of a day. If he fails, he will be condemned to Hell. Uriáš is sent down to accompany Petronel.