Rating: 
Summary: Best Religious Movie
Review: I bought the video of "Song of Bernadette" about 15 years
ago. I wanted to have my own copy, without commercials, so I could watch it at any time I choose. It is a wonderful movie, very well done and most respectful in its treatment of the miracle that happened to Bernadette, the poor peasant girl. Jennifer Jones, in her academy award winning role, was just marvelous!
I could watch it over and over and never tire of it. It is my
favorite religious movie. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best
Review: Bernadette Soubirous' heart portrayed sincerely by Jennifer Jones. People of any faith should find Bernadette's adherence to the truth inspiring. What makes a saint, a mystic or a prophet? Is it miraculous powers and far reaching visions? Or is it the decision to love a single aspect of God completely, unconditionally and openly?Each of us must decide for him/herself. Enjoy this portrayal of love that continues to draws hundreds of thousands on pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.
Rating:
Summary: "For Those Who Believe, No Explanation is Necessary..."
Review: ...for those who do not, no explanation is possible." This title card at the beginning of "The Song of Bernadette" prepares us for what is to come in this magnificiently crafted depiction of the real-life drama of Bernadette Soubirous. This film has an extremely strong cast. One of my favorite scenes doesn't even include Jennifer Jones; it's when the agnostic doctor played by Lee J. Cobb makes his report to the mayor and his council. His description of questioning and examing Bernadette at the grotto demonstrates his own internal conflict between science and the faith he claims not to have. Vincent Price adds his usual sarcasm in just the right amounts to the mix as well. Ann Revere turns in an exceptional job as Bernadette's worn-out mother, struggling for some kind of dignity in the midst of the squalor the family find themselves in at the movie's start. The leading cleric of Lourdes is presented by Charles Bickford, who is skeptical of Bernadette, even telling her to ask the Lady for a specific miracle to be performed; when the miraculous spring appears he learns to curb his own pride. His best line is when he defends Bernadette against police who have come to arrest her, "Load well your guns, for your path lies over my dead body! Gladys Cooper gives us an almost inhuman performance as the nun who refuses to accept Bernadette's story. Her eyes have the cold intensity of a medieval statue, and she is just as unbending. She finally has one great scene when she rebukes Bernadette, and we understand what her problem is, that she cannot accept Bernadette's being chosen as the visionary when she the nun has observed every fast and mortification she can, only to have no tangible reward. And then, when Bernadette reveals her long secret physical illness, the nun recoils in horror, dashing off to the chapel to beg God's forgiveness. That conversion experience is probably the most powerful single scene in the movie. And of course, there's Jennifer Jones herself. If she hadn't been as good as she was, this movie would have suffered tremendously, excellent supporting cast notwithstanding. She conveys such childlike simplicity yet underlying it is the unshakable conviction that she sees what she sees. Not a false note in the performance. The one thing I would have changed with the movie is the apparition itself. I've learned from reading other reviewer's comments that the Lady is played by Linda Darnell--I'll check my copy later and see if I recognize her. However, were I to have made this movie, I wouldn't have shown the vision at all. This movie is about faith, and the ability of Bernadette to convince others about what she alone saw. In keeping with that opening title card about belief, I don't think the audience should see anything either. They too should be in the role of the townspeople: can you believe what this ignorant girl is telling you about the grotto of Lourdes? I don't know whether Jennifer Jones had anything to interact with when she was filming these scenes, whether Linda Darnell was in place or added later, but if we saw her talking to thin air, then we would have to decide whether she was a liar, a madwoman, or as the bishop puts it to Charles Bickford, "that most rare of beings". Watching "The Song of Bernadette" is always an emotional experience for me--I hope those who have yet to see it will share that sentiment.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie
Review: I am a protestant believer! However, I saw this movie one summer in the early 1960's. I was moved to tears than, as a child. I saw it again in 1998, while I was recovering from a collasped lung. I was moved to tears again, and my faith was strengthen. I believe in miracles! I believe that this young lady had a special visit. I also believe that we entertain strangers unaware today! Many angels visit believers all the time. I was moved by Bernadettes conviction to tell the truth, despite the suffering, and embarassment. What a wonderful testimony of faith and belief. I can not wait to own this video, and share with my children.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritual
Review: After visiting Lourde's in France, I think is the next best thing. I dont have the word's to express myself, all I can say is to watch it
Rating:
Summary: The greatest movie of all time
Review: To me, without any doubt, this is the best, the most moving, and the most influential movie ever made. The movie changed my life. I first saw it in the 1960's when it would play on local stations in Washington D.C. about twice a year. I now own the video and frequently purchase it for others. I visited Lourdes several times and the thoughts and scenes from the movie come to my mind every time and often have moved me to tears. Lourdes is still a place of miracles and profound adoration from millions of visitors a year. North of Lourdes in the town of Nevers, Bernadette's body, uncorrupt, can still be seen in a glass sarcophagus, in the chapel of the convent where she lived her last years and died. Purchase this video for a friend or a loved one or a child especially if they are in trouble. The more you watch the film the more you will be moved.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent movie, but...
Review: This film is an excellant film in regards to cinematography and acting, but it should only be viewed by those capable of sitting through it's religious and ultimately disturbing view of reality.
Rating:
Summary: Uniquely successful movie about a unique event
Review: It is interesting to read the customers comments about this fine movie and to realize how many of them, including myself, have seen this film several times. It isn't a picture one would think would take repeated viewings (because it is so intense and the subject matter is so unusual) and yet it does, again and again! How I wish more moviemakers tackled such difficult material with so much genuine fervor, great talent, and -- what is most remarkable! -- without any apologies about the sincerity of the presentation! Even with its minimal flaws, it is truly a wonderful motion picture! I eagerly await its arrival on DVD as the black and white cinematography is gorgeous! For those who may not know this, the body of Bernadette was exhumed three times and her body was found to be uncorrupted. Bernadette was never embalmed so this fact becomes quite an event in itself. Bernadette's body now lies in a glass coffin in the convent in which she died, and may be viewed there. After the final exhumation the nuns covered the body with a very thin coat of wax to help further preserve it. Bernadette, in her nun's habit, appears as if sleeping, her features completely life-like and without the deformed mummification one would expect. Whether this is another "miracle" may be debated, but I find it singularly amazing that this simple peasant girl continues to amaze the world, even so many years after her death.
Rating:
Summary: MIRACULOUS
Review: A beautifully made film which is based on the novel by Franz Werfel. Bernadette Soubirous reportedly saw the vision of MARY in a grotto in Lourdes, France while collecting water in 1858. Never guilty of superficiality, this movie is beautifully lit and the acting is genuinely inspired. The Virgin Mary is seen played by a very young Linda Darnell. Jennifer Jones so impressed the Academy with her performance (her film debut) that she garnered the Oscar; Charles Bickford is excellent in his playing of the Dean and the now nearly forgotten Harry King directed the film with masterly and exquisite expertise; his films are rarely revived today, yet he should be remembered for his masterpiece:"To those who do not believe, no explaination is possible,- To those who believe, no explaination is neccesary".
Rating:
Summary: profoundly moving
Review: This film is deeply inspiring, and not even the maudlin, 40s type string arrangements and sentimentality can diminish its power. I am not a great movie lover, but this is it, and can be seen any number of times without losing impact. Only Dreyer`s "Passion of Joan of Arc" hovers above this masterpiece inthe pantheon of films.
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