The Song of Bernadette (1943)
Aug 14, 2020 11:59:18 GMT
politicidal, mattgarth, and 3 more like this
Post by wmcclain on Aug 14, 2020 11:59:18 GMT
The Song of Bernadette (1943), directed by Henry King.
In 1858, at Lourdes, France, a peasant girl experiences a series of visitations from a presence she calls "The Lady", but which everyone else understands to be the Virgin Mary. She develops a small following among the poor, but is opposed by both Church and State and is threatened with the insane asylum.
Then the miracles begin.
It's a lovely presentation of the story, matter of fact in tone and realistic in clothes and settings. A bit long at 2 1/2 hours; they could have cut some of the politics. And those miracles: all might have natural explanations.
Fine characterizations by the actors, particularly:
Famous Alfred Newman score.
Available on Blu-ray from Twilight Time. The image is sometimes quite good -- those stone and wood textures -- but the source quality is variable, with some print damage. The commentary track is edited together from three somewhat gushy film scholars: a theologian, a Jennifer Jones biographer, and an Alfred Newman fan.
In 1858, at Lourdes, France, a peasant girl experiences a series of visitations from a presence she calls "The Lady", but which everyone else understands to be the Virgin Mary. She develops a small following among the poor, but is opposed by both Church and State and is threatened with the insane asylum.
Then the miracles begin.
It's a lovely presentation of the story, matter of fact in tone and realistic in clothes and settings. A bit long at 2 1/2 hours; they could have cut some of the politics. And those miracles: all might have natural explanations.
Fine characterizations by the actors, particularly:
- "Introducing" luminous Jennifer Jones, a perfect combination of youth and innocence with sadness, far-seeing wisdom and spiritual pain.
- Vincent Price as the bitter, sarcastic prosecutor.
- Lee J. Cobb as the doctor, skeptical but knowing the limits of rationality.
- The always unsmiling Charles Bickford, a strict priest who is first an enemy, but then an ally.
- Gladys Cooper as a cruel nun who persecutes Bernadette, realizing the depth of her envious sin only at the end.
Famous Alfred Newman score.
Available on Blu-ray from Twilight Time. The image is sometimes quite good -- those stone and wood textures -- but the source quality is variable, with some print damage. The commentary track is edited together from three somewhat gushy film scholars: a theologian, a Jennifer Jones biographer, and an Alfred Newman fan.
