The Nun's Story Reviews

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

So very long, but it was alright besides.

Audrey Hepburn stars in a based-on-true story of a woman who joins the religious outfit in order to pursue her dreams of helping people in Africa. Her problem lies in the fact that she's not allowed to have "dreams" or "aspirations". That's the constant struggle with Sister Luke. It's not lust or order or possessions. But she's an accomplished scientist and nurse and she struggles with her pride in those accomplishments. And her desire to put her scientific mind to work. This all goes against the rule of order of Nunnery Row.

If this was the only thing that was ever discussed in this movie - her praying and biting her frustrated lip - it would be a boring movie. It succeeds because the scenarios that the Sister is placed in find unique and challenging ways in showing her struggle. Not with faith in God; but certainly in the inhumane rites of being a nun.

The efforts in starting her studies, her time working in a sanitarium, her time in the congo, war in Europe. In all of these settings, she follows her head and her heart. What others would call God's voice, she is only taught to know as disobedience. Peter Finch as the surgeon she works under in Africa is especially useful. Because while the film never breaches any real romantic element between the two, he is still clear to her that her own individuality will keep her from being a successful nun. And that being a successful nun will keep her from being an effective medical practitioner.

The direction is effective but never quite as stark throughout the entire 2:30 as it is in its initial church locations, as well as the film's final scene. Also, I didn't see the need for the full run time. An extended illness may have been factual, but wasn't required. In the end, the film is not overtly inspirational- nor is it at all cynical. It's a very real portrayal of the line between right and righteous.

Audrey Hepburn excels, the supporting cast is stellar and Fred Zinnemann?s direction is outstanding. Excellent camerawork. It is long but it is never boring. Beautifully done drama, and believable presented.

audrey hepburn gives the performance of her career as headstrong nun sister luke. peter finch proves a formidable match for her as a doctor that challenges her belief in her faith.

I really didn't think it would be as good as it was when I first sat down to look at it. It is triumphant film for the fair lady.

talk about your religious epics...not quite as grandiose as certain Charlton Heston projects from the same period, but equally as engaging and detail-oriented. even as long as this film was, I thought the character development could have been a little bit stronger. like many classic religious pieces, the story and message of this film is both timeless and sorely lacking in cinema today. loved Hepburn as always, and it was also kind of fun seeing her getting back to her Belgian roots.

I'm really happy with Sister Luke's decision in the end. I probably would have been upset if she had chosen the other option... However, I am kind of disappointed with Audrey Hepburn's role though. She plays her role well, but this keeps her from having very much dialogue, which I believe is her best attribute. I enjoy the way she speaks, and the witty remarks she usually makes in her films, and that was taken away from her in this film.

Not as popular as some other Hepburn films and the clothing is not nearly as couture. But she still fills the screen with her sensitivity and boldness.

(1959 Director: Fred Zinnemann) Excellent role for Audrey Hepburn who won a BAFTA award for her portrayal of Sister Luke, daughter of a famous surgeon. Sister Luke just shortly prior to the start of World War II travels to Africa and becomes the surgical nurse assisting their Surgeon (Peter Finch-who won a BAFTA Best Actor nomination) whom she meets while assigned to a convent/hospital in the Congo Republic. Sister Luke replaces a nun who contracted tuberculosis. No antibiotics yet (pre WW II) so that nun was forced to return to Belgium, a better climate to improve her chances against TB. During her stay in the Congo, Sister Luke also contracts tuberculosis, but through the support and tenderness of the Congonese and her hospital sheovercomes it. The selfless devotion of those in her Catholic Order are admirable.

This film is a snapshot of an earlier time period portrayed convincingly by all. The film received nominations in 1960 for Academy Awards for best cinematography, best sound, best writing adapted screenplay and Golden Globe nominations.

A strong and harrowing portrayal by Hepburn. She sheds the glamorous visage of less is more make up and truly becomes the young girl struggling so hard to live a live of servitude to the lord. Only Audrey could still come off as such an ethereal beauty in a nun's outfit. Her inner doubts of self causes her to question her worthiness of being a nun. Over several years the ordeal becomes emotionally, spiritually, and physically demanding. It is quite a journey and the last scene is both poignant and painfully true.

Am I the only one who finds it comical that Audrey Hepburn went from Holly from Breakfast at Tiffany's to playing a nun?

Well, if you're interested in "a nun's story," this film tells you a lot about it. The story was about a nun's struggle with herself. I'd say it was "interesting" yet not quite fabulous.

Very good story of what a Nun went through to actually become one. I wonder if they still have to do all that? NOT FUN! A little drawn out but still good--this lost out to Ben Hur for Best Picture in 1959.

I've avoided watching this "The Nun's Story" for years. Came down with the flu and decided to watch it while bed-ridden. Amazing performance by Hepburn and a rather poignant insight into the tension that priests, nuns and religious brothers endure, especially the vow of obedience. I came away with a deep repect for Zinneman and for the cast in what I consider a top-drawer film.

This movie was way too long and very hard to get into!

Solid testament of the versatility of Hepburn's acting, and it delivers a strong message about virtue too

''There are not so many good Hollywood pictures about Christian spirituality, and some of them are just silly magic shows. But this picture, directed by Fred Zinnemann and adapted by the playwright Robert Anderson from a best-selling book by Kathryn C. Hulme, is a major exception. The story is based on the life of Hulme's lifetime companion Marie Louise Habets, a Belgian woman who took her vows in the early '30s. Habets' father was a prominent doctor, she'd had extensive medical training, and she bristled at the absolute obedience demanded by her order. She was pained to leave the Congo, where she felt that her expertise was most useful. When her father was killed by the Nazis she made the painful decision to leave her vocation in order to join the resistance. The power of this film lies in the fact that its central conflict is genuinely spiritual. We are taken through every stage of the rigorous demands of training for sisterhood, and the storytelling is clear, handsome, and carefully detailed-- you come away remembering the sounds of the morning bells, the texture of wooden doorways, the footsteps, the different parts of the nun's habits. And as the film proceeds, the spiritual conflict becomes increasingly acute. As a nun, do you owe your obedience to your order or to your conscience? And, is your conscience where your spiritual awareness truly lives, or is it within the observance of religious rituals? Audrey Hepburn plays Gabrielle, or Sister Luke; she is as delicately beautiful here as in any of her romantic pictures, and she gives a compellingly intelligent performance: you can feel her character trying to correct her own inner impulses as she moves from one trial to the next. The Nun's Story, like all of Zinnemann's films, is made with an exquisite sense of craft that is a thing of beauty in and of itself. A moving and, in the end, oddly haunting experience.'' - Martin Scorsese.

Ditto. Audrey cited that this was her favourite of her pictures. I'm inclined to say that it was indeed *perhaps* the best movie she did.

The Nun's Story is one of Audrey Hepburn's all-time best films and performances. While some people complain about the film being overly long (It's two-and-a-half hours), I didn't find a single minute of it to be boring. It was fascinating to watch her character become a nun through strict processes, battle her emotions and faith on a continuous basis, and her struggles as well. This film is powerful and gripping, as well as being emotional at times when her character struggles with her faith and life. This a great, underrated film that deserves to be seen more, and is also a prime example of how you make a good religious film.

Una joven (Hepburn), perteneciente a la clase media belga, ingresa como novicia en un convento. Tras profesar como monja, la hermana Luke es enviada al Congo a trabajar como enfermera en una misión. Para su sorpresa será destinada a un hospital para blancos, como ayudante de un cirujano.