The Nun's Story

Plot synopsis:
Gabrielle "Gaby" Van Der Mal (Audrey Hepburn), whose father Hubert (Dean Jagger) is a famous surgeon in Belgium, enters a convent of nursing sisters in the late 1920s in the hopes of eventually becoming a missionary nursing sister in the Belgian Congo. After being given the name of Sister Luke and undergoing a postulancy and novitiate which foreshadow her future difficulties with the vow of obedience, she takes her first vows and is sent to a school of tropical medicine.
After passing high in her class but not without some spiritual conflict, after struggling with a request by Mother Superior to purposely fail her exam as a proof of her humility, she discovers to her disappointment that she has been assigned to go not to the Congo but instead to a mental hospital, where she assists with the most difficult and violent cases though resenting her tropical medicine knowledge going to waste there. One of these patients, a particularly violent schizophrenic (Colleen Dewhurst) who believes herself to be the Archangel Gabriel, tricks her into opening the cell door in violation of the rules and warnings given, and Sister Luke barely escapes from her to face the shame of her disobedience once again.
Nevertheless, she is eventually permitted to take her final vows and sent to her wished for post of the Congo. Once there she's disappointed to learn that she will not be nursing the natives, but instead will be the operating nurse for the segregated whites/European patient hospital. She develops a strained but professional relationship with the brilliant but atheistic surgeon there, Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch). Eventually, the strains of her work and spiritual struggle cause her to succumb to tuberculosis. Fortunati, not wanting to lose the ideal nurse that Sister Luke is and sympathetic with her desire to stay in the Congo, engineers an amazing cure for the TB, a condition which otherwise always requires being sent to medical care (in Sister Luke's case back to convalesce in Europe).
Some time after Sister Luke's return to health and work, Fortunati is forced to nevertheless send her back to Belgium as the only nurse qualified to accompany a VIP who has become mentally unstable. She spends an outwardly quiet but inwardly restless period of time at the motherhouse in Brussels before the superior general finally gives her a new assignment. Because it is clear that there is going to be a war, she cannot go back to the Congo, but instead becomes a surgical nurse at a local hospital.
There Sister Luke's long struggle with obedience becomes impossible for her to sustain, as she is forced into repeated compromises to deal with the reality of the Nazi occupation, including the fact that they have killed her father. She asks for and with difficulty is granted a dispensation from her vows, and is last seen changing into lay garb and quietly leaving the convent by a back door.

Tags: insanity, murder

Review:
Perched high atop the list of the finest American movies of the 1950's, Fred Zinnemann's "The Nun's Story" is an intensely beautiful and powerful film about a woman who undergoes a crisis of faith and, through her struggle, learns the importance of finding one's true path in life.
Based on the novel by Kathryn Hulme, the film tells the story of Gabrielle van der Mal, a Belgian woman who enters the convent in the 1930's, spends a brief period working as a nurse in the Congo, then leaves the order after years of intense personal struggle with herself and with God. Among American films of its time, "The Nun's Story" stands virtually alone in its ability and willingness to dramatize a conflict taking place in the deepest recesses of a character's mind and soul.Audrey Hepburn - sans makeup and the kind of fashion-plate wardrobe that had already become the hallmark of her movie career - delivers one of her richest performances as the strong-willed and fiercely independent Sister Luke, whose very psyche is torn asunder by the battle between her own innate, personal pride and a sincere desire to live a life of obedience to the Church and its rules.
Rounding out the excellent cast are Dean Jagger as Gabrielle's loving and concerned father, Peggy Ashcroft and Mildred Dunnock as two older nuns who help guide Sister Luke along the way, and the incomparable Edith Evans, simply astounding as the Reverend Mother who sees unwavering devotion to God and the Church as the one and only goal of a serious nun.Among other things, "The Nun's Story" is that rare film dealing with religion and spirituality that doesn't contain a single hokey or sentimental moment, that knows the difference between religion and religiosity, that is respectful without being unduly reverential, and that acknowledges the complexity of the human heart in matters of devotion and faith.
In a perfect blending of form and content, the film is every bit as thoughtful, subtle and contemplative as its subject matter, its mood greatly enhanced by the rich and beautiful Franz Waxman score that underlines the seriousness of the work.In addition to all its other fine virtues, "The Nun's Story" features one of the greatest final scenes and closing shots in motion picture history, a masterpiece of precision and understatement that demonstrates the kind of taste Zinnemman always displayed as a director.
