Nun's Story, The (DVD)

The Nun's Story is the true story of Marie-Louise Habets, who entered a convent in Belgium in 1927 and was laicized in the middle of the Second World War. She undergoes the strict spiritual formation of a nun, spends years in missionary work, has a nearly-miraculous cure from TB in the Congo, only to find that she cannot reconcile her religious obligations to her sense of medical duty, and her Christian requirement to love her enemy with an atavistic loathing of the Nazis. It needs to be emphasized that the story takes place in a different cultural and temporal milieu than today's. For one thing, the idea of bringing the "benighted savages" of the Congo to Christ as a way of "improving" them has now become very outmoded, as has the whole idea of colonialism. Times, and the Catholic Church, have changed a good deal since Sister Luke became a religious. Only the most reclusive, contemplative orders today insist on the kind of spiritual exercises described in the book. Vatican II changed a lot. Correspondingly the number of young women entering convents has dropped dramatically. At the time the film was made, the Vatican was quite hostile to it, and yet the film is highly spiritual, and Sister Luke's struggles are actually a marvellous exposition of the true Christian and highly spiritual personality. Some have written that they would have liked a "happier" ending, with Sister Luke marrying Dr. Fortunati, or "rediscovering" her faith. In the event, in reality, neither happened. Ms. Habets was discovered by the author of "The Nun's Story" in a displaced persons' camp, where she was nursing the inmates, and the two women lived together thereafter--Ms. Hulme, the author, eventually converting to Catholicism. That indicates to me that "Sister Luke" never lost her faith in God, but only in the way the convent insisted one approach Him. In my opinion, she was a highly religious person. I think the film is faithful to the book, if not as detailed. Audrey Hepburn always thought it was one of her best films--although she is reported to have said that she should have insisted, to show the passage of time, that her hair have some grey in it when she left the convent. I'm Jewish, but this film has always been very inspiring to me, maybe because I'm a nurse as well, and understand the vocational aspect of my profession. Audrey Hepburn is supported by an excellent cast of fine British repertory actors. I wish the film would come out in DVD.

This film is a beautiful portrait of devotion and love for Our Lord. Historically accurate as far as I can tell. The story moves quickly even though it is long. I will watch again.

Based on a true story, I absolutely love this movie and I've also read the book. It is not an action movie, but it does pick up a bit when the Nun (Audrey Hepburn) makes her way to ... some place (no spoilers from me.) It is a sad, uplifting, frustrating, story from the point of view of the Nun during a tumultuous time in our history. Some of the dialog may be seen as not quite p.c. but the movie (and the book) are products of the time and should be considered in that light ... should be considered as something we can ALL learn from. It suffers only from not being able to use the entire story from the book ... which, I suppose many movies based on books usually suffer from as well. Nowadays, we have episodic/limited series which would have been a great way to tell "The Nun's Story." It does follow the book ... dare I say ... religiously, but some parts are compressed and some are omitted to keep the movie run time down. I liked the music and the scenes from various places are breathtaking. One of Audrey Hepburn's favorite roles and a great movie !

The Nun's Story was a high point in Audrey Hepburn's career. Her partnership with the superb director, Fred Zinnemann, a profound script, terrific performances by Dean Jagger, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, and Peter Finch, and Franz Waxman's beautiful score result in an understated, powerful film. Hepburn's Sister Luke, radiantly beautiful wearing no makeup and in a nun's habit for most of the film, will break your heart. Her transition from a young Belgian woman who joins a convent so she can fulfill her dream to become a nurse into the rigid, harsh lifestyle bonds the viewer to Sister Luke and her draining, painful 10-year inner struggle to suppress her human desires and reach spiritual perfection. The bluray transfer is beautifully done. But I was very disappointed that it doesn't contain any bonus features. The Nun's Story richly deserves an audio commentary or a mini documentary about the film. It's a big let-down, but the bluray looks and sounds so great that Hepburn fans should add this to their collection.

Ein Klassiker. Unbedingt anschauen.

Grande interpretazione dell' attrice

Film que j’avais vu dans ma jeunesse Et que j’ai eu grand plaisir à retrouver j’ai remarqué que j’avais oublié certains passages!

Audrey Hepburn at her finest.A very interesting story.Top acting. Recommended John Bateman

Great classic with the still missed Audrey Hepburn (irreplaceable)