User reviews

Bernadette Soubirous, 1844-1879, was a modest, shy, retiring religious girl of strong convictions in her faith who would have passed through this world unnoticed by many, but for an incident in her hometown of Lourdes in France. If you believe it was all a hallucination than this film will mean nothing to you.

But there are a great many people who believe that the pious young lady was chosen for a visit from the Virgin Mary one day when she was an adolescent teen. The Virgin Mary appeared to her several times in that location which in fact was the town garbage dump. In that spot an underground spring was discovered that had healing properties.

The film is based on a historical novel by Franz Werfel and Darryl F. Zanuck decided on an unknown to play young Bernadette. The girl chosen was Phyllis Isley of Oklahoma whose name was changed to Jennifer Jones and in her third film and first under her new identity, Jennifer Jones walked off with Best Actress Award of 1943. She beat out such seasoned veterans as Ingrid Bergman, Joan Fontaine, Jean Arthur, and Greer Garson. I'm sure it helped Jones that Fontaine and Garson were the previous two year's winners, that the film was such a hit, and that David O. Selznick had totally flipped for her and used every bit of influence to get that Oscar.

With all of that and a great performance as well. Jones captures both the simple beauty and piety of the young girl who may have been given insights into matters spiritual. Playing the Virgin Mary in an unbilled part was Linda Darnell, a fact I believe that did not come out until after Ms. Darnell's death in 1963.

Director Henry King gave his young unknown a lot of support by assembling a thoroughly professional cast without a bad performance in the lot. Such people as Lee J. Cobb, Vincent Price, Charles Dingle, Gladys Cooper, Roman Bohnen, and Anne Revere were just perfect in their parts.

As was Charles Bickford in the role of the priest and director of the Catholic school in Lourdes. He's very skeptical at first, but becomes her firm champion. Jones and Bickford became extremely close in this film, she looked up to Bickford for the rest of his life as a father figure in Hollywood. Bickford was nominated for Best Supportin Actor, but lost to Charles Coburn and Cooper and Revere both received nominations for Best Supporting Actress, but lost to Katina Paxinou.

Even with a more recent film telling the Bernadette Soubirous story that came out in 1989 with Sydney Penny, this film is still owned and shown in many Catholic churches and schools to this day. But even the most hardened of unbelievers will be blown away by Jones's performance.

The 'Song of Bernadette' gives us (as viewers) a little insight into the life of one of the best known saints in the Catholic religion….'St Bernadette'. It was from Bernadette's efforts and deep faith, the spring of healing waters at Lourdes were given to us. From Our Lady and through Bernadette the spring started to flow….to this very day it continues to help the faithful who are sick and disabled.

A beautifully scripted film, it tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young French girl who was chosen above all others to bestow her eyes on the Mother of Christ. One day in a grotto in the province of Lourdes France she has a vision of Our Lady – The Immaculate Conception. The Story follows her journey from poor peasant girl till she enters the convent.

One of the many reasons why I love this film is because of the sincerity and unrelenting faith one person can have, faced with so much doubt and ridicule shown by others. The performance of Jennifer Jones is flawless, proved in the fact she received an Oscar for her efforts. The other cast members were brilliant too; each individual character portrayed their role with conviction. So many wonderful actors; Anne Revere, Vincent Price, Charles Bickford, Lee J. Cobb and Gladys Cooper in support. The production, especially the set designs give a realism to the actual time period of France in the 1800's. Altogether this film accumulated 4 Academy Awards, and 3 of them unsurprisingly going to production; Cinematography, Art Direction and Best Musical Score. I give it a well deserved 9/10.

This is probably the best film on a religious topic ever made. Whereas many other films of this type wallow in sentiment which is a substitute for genuine reverence, this film is able to underplay the emotions and thus gives its subject a great deal of dignity. Jennifer Jones is totally convincing as the naive innocent who has an incredibly extraordinary experience which changes her life as well as the lives of everyone she touches and the lives of everyone who hears of her. The rest of the cast is also superb, including Lee J. Cobb as the careful doctor, Vincent Price as the petty politician, Charles Bickford as the stern priest, and Gladys Cooper as the envious nun. The FX are tender instead of dazzling, and thus they convince in a way that many FX totally miss. The settings, atmosphere, music, and cast add up to a truly moving and profound experience that few other films have achieved.