The movie is made up of small, beautifully observed moments that, when put together, provide a powerful glimpse into the heart and life of a fascinating, caring individual who wants to do great things in the world but who realizes that the path she has chosen is not the one that will ultimately lead her to her rightful destiny.On every level of film-making, this is truly one of the greats..
That is the dilemma we witness here in this film through the life of a well-meaning and sweet-as-can-be Belgian lady: "Gabrielle van der Mal" who is renamed "Sister Luke" after completing her training as a nun in the 1930s.
The melancholy tale from the Kathryn Hulme book dealing with a young missionary working as a nurse during WWII and based on the novel of the same name, that told the story of the real-life "Sister Luke," Marie-Louise Habets .
Finely starred by a luminous Audrey Hepburn as a dedicated nun who subsequently comes to question her vocation , as she is struggling to reconcile her free spirit and philanthropic wishes with the religious rigors ; Hepburn chalked up another hit in this long but always interesting flick based on Kathryn Hulme's novel , being rightly adapted by screenwriter Robert Anderson .
Behind the camera is Franz Planar, who did such trifles as "Holiday" and "Letter from an Unknown Woman" as well as two Audrey Hepburn movies "Roman Holiday" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." If you have seen any of these (or all) you'll know how really perfectly they are filmed, with the camera in service to the story.The story, by the say, in "The Nun's Story" is very much the point, even beyond the moral.
An intense conflict between spirituality and humanity lies at the core of Fred Zinneman's excellent adaptation of Katherine Hulme's "The Nun's Story." Young Gabrielle enters the convent and, as Sister Luke, strives to attain the difficult qualities of sisterhood, but at the same time her talents and skills at medicine and research pull her in another direction.
Peter Finch and Dean Jagger are solid and effective as, respectively, Dr. Fortunati, who works with Sister Luke in the Congo, and as Gabrielle's disappointed father.While "The Nun's Story" is comparatively long, the fascinating detail of the young nun's years as a novice, medical student, asylum aide, missionary, and hospital nurse in Belgium and the Congo during the 1930's is engrossing and tastefully filmed by Fred Zinneman.
The image of water gradually sharpens the reflections of objects above...as soon as we get to know the leading character of NUN'S STORY, it is not hard to predict that it is all going to be an involving, mesmerizing viewing experience - yet, nothing for the vast majority of audience.In the eyes of her father, Dr Van Der Mal (Dean Jagger), our protagonist - young Gabrielle (Audrey Hepburn) is not really a strong willed girl obedient to the bells.
The film is worth viewing, apart from Ms Hepburn masterful achievement, for the sequence alone.The supporting cast include some solid performances from Peter Finch as choleric but caring Dr Fortunati, Dean Jagger as wonderful Dr Von Der Mal, Gabrielle's father (what a brilliant father that is who says: "I don't want to be proud of you; I want you to be happy!") and the sisters are uniquely memorable (you will never mix the characters due to their specific features underlined): Peggy Ashcroft as Mother Mathilde, Edith Evans as Mother Emmanuel, Rosalie Crutchley (note Acte from QUO VADIS) as Sister Eleanor.
The cast is led by Audrey Hepburn, in the lead role.Despite having been nominated for eight Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Cinematography Color, Best Soundtrack and Best Editing), this film has been ignored by people over the last few decades, which makes it probably one of the most unknown movies in Hepburn's career.
Keep track of time is very important to understand the film, which passes through in the end of World War II, and also helps to understand one thing that the film doesn't say but any person will notice quickly: the way of life that the nuns of this film lead fell into disuse for decades ago, due to the massive modernization that the Catholic Church suffered.The script is excellent, though not (as some people think) a true story.
You will see the brilliance of Audrey Hepburn's performance as she portrays Sister Luke's struggle to live for herself and for God. This is a great movie!
The incomparable Audrey Hepburn brings great depth to the role of Sister Luke, as she strives to keep her convent vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in a world shattered by World War II.The film opens as Gabrielle Van der Mal, a headstrong girl, parts from her devoted father (a physician) to begin a new life in the convent, where she is renamed Sister Luke.
