Great Film Not to Be Missed!

This was not my first time watching The Song of Bernadette but this time I was impressed by aspects of its excellence I never really considered before. For one, I hardly ever talk about film scores but this one was so outstanding it deserves praise. It sets the tone right from the opening (there is not the usual 20th Century Fox fanfare) and highlights important moments at every turn. I also need to mention the sets. Of course they could not film on location in Europe as this was right during World War II but they created using California locations a very credible facsimile of a region of France.

Then there are the fantastic character actors such as Anne Revere. Lead actress Jennifer Jones gives a winning performance. She and the way the film is made really convince the viewer to Bernadette’s side, even for people who doubt the exact nature of the occurrences portrayed. The story is about a young French girl living in extreme poverty who beginning in 1858 began seeing and hearing visions of a beautiful lady who many came to believe was the Virgin Mary. She soon came up against authorities both religious and secular trying to force her to recant. Then the miracles started.

Of course I was mainly watching this time to observe the priceless Vincent Price. He played the Prosecutor who was one of Bernadette’s chief opponents. The character was written as a hardened skeptic, somewhat contrary to the real life personage, and his final scene in particular is poignant and touching.

The film gets a little long and talky in places but doesn’t drag much. It is a religious film but you don’t have to be Catholic or any other denomination of Christian to enjoy it. Highly recommended for all ages.