Despite being a huge classic film fan, it took me a while to get round to watching 'The Song of Bernadette'. Partly because of being so busy, but also, although being an admirer of a lot of the cast and crew, finding that the subject matter didn't appeal to me for a while.

Goodness knows why though, because finally getting round to it 'The Song of Bernadette' was a miracle of a film. Sure it is a long film, perhaps a little too long (the only thing that counts as a debit against it for me, and it is so small because what it does right is enough to fill a novel), but contrary to one might think its point of view that it portrays is valid and very sincerely put across, not heavy-handedly or in a way that's biased. It also, from personal view, doesn't contrive to move audiences, or convert viewers and sceptics to its way of thinking. The emotional impact comes from how well it explores its subject matter and how much the sincerity and poignancy shines through every frame and performance.

Before one forgets, 'The Song of Bernadette' is a surprisingly quite faithful account of the story of Bernadette Soubirous, which is an amazing story in itself, some may ask how idealised it is, actually considering other films based on true stories/history etc and the subject matter it doesn't actually feel that idealistic. It manages to do the seemingly impossible in making capture the main events, spirit, background and atmosphere of Werfel's novel and making everything cohesive while condensing things necessarily to the point from a book so rich in detail to the point of bloat.

There are so many that make 'The Song of Bernadette' a film miracle. The luminous black and white photography wholly deserved its Oscar, that, the atmospheric lighting and sumptuous production values help make 'The Song of Bernadette' one of that year's (that half of the decade even too) most visually beautiful films. Alfred Newman's score adds so much to the film to the extent that the film may have been a completely different one without it, and it's hardly surprising it's garnered a soundtrack album of its own considering how well it stands up as music on its own. It's stirring and achingly gorgeous music, some of my favourite work of his.

Scripting doesn't resort to preachy sermonising or bias, instead it's very intelligently written and as aforementioned the argument it makes is valid and sincere, and it makes sense. The dialogue itself does provoke thought some time after. The story is incredibly moving and inspiring, also being careful not to paint its characters too black and white. Despite being a long film, the production values, music and performances are so wonderful, Henry King's direction so sensitive and the emotions so high that one is riveted throughout.

Jennifer Jones, in her debut performance (in her own name that is, having done a few other previous projects under a different name), seldom gave a more touching or better performance, of her five Oscar nominations this was the only time she won one and it was a very deserved win from personal view.

In support she is particularly well aided by Gladys Cooper, on fiery form, Vincent Price, impeccably giving his character menacing colour and unusual restraint, and Charles Bickford, suitably sympathetic. The Virgin is sincerely portrayed as a symbol of hope by Linda Darnell, am also of the opinion that the film and role were not trying to say anything comparing who was greater between Mary and Jesus, it was just a symbol.

Overall, a miracle of a film. Whether one is converted is very dependent on the person, personally I watched 'The Song of Bernadette' expecting to be challenged but still admire it a good deal, finished it feeling very moved and inspired. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I'm not Catholic, but this film makes you want to believe the whole thing. I've never been so moved by a story demonstrating the incredible power of innocence and simplicity as performed by Jennifer Jones in this faithful adaptation of the true story of the now-canonized Bernadette Soubirous. Beyond this story, the sets, performances, narrative flow, and in particular, the heavenly-inspired music of Alfred Newman is nothing short of transporting. Some may find the movie overlong, but I cherished every character and angle to the story--much like enjoying the book with all of its detail. This effort demonstrates more than just the quality of the golden age of cinema and 20th Century Fox, but it adds a cast and crew clearly inspired to tell this true story like no other has been told before or since.

