The Nun's Story

1959, Drama, 2h 29m

18 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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The Nun's Story Photos

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Movie Info

Willful and outspoken Gabrielle van der Mal (Audrey Hepburn), the daughter of a prominent Belgian surgeon (Dean Jagger), leaves her upper-class existence to become a nun. As Sister Luke, she is eventually sent to the Belgian Congo, where she excels as a nurse working with a skilled doctor (Peter Finch). However, her willingness to continue as a nun is challenged when her father is killed by the Nazis, and she no longer feels that she can maintain the neutrality of her order.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Fred Zinnemann
  • Producer:
    Henry Blanke
  • Writer:
    Robert Anderson, Kathryn Hulme
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono

Cast & Crew

Audrey Hepburn
Sister Luke (Gabrielle van der Mal)
Peter Finch
Dr. Fortunati
Edith Evans
Rev. Mother Emmanuel (Belgium)
Peggy Ashcroft
Mother Mathilde (Africa)
Dean Jagger
Dr. Van Der Mal
Mildred Dunnock
Sister Margharita (Mistress of Postulants)
Beatrice Straight
Mother Christophe (Sanatorium)
Patricia Collinge
Sister William (convent teacher)
Eva Kotthaus
Sister Marie (Sanatorium)
Ruth White
Mother Marcella (School of Medicine)
Niall MacGinnis
Father Vermeuhlen (Leprosarium)
Patricia Bosworth
Simone (postulant who changed her mind)
Barbara O'Neil
Mother Didyma (War-time Hospital)
Lionel Jeffries
Dr. Goovaerts (School of Tropical Medicine)
Rosalie Crutchley
Sister Eleanor
Colleen Dewhurst
Archangel Gabriel (Sanatorium)
Fred Zinnemann
Director
Robert Anderson
Writer
Kathryn Hulme
Writer
Henry Blanke
Producer
Franz Waxman
Original Music
Franz Planer
Cinematographer
Walter Thompson
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for The Nun's Story

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (3)

View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for The Nun's Story

  • Jan 23, 2014
    Audrey Hepburn is superb as the nun who undergoes a number of personal changes as a sister in an order of nuns. The ending is blunt in a positive way.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 01, 2012
    (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.
    Teresa S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 01, 2012
    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
    Tom E Super Reviewer
  • Feb 01, 2012
    So very long, but it was alright besides.
    Leigh R Super Reviewer
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