That doesn't take a bit from it's excellence and entertainment value.This is an utterly fascinating story of a young nun (Audrey Hepburn), and a non-believing doctor (Peter Finch).
The parade of other persons in and out of Sister Luke's life works very effectively, both in developing her character and in depicting what her chosen lifestyle is like.The story is completely serious, yet never overly heavy, and it treats the characters and their beliefs respectfully - quite a rarity in films that deal with subjects like religion, war, and relations between different cultures.
As someone who isn't religious, I'm constantly mystified by those around me who so narrowly define their world and their place in it in religious terms, and think there's only one way to emulate the ideals our culture labels as Christian and yet are really just a guide to being a decent human being, no matter what your religious beliefs.Peter Finch has a small but effective role as a doctor who is disdainful of the church and contributes to Hepburn's crisis of faith, and Beatrice Straight is also memorable as a reverend mother who has a broader view of what it means to be a nun than many of the others with whom Hepburn comes in contact."The Nun's Story" was nominated for eight Oscars, but unfortunately went up against the "Ben-Hur" behemoth and so won nothing.
In many ways The Nun's Story is the ultimate Audrey Hepburn film.With the possible exception of Roman Holiday, in no other movie was the classic image of Hepburn -- elegant, quiet, beautiful -- so clearly portrayed.
But religious belief and personal ideal, the war,contradictions of different cultural areas can't be mediated, leave the convent finally, continue looking for the way in life.People live in reality after all , turmoil because of the society of the rise of the religion, but has witnessed cruel reality under faith, Sister Luke has not suspected the religious doctrine , not there is not animosity God, but examine oneself, is not this great ?
After this film is seen, make you become quiet and ponder.Director Fred Zinnemann's narration ability reaches very high realm, this is his best work.The inner world of Sister Luke is complicated, set against.Gabrielle van Der Mal that Audrey Hepburn was acted was an immortal role, the deepest and most complicated role.The performance of Audrey Hepburn is incredible and incomparable,one of the greatest performances in the cinema.Other actors' performances are all great.An unparalleled work..
The grooves are well worn now, but it's still a favourite.The music was just one of the beautifully crafted elements that made "The Nun's Story" such an extraordinary experience.You don't have to be Catholic to feel the power of this film about Sister Luke (Audrey Hepburn), a nun just before WW2 who desires to help others in a troubled world despite inner struggles with her faith.
The film also has a tremendous sense of spirituality with fascinating sequences of convent and church ritual.Although the crisis of faith suffered by Audrey Hepburn's character forces her out of the order, the sense of people living life on a higher plane comes through with denial of self and service to others their driving motivation.Audrey Hepburn lives and breathes Sister Luke.
Peter Finch, another star with presence, nails his role as the challenging Doctor Fortunati.I always thought the story was true, but now know that although it is a work of fiction, it was based on the life a woman who did experience the things depicted in the film."The Nun's Story" has a number of scenes that leave a lump in the throat: Sister Luke on the train leaving the Congo, and that deafening silence as she walks away from the convent finally broken by a couple of notes of Waxman's inspired score and the tolling of a bell.The film came out decades before we became aware that some in the clergy had betrayed their positions of trust.
That being said, it is not just about the nuns and their order, it is a complex study about political issues in the Congo at that time, the effects of World War II, and a young woman in Brussels, Sister Luke who is raised by her esteemed surgeon father, but wants more and takes it upon herself to join a convent in service for the Congo.The photography when she first visits the convent are beautiful.
The Nun's Story is a wonderful film, and gets my vote as not only director Fred Zinnerman's best movie but one of Hepburn's best roles.
I wanted to become a missionary priest after seeing the film.In my opinion, Ms. Hepburn was robbed of the Academy Award in 1959 by Simone Signoret in "Room at the Top."  Audrey's performance in "The Nun's Story," had Oscar written all over it.
Audrey Hepburn was simply outstanding in 1959's "The Nun Story," and should have received the best actress Oscar for it hands down.The first part of this outstanding film is devoted to what a woman must go through in the process of becoming a nun.Miss Hepburn enters the convent as Sister Luke and her calling is to aid others in the field of medicine.
It also follows the book extremely accurately - some incidents are removed to save time but little is altered, as is regrettably common when novels make it onto the big screen.Audrey Hepburn is wonderful, expressing a huge range of emotions with only a slight change of facial expression, Peter Finch highly convincing as the Surgeon in the Congo, and the supporting cast well-chosen.