I have read where several people claim that there are flaws and imperfections in this film. But that is just not so. Even if you do not agree with the subject matter, and I do not come down on either side here, even though a catholic, it is simply a matter of capturing the emotional perfection of the story. Jennifer Jones had many fine roles in her career, but, as is all to often not the case, she honestly deserved the Best Actress Oscar for this her finest screen moment. Guided under the very skilled hand of one of Hollywood's often unsung but greatest director's Henry King this motion picture shines with a divine radiance all its own.

The performances of the other cast members were also on a par with the lead role. I will here only mention a few. Charles Bickford as the priest who first scoffs and eventually becomes a firm believer was his very best. Vincent Price, who is always able to play a villainous role to perfection was excellent as the doubting prosecutor who cannot be convinced. And Lee J. Cobb turns in an excellent performance also. But the second kudos of the film go to Gladys Cooper, who should have won a best supporting award as the old nun, who cannot accept Bernadette for who and what she is.

Finally, a note for the person who said the was no song in the movie and questioned the title. The whole film was a song or more correctly a psalm of faith, and the psalms were never sung but spoken. The music of ALfred Newman again underscores the action of this film perfectly. It is high on my top twenty-five films of all time.

This is a nice spiritual and historical experience concerning the brilliant story of Bernadette Soubirous : Jennifer Jones is terrific in the lead , who lived in Lourdes , a village in Southern France close to the Spanish border . For those who believe in God , no explanation is necessary . For those who do not believe in God , no explanation is possible . It is set on February 11. 1858 , Lourdes. While walking thoughout countryside , a poor girl receives an amazing appearance , Virgin Mary herself who tells her : I cannot promise your happiness in this life , only in the next . Along the way , she was both praised by some and mocked by others of the faith . Bernardette has to deal with envy , jealously and real skepticism by local authorities as the public prosecutor and atheist : Vincent Price , the doctor: Lee J Cobb and Mayor : Aubrey Mather . Later on , she attracts wider attention , even by the village reverend : Chales Bickford and eventualy considered a Saint and became a nun at a convent. A Miracle of Motion Picture Achievement ! A picture of all ..and for all time ! Winner of 5 Academy Awards ! Greatness no human Words can describe .. but which every human heart can feel.. and share !

A religious made version about the popular miracle of a simple French girl who saw visions at Lourdes is at times very touching . A stirring account of the well known story , being accurately filmed and in Hollywood style . The film is based on real testimony used in her canonization process , and takes care enough to stay faithfully with the facts . It is a great way to learn the historical events depicting Bernadette's existence as well as her life at a convent . It won five deserved Oscars : for Jennifer Jones who from now on rocketing to stardom , for its cinematography by Arthur C. Miller , music by Alfred Newman and art direction , though it lost out on the best movie competition, to Casablanca which was only justice. It was also adapted as The Passion of Bernadette 1990 by Jean Delannoy with Sydney Penny , Emmanuelle Riva , Georges Wilson

Starring Jennifer Jones as the visionary Saint , as she gives a fine acting , though miscast playing a very young girl . Along with Jennifer apppears a lot of notorious actors delivering portentous interpretations , such as : Charles Bickford , Vincent Price , Lee J Cobb , Anne Revere , Mary Anderson , Patricia Morrison, Charles Dingle , Sig Ruman , Marcel Dalio, Pedro de Córdoba, among others . The motion picture was competently directed by Henry King , who stuck to historical documents , though being overlong.

I recently bought this movie, and just finished watching it the first time. All I can say is, WOW! Why doesn't Hollywood make movies like this anymore? I know, there's more money in showing gratuitous sex and violence...at least that's what they tell themselves. But for my hard-earned dough, nothing tops a film about the purity and innocence of faith, and that's what 'The Song of Bernadette' is all about. It's also good for quite a few laughs, as you see the imperial prosecutor's scheming against Bernadette fail time and time again. :)

My only complaint is that toward the end of the movie, I found myself wondering what was left to tell. Thankfully, I liked the answer and won't be complaining next time I watch it.

