Reviews

This is, without a doubt, the greatest "nun" movie of all time with an extra added bonus of the mesmerizing performance by Audrey Hepburn.

I remember seeing this film as a young boy, coming home from school and watching the "Early Show" at 4:30 in the afternoon. I was a little annoyed that the movie was being shown in two parts over two days, but I loved movies and decided to commit to both days. That was over thirty years ago and I have not regretted my decision. I still watch the VHS copy I have every once in a while because I do place "The Nun's Story" on top of my list of the greatest movies ever made.

Audrey Hepburn as Sister Luke, a nun who has a difficult time with the vow of obedience, gives a tour-de-force performance that leaves the viewer breathless. She is almost impossibly beautiful, and much of her phenomenal performance is actually seen in her absolutely perfect facial expressions. Also giving the performances of their careers are Dame Edith Evans, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, and an almost unrecognizable Colleen Dewhurst as the "Archangel."

Do yourself a humongous favor - either rent or buy this movie today. You will not regret it!

This movie is one of the most wonderfully acted, breathtakingly beautiful films ever committed to celluloid. There is one performance in particular, that of Kathleen Byron as Sister Ruth, that is absolutely powerhouse. Her spiraling decline into madness is frightenly realistic and so compelling that it's difficult to take your eyes off of her.

Do yourself a huge favor: rent this movie. Better yet - buy it - so you can watch it again and again!

When I first ordered this movie I only had a vague idea of who Blessed Mary MacKillop was. After watching the film, I not only had a better understanding, but I admired her immensely.

Mary MacKillop was an innovator in that she was one of the first women to start a teaching order of nuns in Australia. In doing so, she did not believe in the separation of children according to their station in life. She also believed it was important to interact with and not just teach the children. Many of the towns people, as well as the Church itself, felt uncomfortable with some of Mother Mary's ways of teaching.

Her order, the Sisters of St. Joseph, grew rapidly and began to expand outside of the smaller areas of Australia. While this happened, the Church began a campaign against Mother Mary. Where she believed her order of nuns should remain autonomous, there were those in the Church who found her ideas threatening and there were plans underway to strip Mary of her autonomy.

I don't want to divulge any more information...you really do need to see this remarkable film to appreciate it. One nice touch is that the film is actually a movie and documentary combined. The phenomenal Lucy Bell portrays Mother Mary so convincingly that you begin to feel she isn't really acting.

Do yourself a favor. Rent or buy this movie and sit back and enjoy each frame. You will not be sorry you did!

Mike Rossillio