The present invention provides a vapor-liquid contact device for use in a distillation column and method incorporating the use of such a vapor-liquid contact device. The vapor-liquid contact device has arrays of elongated strips to support a falling film of a liquid and contact of a vapor with the film. The strips are supported in a structure having top and bottom sections connected to opposite ends of the strips. The top sections have apertures in registry with the strips so that liquid distributed to the top section seeps out of the apertures to initiate formation of the falling film. Openings are provided at the top and bottom sections, so that a vapor is able to pass through the support structure to contact the falling film to effect contact between the liquid and the vapor. Liquid distributors are associated with the top section to distribute the liquid to the apertures.