This film is a must-see, especially for my fellow Catholics. It's made my top 10 list...why not give it a chance to make yours?

I've watched some movies about historical saints, and like this kind of stories where someone has some mystical visions and starts a spiritual journey. I was also curious because I read Vincent Price is in this film.

I guess the word to describe this film would be "charming". The main character (played by Jennifer Jones) has such aura of innocence that it is hard not to like her. Greedy businessmen then try to plot against her, and mr. Price is one of them of course. A smaller role that does not make a sole reason to watch this movie but he's a nice little addition to otherwise good film.

The movie felt a bit long but the story was consistent, so I guess no complaints. It's a movie that will give you a warm feeling, and especially if you like stories about faith, honesty and stuff like that. Recommended if you want something...good in your life for once.

I can not say anything bad about this movie. It held me spellbound for its entire length and it is a long one, 2 3/4 hours. My 4 year old son woke me up at 5:30am and, not being able to go back to sleep, I found this movie starting at 6am. I will forever be grateful to him for the interruption in my slumber. The acting, backdrop, sound track and content was wonderful. The look on Bernadette's face when she sees the beautiful lady was amazing. I cried a few times and wondered why, when people belive in God so much, they would doubt this young lady's vision. The innocence portrayed by Miss Jones was so moving and I am very happy to hear that Mary Bernard was chosen to be a saint. If you haven't seen this movie please look for it for you will not be disappointed.

I must have first seen this film when I was only an infant as I remember my childhood self being really unnerved and unable to sleep for days after seeing the supernatural visitations of the Virgin Mary to the young French peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous in early 19th Century France. That said, I have grown up an atheist but was curious to see the movie again and judge it as a mature adult.

One thing you have to say about Henry King's direction is that he definitely is on the side of the angels in that he leaves the viewer in no doubt as to whether or not he believes the young girl truly did see the holy visions she said she did. Along with Bernadette and unlike anyone else in the film, we the viewers clearly see an other-wordly female figure silently communicating with her at their every encounter, the Virgin's entrance each time announced by soaring strings and heavenly voices in the background with a bright shining light picking out her features. Perhaps today, their meetings might at least have been made more ambiguous, as while I still found these scenes moving, I was equally aware that I had been manipulated into quiescence by cinematic devices.

After she first sees the lady, as she calls her, Bernadette's modest demeanour and later physical suffering in silence see her one by one overturn the disbelieving convictions of all who doubt her, starting with her poor parents, then the parish dean and right at the end, the State Prosecutor and senior nun who are separately led to contrition for their cold treatment of the honest, unassuming girl.

In a long film like this with no great amount of actual on-screen action, conviction direction and sensitive acting are prerequisites if the film is to succeed. Jennifer Jones as Bernadette in her breakthrough role, in truth isn't required to do much other than talk quietly and demonstrate piety and pain. Charles Bickford as the initially doubtful but later devout Father Peyramale and Vincent Price as the vindictive prosecutor are the pick of the supporting cast. Along the way, director King appreciably takes time to highlight the ever-topical petty motives of the town's mayor who sees the commercial possibilities of a miracle in his midst.

This time after viewing, I won't have the nightmares I had as a child over the projected images of the Immaculate Conception and no, I wasn't persuaded myself to look for religion immediately afterwards either. I'm aware of the significance of the timing of the film's original release, during the Second World War, in providing an uplifting "With God On Our Side" affirmation for armies fighting the Allied cause. Maybe I'm still just a bit too cynical in my older years to really enter fully into the spirit of the film but in truth once I decided to surrender myself to the movie's narrative sweep, so my appreciation of it improved. By the time the final scene is reached, you wonder the mayor hasn't also set up a franchise on handkerchief sales as Bernadette nears her end but I have to concede that this is a well-made Golden Age Hollywood classic and can well understand why it was recognised by the Academy as such.

