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The Song of Bernadette

Play trailer Poster for The Song of Bernadette 1943 2h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Based on the popular novel by Franz Werfel, this drama focuses on Bernadette Soubirous (Jennifer Jones), a young French woman who experiences vivid visions of the Virgin Mary. While many dismiss her claims, certain people, including the priest Dominique Peyramale (Charles Bickford), slowly begin to believe her. Eventually, Bernadette is deemed a saint, and becomes a nun at a convent, where she must deal with jealousy from others who resent her revered status.
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The Song of Bernadette

Critics Reviews

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James Agee TIME Magazine 02/27/2018
A remarkably good moving picture-an improvement on Franz Werfel's reverent novel about the French peasant girl who saw the Blessed Virgin and, with her help, discovered a miraculously healing spring at Lourdes. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 07/18/2003
A+
Based on the historical novel by Jewish author Franz Werfel, the beloved classic The Song of Bernadette stands head and shoulders over most religiously themed fare from Hollywood’s golden age. Go to Full Review NZ Herald Staff New Zealand Herald 11/19/2020
A conscientious, dignified and moving film version of Franz Werfel's story. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/14/2020
6/10
Newcomer Jones is convincing, the supporting players are strong, and the premise is thought-provoking. Go to Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial 09/13/2019
The dialogue is impeccable, full of dignity and emotional and dramatic strength. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia 04/15/2019
A beautifully told tale of a girl whose quiet devotion and determination shines through. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Isaiah Y Sep 23 Film of the year with one of Jennifer Jones' best performances See more David H Sep 21 Excellent movie even for non-believers like me See more stevie68a 01/28/2024 Jennifer Jones is perfect for this role, although it's a phony story. The title ought to be "The Lie of Bernadette". How in this day and age, can people believe in this nonsense? Where is this "virgin" today? Shouldn't she be performing miracles for children with terminal cancers? She can't, because she's imaginary. A well made production with good acting, but like watching "Cinderella". A fictional story. See more William D 06/07/2023 The famous French novelist Emile Zola once investigated Lourdes and literally saw a girl admitted to the baths with a horrible deformity that was alleged to have resulted from Lupus. He then watched her emerge, completely cured before his eyes. When asked for his opinion, he stated "If all the lepers in all of France were cured right before my eyes, I still would not believe." So you can see what we are up against. I saw this movie when I was a little boy, and it's poetry, dignity and austere beauty provided me with a seed of belief that has grown and never failed for my entire life. I owe a huge debt of gratitude. An amazing, life changing film. See more Leaburn O 06/05/2023 Overlong biopic of the woman who saw apparitions at Lourdes. Interesting to hear the history but it really was a strain to get through in the end. See more 02/11/2023 This classic film depicts the famous mystical events of Bernadette at Lourdes in France. Jennifer Jones plays the young Bernadette convincingly. For example, she innocently tells her inquisitors that the "Lady" informed her that she was "The Immaculate Conception" while not knowing what that means. The supporting cast is excellent as well. I also think that the film shot in black and white adds to the starkness of the events that took place there. The viewer is left with a personal decision to make. Either the events were true or a mass hallucination. As Franz Werfel is quoted as saying, "For those who believe no explanation is necessary, for those who do not believe none is possible. See more Read all reviews
The Song of Bernadette

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Cast & Crew

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Henry King

Director

Jennifer Jones

Bernadette

Charles Bickford

Father Peyramale

Gladys Cooper

Sister Marie Therese Vauzous

William Eythe

Antoine Nicolau

Vincent Price

Prosecutor Vital Dutour

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The Song of Bernadette

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Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the popular novel by Franz Werfel, this drama focuses on Bernadette Soubirous (Jennifer Jones), a young French woman who experiences vivid visions of the Virgin Mary. While many dismiss her claims, certain people, including the priest Dominique Peyramale (Charles Bickford), slowly begin to believe her. Eventually, Bernadette is deemed a saint, and becomes a nun at a convent, where she must deal with jealousy from others who resent her revered status.
Director
Henry King
Producer
William Perlberg
Screenwriter
George Seaton
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1943, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
2h 36m
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