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The Song of Bernadette

Play trailer Poster for The Song of Bernadette Released Dec 25, 1943 2h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 16 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

View All (16) Critics Reviews
James Agee TIME Magazine 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. Feb 27, 2018 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 2/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 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. Rated: A+ Jul 18, 2003 Full Review NZ Herald Staff New Zealand Herald A conscientious, dignified and moving film version of Franz Werfel's story. Nov 19, 2020 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Newcomer Jones is convincing, the supporting players are strong, and the premise is thought-provoking. Rated: 6/10 Aug 14, 2020 Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial The dialogue is impeccable, full of dignity and emotional and dramatic strength. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 13, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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stevie68a 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. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review William D 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/23 Full Review Leaburn O 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/05/23 Full Review Tony Beautiful cinematography and superb acting! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/05/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review david l A rare religious movie that really works, The Song of Bernadette is a powerful biographical tale fueled by amazing dialogue and immense emotional investment. The runtime was too bloated for this simple story, but the handling of it was quite sophisticated. The cinematography and art direction are mesmerizing while the performances from everybody involved were phenomenal. Consequently, it's one of the most underrated Best Picture nominees, a film that was nominated for no less than 12 Oscars and in spite of that is rarely talked about these days. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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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