After leaving a wealthy Belgian family to become a nun, Sister Luke struggles with her devotion to her vows during crisis, disappointment, and World War II.
The Godzilla: King of the Monsters star picks his favorite sketch shows and the villainous origin story he can't wait to see.
Related News
-
From Lollobrigida to Gidget: Romance and Heartache in Italy
24 June 2017 | Alt Film Guide -
Five Days One Summer
17 October 2016 | Trailers from Hell -
Beautiful Dolores, Princess Anne, Merylish Mamie, and Olympic Jesse
03 August 2016 | FilmExperience
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Nun's Story (1959)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
The Children's Hour
(1961)
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
William Wyler
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Shirley MacLaine,
James Garner
Wait Until Dark
(1967)
Horror
|
Thriller
Director:
Terence Young
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Alan Arkin,
Richard Crenna
Love in the Afternoon
(1957)
Comedy
|
Crime
|
Drama
Director:
Billy Wilder
Stars:
Gary Cooper,
Audrey Hepburn,
Maurice Chevalier
Paris When It Sizzles
(1964)
Comedy
|
Romance
Director:
Richard Quine
Stars:
William Holden,
Audrey Hepburn,
Grégoire Aslan
Two for the Road
(1967)
Comedy
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Stanley Donen
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Albert Finney,
Eleanor Bron
How to Steal a Million
(1966)
Comedy
|
Crime
|
Romance
Director:
William Wyler
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Peter O'Toole,
Eli Wallach
War and Peace
(1956)
Drama
|
Romance
|
War
Director:
King Vidor
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Henry Fonda,
Mel Ferrer
Green Mansions
(1959)
Adventure
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Mel Ferrer
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Anthony Perkins,
Lee J. Cobb
Funny Face
(1957)
Comedy
|
Musical
|
Romance
Director:
Stanley Donen
Stars:
Audrey Hepburn,
Fred Astaire,
Kay Thompson
Sabrina
(1954)
Comedy
|
Drama
|
Romance
Director:
Billy Wilder
Stars:
Humphrey Bogart,
Audrey Hepburn,
William Holden
Roman Holiday
(1953)
Comedy
|
Romance
Director:
William Wyler
Stars:
Gregory Peck,
Audrey Hepburn,
Eddie Albert
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Audrey Hepburn | ... | Sister Luke (Gabrielle van der Mal) | |
| Peter Finch | ... | Dr. Fortunati | |
| Edith Evans | ... | Rev. Mother Emmanuel (Belgium) (as Dame Edith Evans) | |
| Peggy Ashcroft | ... | Mother Mathilde (Africa) (as Dame Peggy Ashcroft) | |
| Dean Jagger | ... | Dr. Van Der Mal | |
| Mildred Dunnock | ... | Sister Margharita (Mistress of Postulants) | |
| Beatrice Straight | ... | Mother Christophe (Sanatorium) | |
| Patricia Collinge | ... | Sister William (convent teacher) | |
| Rosalie Crutchley | ... | Sister Eleanor | |
| Ruth White | ... | Mother Marcella (School of Medicine) | |
| Barbara O'Neil | ... | Mother Didyma (War-time Hospital) | |
| Margaret Phillips | ... | Sister Pauline (medical student) | |
 |
Patricia Bosworth | ... | Simone (postulant who changed her mind) |
| Colleen Dewhurst | ... | Archangel Gabriel (Sanatorium) | |
| Stephen Murray | ... | Chaplain (Father Andre) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
In 1930, in Belgium, Gabrielle van der Mal is the stubborn daughter of the prominent surgeon Dr. Hubert van der Mal that decides to leave her the upper-class family to enter to a convent, expecting to work as nun in Congo with tropical diseases. She says good-bye to her sisters Louise and Marie; to her brother Pierre; and to her beloved father, and subjects herself to the stringent rules of the retrograde institution, including interior silent and excessive humbleness and humiliation. After a long period working in a mental institution, Gaby is finally assigned to go to Congo, where she works with the Atheist and cynical, but brilliant, Dr. Fortunati. Sister Luke proves to be very efficient nurse and assistant, and Dr. Fortunati miraculous heals her tuberculosis. Years later, she is ordered to return to Belgium and when her motherland is invaded by the Germans, she learns that her beloved father was murdered by the enemy while he was helping wounded members of the resistance. Sister ... Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Taglines:
Her Faith Remained Strong and True in the Face of Africa's Terrors! See more »Genres:
DramaParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 July 1959 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Historia de una monja See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$3,500,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$12,800,000Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1
Edit
Narrator: "He that shall lose his life for me shall find it. If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and come follow me." Each sister shall understand that on entering the convent, she has made the sacrifice of her life to God.
See more »
from "The Marriage of Figaro"
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as W. A. Mozart)
Played by Gabi and her father on the piano, and recurring throughout the film's score.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Sound engineer Oliver S. Garretson's final theatrical film. See more »Goofs
After Sister Luke is attacked by the Archangel after opening her cell door to give her a cup of water, the other nun consoles her by walking in and saying "I would have done the same thing" - without even knowing yet what Sister Luke had done. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Narrator: "He that shall lose his life for me shall find it. If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and come follow me." Each sister shall understand that on entering the convent, she has made the sacrifice of her life to God.
See more »
Soundtracks
Voi Che Sapetefrom "The Marriage of Figaro"
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as W. A. Mozart)
Played by Gabi and her father on the piano, and recurring throughout the film's score.
See more »
Contribute to This Page
On IMDb Freedive, you can catch Hollywood hits and popular TV series at no cost. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free!
Explore popular and recently added TV series available to stream now with Prime Video.
I think that this film contains one of Audrey Hepburn's strongest performances. The movie, however, is not for everyone. The movie has no gloss, no "this is purely for entertainment" message. This movie requires that you think and really watch the movie, otherwise the meaning is lost and thus, you will not like the movie. Others have said that this movie is "slow and boring", but watch the movie yourself. You will see the brilliance of Audrey Hepburn's performance as she portrays Sister Luke's struggle to live for herself and for God. This is a great movie! Please do not be discouraged by the implied "seriousness" of it!