The weighty subject matter and emotional performances overshadow the film's flaws, which are numerous. Characters and events are not adequately introduced, leaving the viewer with a persistent, though not overwhelming, confusion. It runs a little long, and at times loses focus. But "The Song of Bernadette" has much to redeem it. This is true black and white cinematography, and Henry King uses highly effective lighting techniques to enhance his actors' performances. The bright lighting and soft focus on Jennifer Jones, for example, makes her angelic pose of peace believable.

One scene near the end of the film is utterly beautiful, and truly makes the movie. It takes place at a convent after Bernadette has been accepted as a nun. Sister Marie Vauzous, who has doubted Bernadette the entire film, stands over her in a pose of authority and accuses her of trying to get attention. Sister Marie is lit from an angle at sharp focus, which accentuates the lines and imperfections of her face as she asks for "proof" and laments about her own suffering. Meanwhile, Bernadette is lit straight on with a soft focus as usual, and the smoothness of her peaceful, humble face is perfect and divine. She agrees with Sister Marie that she is "a hundred times more worthy" than herself, all the while hiding the true nature of her own suffering. It is at this point that the Christian theme of salvation through suffering which has meandered its way through the film really makes its point, and it is a genuinely moving moment.

Religious figures became big success in distinguished films like "Going My Way," "The Keys of the Kingdom," "The Bells of St. Mary's," and "The Song of Bernadette."

The film is the story of a simple peasant girl who wins the quality of a 'Saint.' Bernadette was born in an isolated French village called Lourdes, in January 7, 1844...

Jennifer Jones, in a well deserved Academy Award as Best Actress, performs Bernadette Soubirous, the eldest of 9 children from a poverty-stricken family, who would not find happiness in this world, but only in the next...

In 1858, at the age of 14, while gathering firewood, the pious Bernadette had numerous visions of a 'beautiful Lady' on a hillside, on the left bank of a stream... She reveals her identity with the words: "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Bernadette, faithfully, takes great care that her statements never exceed precisely what she has seen... The entire region is soon in an uproar over the events... Bernadette stands firmly defending the 'genuineness' of these visions despite strong opposition from her frightened parents (Anne Revere and Roman Bohnen), the local clergy (Charles Bickford) and civil authorities as the Imperial prosecutor, Vital Dutour (Vincent Price).

Events have become more stressful... Interrogations and prison are a constant threat... The small town is also put under strain... Swelling to several times its population, tensions increase as expectations on one poor child carrying the residents and visitors on an emotional roller coaster...

To escape public attention, Bernadette goes to a quieter life... She is granted admission into the novitiate in the Convent of the Sisters of Nevers... There she completes her religious instruction and passes her remaining years in prayer and seclusion... She was happy and loved for her kindliness and wit, despite almost constant sickness and pain, and despite Sister Marie-Thérese (Gladys Cooper) repeated harassment... This nun couldn't believe in her... She always wanted a proof...

Jennifer Jones is superb as the honest girl who declares that she is not very brilliant, but who never hesitates from her insurance of a miraculous contact...

Henry King's sensitive direction is marked by energy and interest, maintaining a steady clear vision on the heart of the story and its characters...

Alfred Newman's highly music is tender and spiritual...

I highly recommend this beautiful movie... And for the readers who are interested in Bernadette's story, I add that the town of Lourdes, situated at the foot of the Pyrénées, southwest of Toulouse, becomes a pilgrimage town... The underground spring in the grotto, revealed to Bernadette, was declared to have miraculous qualities... And since then this 'healing place' becomes a major pilgrimage center for sick or disabled multitudes...

Bernadette was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1933... Her feast day is February 18, in France and the chapel of the St. Gildard Convent at Nevers, contains her holly body...

