The Song of Bernadette

Amazon.com

Jennifer Jones plays the legendary French peasant who claimed to have dialogues with the Virgin Mary at a Lourdes grotto in 1858. The script handles the visitations as an article of truth (Linda Darnell plays the Virgin), which helps move the drama forward, though much of the story concerns the conflicts that arise in the community after Jones is told the grotto contains healing waters. Made by Henry King (The Snows of Kilimanjaro), the film is gorgeous to look at and sensitively directed; and Jones (who won an Oscar for Best Actress) is radiant in the lead. Whatever one's religious persuasion, this is a strikingly handsome Hollywood production to be enjoyed. The film also earned Academy Awards for cinematography and score. --Tom Keogh

Description

The story of a peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, a poverty-stricken, pure hearted adolescent, who saw a vision, of a "Beautiful Lady" near her home town of Lourdes in 1858. The wondrous news spreads rapidly throughout France, leaving in its wake a variety of consequences: adoration, suspicion and greed among the people of Lourdes skepticism from the town doctor (Lee J. Cobb) charges of insanity from the town prosecutor (Vincent Price) threats of physical punishment, then support and guidance from the Dean of Lourdes (Charles Bickford), who finally becomes convinced that the miracle has, indeed, taken place. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Actress and Best Score, this true story is both first-rate filmmaking and an inspiring tribute to faith, courage and the human spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Truly inspirational and better than the novel..........2007-09-09

Here's a film that deserves high praise for every aspect of its production--writing, direction, acting, music, etc. Jennifer Jones gives the best performance of her career as the simple peasant girl who sees the Beautiful Lady in the grotto and sets in motion the story, based on Franz Werfel's best-selling novel.

I recently took a look at the novel and must say I found it laboriously detailed with regard to all the political events going on at that time in that region of France. The simple story was buried under so much clutter that it's wonderful to see how the film overcame all of this with a script that is concise and to the point--and yet, does contain some of the historical background that was so detailed in the book.

All of the performances are superb, the most outstanding being Charles Bickford as the Dean of Lourdes and Gladys Cooper, as a stern and unbelieving nun.

Alfred Newman's score is magnificent and now available in its entirety on CD (dual CD in fact), since it's an extensive score. Whether you are Catholic or not, your enjoyment of this movie is guaranteed if you enjoy a well-acted, well scripted film version of the legendary story. I have to report that this is one case where the film is much better than the novel in every way

A pure heart can see heavenly visions!.......2007-09-02

The life and story of Bernadette Soubirous is one of tradjedy and redemption all roled up into a mystery, I think to this day, which no one really fully understands.

Never at any time did Bernadette say she saw the "Virgin Mary"; which is made clear in the commentary section of this film. Who did visit her was more the same apparation the children of Fatima viewed it seems, but in this case "The Lady", as Bernadette called her, identified herself as "the immaculate conception", a form of abstraction taking on a personified or human form. The commentary makes it clear that not even Bernadette, to her dying day, fully understood the apparation she had received from heaven, which resulted in the famed "Lourdes" and the healings that came forth from the spring Bernadette helped bring forth out of the earth under direction of the Lady that appeared to her.

What this simple, innocent young 14 year old girl experienced from the Church and authorities of the time, I think would have sent most of us running in the other direction when it comes to persecution, with our hearts utterly broken. Yet she prevailed through it all. The message of redemption and love is so uplifting, you are totally mesmorized throughout the entire film.

Jennifer Jones' performance is magnetic in this 2 1/2 hour story, a movie time duration unheard of back in those days of making motion picture films. You really don't get bored watching this film at any time. If nothing else, this film is enough to inspire anyone walking through their own trials in life, not to give up hope and that miracles are not only possible, but more probable than most of us realize. You just never know when one will occur it seems.

