Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
"Journal d'un curé de campagne" (original title)

A young priest taking over the parish at Ambricourt tries to fulfill his duties even as he fights a mysterious stomach ailment.

Director:

Robert Bresson

Writers:

Georges Bernanos (novel), Robert Bresson

Stars:

Claude Laydu, Jean Riveyre, Adrien Borel

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claude Laydu	...	Priest of Ambricourt (Curé d'Ambricourt)
Jean Riveyre	...	Count (Le Comte)
Adrien Borel	...	Priest of Torcy (Curé de Torcy) (as Andre Guibert)
Rachel Bérendt	...	Countess (La Comtesse) (as Marie-Monique Arkell)
Nicole Maurey	...	Miss Louise
Nicole Ladmiral	...	Chantal
Martine Lemaire	...	Séraphita Dumontel
Antoine Balpêtré	...	Dr. Delbende (Docteur Delbende) (as Balpetre)
Jean Danet	...	Olivier
Gaston Séverin	...	Canon (Le Chanoine) (as Gaston Severin)
Yvette Etiévant	...	Femme de ménage
Bernard Hubrenne	...	Priest Dufrety
Léon Arvel	...	Fabregars
Martial Morange	...	Deputy mayor (L'Adjoint)
Gilberte Terbois	...	Mrs. Dumouchel (Mme Dumouchel)

Storyline

In Ambricourt, a young Priest (Claude Laydu) arrives to be the local parish priest. The community of the small town does not accept him, and although having a serious disease in the stomach, the inexperienced and frail priest tries to help the dwellers, and has a situation with the wealthy family of the location.

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Plot Keywords:

priest | stomach | parish | disease | wound | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

5 April 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Diary of a Country Priest

Filming Locations:

Château, Equirre, Pas-de-Calais, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Tobis-Klangfilm)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of Claude Laydu.

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Quotes

Curé d'Ambricourt: The simplest tasks are by no means the easiest.

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Connections

References Day of Wrath (1943)

User Reviews

Depressive, Human and Impressive

In Ambricourt, a young Priest (Claude Laydu) arrives to be the local parish priest. The community of the small town does not accept him, and although having a serious disease in the stomach, the inexperienced and frail priest tries to help the dwellers, and has a situation with the wealthy family of the location.

"Journal d'un Curé de Campagne" is a very depressive, human and impressive movie about faith, sin, religion, guilt, love and hate. The story is centered in a tormented and naive priest, very human and therefore having flaws inclusive in his character, who tries to help people of his parish through his best efforts. Suffering from cancer in the stomach due to alcoholism problem since his generation, he writes a journal where his feelings are shared with the viewers. The cinematography and the music score are simple, but very beautiful; the direction is perfect and the performances are stunning, highlighting Claude Laydu. I am not religious, but I liked this movie. I did not read the novel of George Bernanos, but in accordance with the information in the DVD, Robert Bresson changed the personality of the priest in his adaptation to the cinema, but reaching the same objective of the original character. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Diário de um Padre" ("Journal of a Priest")