"For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation will suffice." Thus, 20th Century Fox made clear it's stance on the incident involving a poor ignorant peasant girl from the western Pyrenees who one early spring witnessed a vision of a "beautiful lady". Fox decidedly erred in favor of Bernadette's 'marion apparition'. But it wasn't because the mammoth studio had gone all pious suddenly. It's that the demographs showed that a vast number of potential audiences across the country had for the longest time gone untapped. The Catholics. What's more, the time seemed right to bring out the religious angle in a time of war. We looked to God for peacetime but raking in hefty profits at the boxoffice for such a sacred cause wasn't a bad idea either. Fox found their inspirational story from a most unlikely source who's own true-life story would have made a compelling screenplay. Franz Werfel , an orthodox Jew, had taken flight from the Nazis. He needed desperately to be reunited with his wife in America by seeking out those who would help along the way. Stopping to rest in his escape in Lourdes which bordered occupied France and neutral Spain, he found the people very sympathetic, hiding him from the Germans until he was given safe passage to the US. It is in Lourdes that he learned of Bernadette Souibirous and made a promise to God that if ever he should leave Europe alive, he would tell Bernadette's extraordinary story. It must've been a case of 'from Werfel's lips to God's ears' because that's just exactly what happened. In preparing the galleys for his book on Bernadette's account, the suits at Fox got wind of it and bought the rights to the film even before the publisher had the book on the stands which would become an enormous best seller in 1943. This was Jennifer Jones first leading role in a major film and few of us, I believe, could deny that her sensitive portrayal was nothing short of a miracle. A convincing harrowing portrayal of a pious ingenue without ever once being mawkish. Now that's walking a tight rope between instinct and skill. The rest of the cast is uniformly fine especially Anne Revere as Louise Soubirous (whose brilliant career would run afoul of the House Commitee for Un-American Activities, labeled a communist sympathizer). As for the real-life Bernadette, she was canonized in 1933, the same year it was decided to remove her remains to Never. Something even more startling however is that when her remains were disinterred some seventy-five years after her burial, she was found virtually in tact an incorruptible. Needless to say, the Church had all the justification it needed in declaring her a saint. And to this very day many who 'believe in God' make pilgrimages to the little grotto where the vision took place and the spring which brought about so many miraculous cures. There is in all this an interesting bit of irony though. The uncredited role of the 'beautiful lady' went to Fox contract player Linda Darnell who would have a brief but successful career playing 'bad girls'.

Having just gotten back from Lourdes, I am amazed at how accurately the sets were for this film. Since it was made in 1943, it is impossible that it was shot on site (and most films weren't in those days). The grotto and the setting in the town were just as it is today. Even the souvenir shops are the same!

In 1858 Lourdes, a young girl causes an unintentional furor after she claims to have seen a holy vision in an unkempt grotto and travels there every day to pray. Lovely Jennifer Jones is perfect in the lead, bolstering an occasionally wayward narrative which spends far too much time on the town-naysayers and atheist politicos who think young Bernadette should be locked away. Jones, who spent the rest of her career trying to convince people she really wasn't the saint this film painted so vividly in our memories, won a well-deserved Oscar as Best Actress. Supporting performances by Anne Revere, Charles Bickford, and Lee J. Cobb are also fine, though Vincent Price's snippy skeptic doesn't allow him anything fresh to do. *** from ****

David Selznick was captivated by Jennifer Jones when she appeared in his New York office with her two small boys. Married at the time to Robert Walker Selznick became obsessed with Jennifer Jones (whose real name was Phyllis Isley). Selznick placed her under contract and loaned her to 20th Century Fox for her first movie role under his stewardship the Song of Bernadette (it should be noted that Jones made to films for Republic under her real name before Selznick crafted her image and made her an international movie star.

Henry King directs this film beautifully and Jones gives an outstanding performance as the meek Bernadette. I recommend this film for its artistry and also because of its deep reverence.

Only in Hollywood! Linda Darnell who was Darrell Zanuck's mistress plays the Virgin Mary.

