The Song of Bernadette (25-Dec-1943)
Director: Henry King Writer: George Seaton From novel: The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel Music: Alfred Newman Producer: William Perlberg Keywords: Drama, Nuns
CAST REVIEWS Review by Franz Werhl (posted on 21-May-2007) I have seen this movie over 12 times and still get a little emotional. This was acting at its best and was true to the book. There is one line in the movie that describes it and whenever I hear that one line, I recall the movie and the context it was stated; "for those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible". This was also a movie of personal courage and is one of my favorites.
Review by Richard Conner (posted on 21-Aug-2007) Jennifer Jones won a well deserved oscar for her depiction of Bernadette Soubirous, the young teen in Lourdes, France who happened upon a vision of a "beautiful young lady, dressed in white..." in a grotto near her home town in 1859. Bernadette was a very real person, and what makes this film extraordinary to me, a non-Catholic, is its absolutely unfailing depiction of the events surrounding Bernadette's subsequent visions which attract the attention of tens of thousands, including the highest realms of the Holy See.
In those visions, a series of communications to Bernadette, in a virtual trance of religious ecstacy, convince observers that her visions are indeed of the Virgin Mary. Bernadette's visions include discovery of a spring which she digs out of the ground with her bare hands and which forms one basis of an extraordinary destination of the sick, lame, and religiously devout of multiple religions seeking what appear to be healing powers of the waters. Millions of visitors trek there each year, even over one hundred and fifty years later.
What sets the film apart is first that it was filmed in the midst of World War Two, which required an unfailing reproduction of the grotto on site in the US. Second, this is absolutely no wasted effort in this film. Every scene is pertinent to the development and exposition of the story. Supurb actors such as Lee J. Cobb and Vincent Price contribute to the excellence of this film. Regardless of one's religion, the viewer will find it difficult to come away with other than a sense of awe about the message of the film, and the acting that makes it real.
Review by anonymous (posted on 15-Feb-2007) I have rated "THE SONG of BERNADETTE", with Four Stars.I first saw this movie when I was a young woman and could never get it out of my mind, always wondering when I would ever get the chance to view it again? I was of the Protestant Faith and after seeing the magnificently supurb acting by Jennifer Jones in this picture I decided to become a Roman Catholic. Her portrail of Godliness brought me ever so close to GOD and the faith of the church. She left a lasting impression on me and I have sought to see all her movies thereafter! What a master of acting is she!! Each and every role she ever played was performed with a style all her own and one that no one has ever been able to fill in my opinion. I only wish that I could have had the great glory to have met Jennifer in my lifetime. Much to my dismay, sadly, I have never had the chance. I also admired her beauty, her eyes alone told the story with her expressions!! In my own opinion I feel there was never a star greater or more beautiful than Jennifer Jones.....I thank you for this chance to applaude such a masterful actress, and I do hope you will inform her of my Review!! I am truly, Gloria J. Sebelin
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