A Canção de Bernadette (1943)

A young girl claims to have seen a divine vision, which prompts both a religious phenomenon and extreme skepticism.

Director:

Henry King

Writers:

George Seaton (screenplay), Franz Werfel (novel)

Stars:

Jennifer Jones, Charles Bickford, William Eythe

Won 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

In 1858 France, Bernadette, an adolescent peasant girl, has a vision of "a beautiful lady" in the city dump. She never claims it to be anything other than this, but the townspeople all assume it to be the virgin Mary. The pompous government officials think she is nuts, and do their best to suppress the girl and her followers, and the church wants nothing to do with the whole matter. But as Bernadette attracts wider and wider attention, the phenomenon overtakes everyone in the town, and transforms their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

france | visions | church | apparition | suffering | 

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Taglines:

Greatness No Human Words Can Describe...But Which Every Human Heart Can Feel...ANd Share!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Arthur Hohl and Fritz Leiber are listed in reference books as having appeared in the film, they are nowhere to be found in the final release print.

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Goofs

When Bernadette and the other girls go to gather wood, the other girls cross the stream after removing their shoes and socks, at the same time telling Bernadette not to wade in the stream because the water is too cold and she is sickly. Later, she does, and the water is warm. All three are barefoot. However, when they grab their bundles of wood to run home, Bernadette has her shoes and socks back on.

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Quotes

Bishop of Tarbes: The Commission can render only one of three decisions. First: "You're an impostor, little Soubirous. Away with you to a home of juvenile delinquents". Second: "You're a madwoman, little Soubirous. Away with you to an asylum". Third...
Peyramale: "You are the rarest of mortal beings, little Soubirous".

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Crazy Credits

The opening titles include "For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible."

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Alternate Versions

The Spanish-language version (available on the DVD) does not use the Academy Award-winning Alfred Newman score. The entire score, except for two of the "vision" sequences, is replaced with music from an uncredited composer.

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Connections

Referenced in Vincent Price: Renaissance Man (2007)

User Reviews

One of the best movies I've seen.

I can not say anything bad about this movie. It held me spellbound for its entire length and it is a long one, 2 3/4 hours. My 4 year old son woke me up at 5:30am and, not being able to go back to sleep, I found this movie starting at 6am. I will forever be grateful to him for the interruption in my slumber. The acting, backdrop, sound track and content was wonderful. The look on Bernadette's face when she sees the beautiful lady was amazing. I cried a few times and wondered why, when people belive in God so much, they would doubt this young lady's vision. The innocence portrayed by Miss Jones was so moving and I am very happy to hear that Mary Bernard was chosen to be a saint. If you haven't seen this movie please look for it for you will not be disappointed.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

5 March 1945 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

A Canção de Bernadette

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

156 min 158 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1