Jennifer Jones plays Bernadette Soubirous, the young girl who claimed to see the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. I must say right up front that I am not religious at all. Yet I have been moved by religious films, notably The Passion of Joan of Arc and The Gospel According to Matthew. Obviously both are foreign films. Frankly, I can't think of any Hollywood films offhand that I believe tackle religious matters very well. Pretentious of me? I don't know, maybe. I just think that Hollywood is way too in awe of it. I don't necessarily need the style to be skeptical, just muted. In The Song of Bernadette, there's no doubt whatsoever whether the girl is seeing the Virgin Mary or not (hilariously played by a pregnant Linda Darnell, which, as much as I like her as an actress, is undoubtedly blasphemy, even to an atheist like myself). Everyone who believes Bernadette is a wonderful person. Those who doubt her are mean, though some of them are forgiven by accepting her later on. The worst case of this is Vincent Price's character. You can see the horror movies in his future in this performance. The real-life person he plays, Vital Dutour, was a devout Catholic. As he's the big baddie in this movie, he's made into an atheist. Okay, I should just suck it up. The film itself isn't too bad. It's well directed by Henry King, and very well shot. I wasn't that impressed with Jennifer Jones. This was her first performance under that name, though she had made several films as Phyllis Isely previous to this. She won the Oscar. Ingrid Bergman should have won for Casablanca that year, but instead she was nominated for For Whom the Bell Tolls. She still should have won. Bergman turned a completely useless character, the only flaw in Hemmingway's otherwise masterful novel, into a flesh-and-blood human being. Jean Arthur in The More the Merrier also deserved it more (I haven't seen Joan Fontaine in The Constant Nymph or Greer Garson in Madame Curie). Jones is okay, but her little kid act gets monotonous fast.

This is a true story. Why do I say so? Its evidence located and found in all the newspaper archives in this and surrounding towns in that time. Thousands of local retold accounts come together here.

Franz Werfel, a Jew, escaping from the Nazis was pursued across Europe and delayed just short of fleeing to freedom across the Spanish border. He laid low in a small border town at the foot of the Pyranees Mountains, unable to cross for all the border closures by Nazi sympathizers. He knew nothing of a great story which took place some 85 years earlier [1858] in the little town in which he was in hiding known as Lourdes. Franz learned of this piece of local history while staying in Lourdes, and made a pact with God, that if he were made able to cross into Spain, and henceforth make passage to America, he would write this story and make it known throughout the world.

Soon he found a way to the United States, and within a few weeks, he had begun his historical account, meticulously researched. His book is titled: "The Song of Bernadette." The movie does copious justice to the book. See it. You'll love the message of faith. Heaven is powerful, and we are God's children.

There are parts of this film which are really excellent. Jennifer Jones captures some innocence and purity, that has a very spiritual quality - quite rare to see in films. As the film goes on, for me, it loses its magic somewhat, especially as the plot line increasingly diverges from what actually happens. Some elements of film are more fiction than fact, which does detract, for example the supposed romantic interest between Bernadette and the elder boy. The film also gets increasingly cloy and predictable, especially with rather wooden. Yet, it is still very much worth watching, especially the first half. It is also quite atmospheric of nineteenth century France. If you enjoyed this film, I recommend learning more about the real life of St Bernadette, which you can find through books, such as St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879 (Paperback) by Francois Trochu

So many accolades have been awarded this film for its total productional excellence, that I would like to take a different approach. The problem I have with it is its philosophy, particularly as expressed by the ending. When Bernadette is asked to show a sign of her spiritual worthiness, she lifts a portion of her habit to (presumably) show her physical affliction. The inference is that human suffering is a prerequiste to metaphysical enlightenment. It suggests that one must sacrifice in order to achieve salvation. That thesis is not, in my opinion, a universal truth, only a fervent opinion to buy into. Yet, because of the power of drama, and particularly this vivid enactment, this philosophical proposition is conveyed with enormous conviction. It is difficult to laud this work unqualifiedly when such a dubious and questionable philosophy is presented as part of the story's climax. I am not at all certain that placing another human's value above that of one's own self and acting this value out accordingly (as in a sacrifice) is an irrefutalbe act of universal truth, as proposed by "The Song of Bernadette."