The Song of Bernadette

1943
Approved
2h 36m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

7.8K

YOUR RATING

Jennifer Jones in The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous (later, Saint Bernadette), who, from February to July 1858 in Lourdes, France, reported 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Vincent Price played Vital Dutour, the Imperial Prosecutor who struggles with his own beliefs while investigating Bernadette's visions.

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Biography Drama Mystery

14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, living in a small town in the south of 1850s France, claims to have seen a divine vision, prompting extreme skepticism, concern from her family, and religio... Read all14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, living in a small town in the south of 1850s France, claims to have seen a divine vision, prompting extreme skepticism, concern from her family, and religious and political turmoil.14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, living in a small town in the south of 1850s France, claims to have seen a divine vision, prompting extreme skepticism, concern from her family, and religious and political turmoil.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

7.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 4 Oscars
- 8 wins & 8 nominations total

Trivia
Jennifer Jones turned 25 years old the night she won her Best Actress Oscar for this movie.

Goofs
One of the reports to the Commission appears to be dated February 31, 1860. However, this is not the case. The date is actually written as February 3rd, 1860. In the word "3rd", the letter "d" after the number "3" is clear. However, the letter "r" is written in such a way that it could be mistaken as the number "1".

Quotes
Mother Superior: Well, Doctor?
Dr. St. Cyr: Well, in addition to the large tumor on the knee, she has tuberculosis of the bone. She has never complained of pain?
Mother Superior: No. Has she?
Sister Marie Therese Verzous: [stunned by the news] She never mentioned it.
Dr. St. Cyr: I can't understand it. She's had this affliction for a long time, and the constant pain and suffering associated with this disease is almost too horrible to describe.
Sister Marie Therese Verzous: [Sister Marie Therese looks as if she had been struck a violent blow and walks off as if under a trance]

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."

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.

Connections
Featured in King of the Movies (1978)

User reviews100

Review

Featured review

9/10

A story of unrelenting faith

The 'Song of Bernadette' gives us (as viewers) a little insight into the life of one of the best known saints in the Catholic religion.'St Bernadette'. It was from Bernadette's efforts and deep faith, the spring of healing waters at Lourdes were given to us. From Our Lady and through Bernadette the spring started to flow.to this very day it continues to help the faithful who are sick and disabled.

A beautifully scripted film, it tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young French girl who was chosen above all others to bestow her eyes on the Mother of Christ. One day in a grotto in the province of Lourdes France she has a vision of Our Lady The Immaculate Conception. The Story follows her journey from poor peasant girl till she enters the convent.

One of the many reasons why I love this film is because of the sincerity and unrelenting faith one person can have, faced with so much doubt and ridicule shown by others. The performance of Jennifer Jones is flawless, proved in the fact she received an Oscar for her efforts. The other cast members were brilliant too; each individual character portrayed their role with conviction. So many wonderful actors; Anne Revere, Vincent Price, Charles Bickford, Lee J. Cobb and Gladys Cooper in support. The production, especially the set designs give a realism to the actual time period of France in the 1800's. Altogether this film accumulated 4 Academy Awards, and 3 of them unsurprisingly going to production; Cinematography, Art Direction and Best Musical Score. I give it a well deserved 9/10.