IMDb >
The Song of Bernadette (1943)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Song of Bernadette (1943) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 19 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
April 1945 (USA) moreTagline:
Here is greatness . . . wonder . . . and majesty . . . no human words can describe!Plot:
In 1858 France, Bernadette, an adolescent peasant girl, has a vision of "a beautiful lady" in the city dump... more | full synopsisAwards:
Won 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations moreUser Comments:
One sublime scene moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| William Eythe | ... | Antoine Nicolau | |
| Charles Bickford | ... | Father Peyramale | |
| Vincent Price | ... | Prosecutor Vital Dutour | |
| Lee J. Cobb | ... | Dr. Dozous | |
| Gladys Cooper | ... | Sister Marie Therese Vauzous | |
| Anne Revere | ... | Louise Soubirous | |
| Roman Bohnen | ... | François Soubirous | |
| Mary Anderson | ... | Jeanne Abadie | |
| Patricia Morison | ... | Empress Eugenie | |
| Aubrey Mather | ... | Mayor Lacade | |
| Charles Dingle | ... | Jacomet | |
| Edith Barrett | ... | Croisine Bouhouhorts | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | Louis Bouriette | |
| Blanche Yurka | ... | Aunt Bernarde Casterot | |
| Ermadean Walters | ... | Marie Soubirous |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
156 min | 158 min (copyright length)Country:
USAColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #9317) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Netherlands:AL (2008) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:12 | UK:UFilming Locations:
20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USAFun Stuff
Trivia:
Franz Werfel's book was published in 1942. 20th Century-Fox wasted no time in snapping up the rights. It was the studio's most ambitious and, at $2 million, its most expensive production of 1943. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When the Lady asks Bernadette to wash herself in the spring, Bernadette digs a hole and smears her face and hands with dark black mud. Moments later as the onlookers mock her, her aunt and mother take her away and the mud is gone from both her hands, while only slight fingermarks of mud remain on her cheeks. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Song of Bernadette (1943) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Bells of St. Mary's | The Sound of Music | Full of Life | The Incredibles | The Nativity Story |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Biography section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |












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.