The drama of the moment, the marvelous score by Franz Waxman, Audrey Hepburn's exquisite skills as an actress (this movie is I think her best dramatic performance) and Fred Zinnemann's direction, in my opinion, place this on the list of great cinematic moments.
The Nun's Story gives Audrey Hepburn a role to get her teeth into, as we watch Gabrielle du Val give up her family and her daydreams to become Sister Luke.
This is probably Hepburn's best role, giving her a varied set of circumstances and emotions as we watch the nun's journey through three countries and an inner struggle with the demands of her new life as a 'bride of Christ'.Peggy Ashcroft, Peter Finch, Colleen Dewhurst, and Edith Evans all have memorable roles in support, helping or hindering the sister as she makes her final decision on her future.
But this film has a lot to offer and each subsequent third is better than the last.Audrey Hepburn is Gabrielle van der Mal, a young Belgian woman who commits her life to Christ and becomes Sister Luke.
Directed by Fred Zinnemann, "The Nun's Story" is a beautifully realized film about a young woman who makes the difficult commitment to become a nun in 1930 Belgium.Hepburn is Gabrielle, whose father (Dean Jagger) is a well-known surgeon.
Instead they seem to have been replaced with delicate shots of trees against clouded skies – a Zinnemann trademark – as if to show Sister Luke's new state of mind; a concept of God as a natural force rather than an image to bow down to.The Nun's Story sees Audrey Hepburn in another of her many picture-carrying performances.
Hepburn is ably supported by Dean Jagger as her father, and Peter Finch as Doctor Fortunati, two strong but unobtrusive performers anchoring the different halves of the narrative.The Nun's Story is a monumental achievement because it allows us to understand a kind of life which most of us do not even have deep knowledge of, let alone consider subjecting ourselves to.
film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans and Peggy Ashcroft.
Based upon the 1956 novel of the same title by Kathryn Hulme, the story tells of the life of Sister Luke (Hepburn), a young Belgian woman who decides to enter a convent and make the many sacrifices required by her choice.
The film was nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Audrey Hepburn).Zinnemann's drama depicts the spiritual tug of war of a young nun, beautifully played by Audrey Hepburn, between adherence to vows of chastity and obedience and rebellion against those values for her self-fulfillment.
Much is made of Audrey Hepburn and Colleen Dewhurst's great performances, but it's a pleasure to see Patricia Collinge, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Dean Jagger and Barbara O'Neill, among so many others.This film, above all others, gives one a true understanding of what it was like to enter a convent between the wars in Europe.I can't wait for it to finally come out on DVD..
THE NUN'S STORY is a truly perfect work but not one that is mentioned in the same breath as other classic films from great directors like Fred Zinneman and star Audrey Hepburn.
This is, without a doubt, the greatest "nun" movie of all time with an extra added bonus of the mesmerizing performance by Audrey Hepburn.I remember seeing this film as a young boy, coming home from school and watching the "Early Show" at 4:30 in the afternoon.
I still watch the VHS copy I have every once in a while because I do place "The Nun's Story" on top of my list of the greatest movies ever made.Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke, a nun who has a difficult time with the vow of obedience, gives a tour-de-force performance that leaves the viewer breathless.
Her loving father remembers her: 'If you ever decide this is not right for you, there's no sense of failure coming back home.' The film's first part focuses on the making of a Catholic nun as it follows the young Belgian girl, from the time she takes leave of her dispirited father to enter the rigorous Roman Catholic order, until her appearance as an experienced nursing nun, hopeful of following the medical vocation of her famous surgeon father...The story then moves to the Congo where God selects his moment to offer the most perfect alliance with each individual soul...
Fine performance by Peter Finch as the English doctor Fortunati, with whom Sister Luke is physically drawn to and must struggle with her feelings not only because she cannot give into her feelings for him but because Fortunati is a unapologetic atheist, Peggy Ashcroft as the cold, matriarchal reverend mother, Dean Jagger as Gabrielle's doting father who supports her decision to be a nun and even go off to the Congo for work that could be dangerous.
Director Fred Zinneman and actress Audrey Hepburn conspire to make a very belabored movie about a young woman entering and leaving the religious life in The Nun's Story.