The Nun's Story (1959)

93% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(5,171 ratings)

Audrey Hepburn stars in The Nun's Story as Sister Luke, postulant of a Belgian order of nuns. Though frequently disillusioned in her efforts to spread good will -- at one point she is nearly killed by a mental patient (Colleen Dewhurst) -- Sister Luke perseveres. Sent as a nurse to the Belgian… More Audrey Hepburn stars in The Nun's Story as Sister Luke, postulant of a Belgian order of nuns. Though frequently disillusioned in her efforts to spread good will -- at one point she is nearly killed by a mental patient (Colleen Dewhurst) -- Sister Luke perseveres. Sent as a nurse to the Belgian Congo, an assignment she'd been hoping for, Sister Luke is disappointed to learn that she will not be ministering to the natives but to European patients. Through the example of no-nonsense chief surgeon Peter Finch, the nun sheds her idealism and becomes a diligent worker -- so much so that she contracts tuberculosis. Upon the outbreak of World War II, Sister Luke tries to honor the edicts of her order and not take sides, but this becomes impossible when her father (Dean Jagger) is killed by the Nazis. Realizing that she cannot remain true to her vows, Sister Luke leaves the order and returns to "civilian" life. The Nun's Story ends with a long, silent sequence in which Sister Luke divests herself of her religious robes, dons street garb, and walks out to an uncertain future. There is no background music: director Fred Zinnemann decided that "triumphant" music would indicate that Sister Luke's decision was the right one, while "tragic" music would suggest that she is doing wrong. Rather than make an editorial comment, the director decided against music, allowing the audience members to fill in the blanks themselves. The Nun's Story is based on the book by Kathryn Hulme, whose depiction of convent life was a lot harsher and more judgmental than anything seen in the film. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Fred Zinnemann
Written By: Robert Anderson, Kathryn C. Hulme
Genres: Drama, Classics

On DVD: Apr 4, 2006
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Fred Zinnemann's production is a soaring and luminous film.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
In the role of the nun, Miss Hepburn is fluent and luminous.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
... on target and godlike.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A superbly restrained piece of filmmaking, with Zinnemann directing in simple, unadorned style and Hepburn giving a truly radiant performance.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Part of Warner's classic collection of films about spirituality and faith; the other films are The Shoes of the Fisherman and The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Zinnemann's drama depicts the spiritual tug of war of a young nun, beautifully played by Audrey Hepburn, between adherence to vows of chastity and obedience and rebellion against those values for her self-fulfillment
Tom Milne, Time Out
It's still a long haul (made no lighter by Franz Waxman's abominably insistent score) for anyone not committed to theological problems of faith, conscience and obedience.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Certainly doesn't offer the positive depiction of religious life common in 1950s Hollywood, but it's not an anti-religious or anti-Catholic depiction either.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Moving, controversial (for its time) religious tale starring Audrey Hepburn.
, Film4
Zinneman, an intelligent if dullish director, has avoided such obvious pitfalls in this adaptation of a factually based best-seller.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
One of Audrey's finest dramatic moments

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tom E

Having been raised in a Catholic School, this paints a pretty accurate pic of nuns -- I'm sorry she left, because she had more common sense than all the others
Leigh R

So very long, but it was alright besides.

Cast

            Audrey Hepburn as Gabrielle Van Der Mal

            Peter Finch as Dr. Fortunate

            Edith Evans as Mother Emmanuel Superior General

            Peggy Ashcroft as Mother Mathilde

            Dean Jagger as Dr. Van Der Mal

            Mildred Dunnock as Sister Margharita

            Beatrice Straight as Mother Christophe

            Patricia Collinge as Sister William

            Rosalie Crutchley as Sister Eleanor

            Ruth White as Mother Marcella

            Barbara O'Neil as Mother Katherine

            Margaret Phillips as Sister Pauline

            Patricia Bosworth as Simone

            Colleen Dewhurst as Archangel

            Stephen Murray as Chaplain

            Lionel Jeffries as Dr. Goovaerts

            Niall MacGinnis as Father Vermeuhlen

            Dorothy Alison as Sister Aurelie

            Giovanna Galletti
            
            Penelope Horner as Jeannette Milonet

            Errol John as Illunga

            Charles Lamb as Pascin

            Diana Lambert as Lisa

            Orlando Martins as Kalulu

            Ave Ninchi as Sister Bernard

            Richard O'Sullivan as Pierre Van Der Mal

            Frank Singuineau
            
            Jeannette Sterke as Louise Van Der Mal

            Molly Urquhart as Sister Augustine

            Eva Kotthaus as Sister Marie
See full cast