In the book of Job, taken from the Holy Bible, it asks the quesiton "Who can count the number of your miracles Oh Lord; for they are numerous and many over the face of the earth." Still in the end, it really is the message behind the miracle, it seems, this story tells us to seek out, not the miracle itself.

This is simply great for the whole family, whether you are religious or not. Young children, especially, will enjoy this representation and rendition of the true to life story.

Song of Bernadette.......2007-09-01

Franz Werfel's fictionalized 1942 book, The Song of Bernadette, was made into this memorable motion picture in 1943, introducing Jennifer Jones, who plays the humble and innocent young visionary, Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin Mary in a Cova in Lourdes, France in 1858. In 1933 Bernadette was canonized a saint by the Catholic Church. Having enjoyed the book first and then having seen the movie, I continue to find this story of Bernadette a moving experience. Jennifer Jones received the Academy Award as Best Actress for her inspiring performance.The Song of Bernadette

DVD Performance re Amazon CD.......2007-08-28

I was excited to play the dvd as soon as I received it. However, I was dissapointed as it would not play in my DVD at home. I live in Ireland. The message came on my TV Error Code. I am still unable to play this film on my TV and can only play it on a computer.
The film itself and the service received from you was very good. However, I need to know why it does not play on the Television set.
Dissapointed customer.........

The Song of Bernadette.......2007-06-25

It is hard to overstate just how respectfully and reverentially director King handles the details of the Lourdes legend, in which the Virgin (played here by an uncredited Linda Darnell) is said to have appeared to a sickly peasant girl, through whom she conveyed her message of love. That's because he treats the story as fact, depicting Bernadette's divine encounters as wholly natural rather than fantastic. Jones is radiant as the scapegoated Bernadette, and won an Oscar for her effort. Price is wonderful, too, as the withering voice of reason. If you're in need of heavenly grace, lay hands on the ecstatic "Song."

Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh

Average customer rating:

A wonderful collection

Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
Starring: Julie Andrews , Bernadette Peters , Philip Quast , Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Michael Ball
Manufacturer: Well Go Asia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000JMKK7W
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful collection.......2007-07-19

"My Fair Lady", "Oliver", "Les Miserables", "Phantom of the Opera", "Cats", "Miss Saigon" all packed in one DVDs. My favourites include Jonathan Price as Professor Higgins singing "I've grown accustomed to her face, "You've got to Pick a Pocket or Two" from Oliver, "send in the clowns" by Judi Dench, "Oh! What a beautiful morning" from Oklahoma and the lovely melodies from Les Miserables. Though the performances were dated back in 1998, the star studded performances made a lasting impression nevertheless. The songs were enchanting melodies but it's the presence of the singers and the great chorus that maded this DVD truly special. And the line up of seven songs from "Les Miserables" highlighted the great work of Cameron Mackintosh. A wonderful treat.

The World's Greatest Concert of Hey, Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh

Average customer rating:

It is Great...no doubt...BUT...
What is the difference in the 3 dvds?

The World's Greatest Concert of Hey, Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh
Starring: Julie Andrews , Bernadette Peters , Philip Quast , Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Michael Ball
Manufacturer: Import
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0002V7RX0
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Customer Reviews:

It is Great...no doubt...BUT..........2005-04-23

IT IS IN CHINESE or some other ASIAN language! The MENU screens and CHAPTER TITLES are not readable! That is the only thing that chaps my "you know what" and there is NO MENTION of that fact when you are ordering it. I originally had the VHS version of the same title, but you know how tapes get after a while. I bought that from CIRCUIT CITY for $7.00! Now to pay $49.00+ for a version I cannot really read...c'mon! However, once you start playinf it, it all melts away and you begin to enjoy the music and theatrical numbers.

What is the difference in the 3 dvds?.......2005-04-22

Could somebody please tell me what the difference is between the 3 dvds listed on Amazon (other than the differences listed in the description). They all have different ASIN numbers and different prices. Is one better than the other? Thank you!

DVD:

DVD

DVD