- Format: PAL
- Subtitles: Italian, Finnish, Spanish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, French, German
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- DVD Release Date: 9 May 2005
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0007RUSMQ
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 7,798 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Based on Franz Werfel's 1942 best-seller, this is an exquisite telling of the life of Bernadette Soubirous, who in 1858 at the age of 14 saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near the small village of Lourdes, where she lived with her family in abject poverty. Bernadette received much opposition from the atheistic town authorities, as well as initially from the clergy, but kept her faith in "The Lady", and it gave her a wisdom when questioned by the unbelievers that went beyond her natural understanding.
Jennifer Jones is superb as the simple Bernadette, and she tells the story with her eyes; there are many scenes where the camera focuses on her face, and one can tell what is happening by her expressive gaze. Director Henry King screen tested many actresses by placing a stick behind the camera, and telling them to look at it, and imagine the Virgin Mary...King said that Jennifer was the only one who "saw", while the others merely "looked".
The supporting cast is wonderful, with many standout performances; I especially like Charles Bickford as the Dean of Lourdes, Lee J. Cobb as Dr. Dozous, Anne Revere as Bernadette's mother Louise, and as a lifelong adversary, a prideful nun who is jealous of Bernadette's visions, the terrific Gladys Cooper.
Jennifer Jones is superb as the simple Bernadette, and she tells the story with her eyes; there are many scenes where the camera focuses on her face, and one can tell what is happening by her expressive gaze. Director Henry King screen tested many actresses by placing a stick behind the camera, and telling them to look at it, and imagine the Virgin Mary...King said that Jennifer was the only one who "saw", while the others merely "looked".
The supporting cast is wonderful, with many standout performances; I especially like Charles Bickford as the Dean of Lourdes, Lee J. Cobb as Dr. Dozous, Anne Revere as Bernadette's mother Louise, and as a lifelong adversary, a prideful nun who is jealous of Bernadette's visions, the terrific Gladys Cooper.
The film was a huge box-office success, as well as receiving critical acclaim, and was the most nominated film at the 1943 Oscars, with 12 nominations and 4 wins. It won for Best Actress, Best B&W Cinematography (Arthur Miller), Best Score (Alfred Newman), and Best Interior Decoration. The nominations were for Director, Editing, Picture, Screenplay, Sound, Supporting Actor (Bickford), Supporting Actress (both Cooper and Revere).
At 2 hours and 36 minutes, this is a film that is totally engrossing, and the time spent with it is very rewarding.
Cannonized in 1933, Bernadette's legacy continues to flourish; over 200 million people have visited the shrine, and though I have never been there, one of my few treasures is a "souvenir" cross that contains water from the spring at Lourdes (which continues to produce over 25,000 gallons a week), and proving that those in the film portrayed as wanting to commercialize the water from the site have succeeded beyond their expectations.
"For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible".
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In 1858 a young girl saw the Virgin Mary in a grotto outside Lourdes, in the French Pyrenees. Despite immense opposition from all those around her, the child remained faithful to the Beautiful Lady. Finally entering a convent, Bernadette died there in 1879 at the age of 35. Although her story is now known the world over and millions of pilgrims flock to the Grotto of Lourdes every year, what many people do not know is that the body of Saint Bernadette Soubirous remains entirely incorrupt, as lovely today as on the day she died. And I speak as one who has stayed in her convent more than once and gazed upon her.
This film tells the story of the life of Bernadette. Very faithful to the historical Bernadette and her story, the film makers have avoided sentimentality and religious fervour and produced a film which appeals to young and old, to those of religious convictions and those with none.
Made in 1943, the film stars the young Jennifer Jones in her first major role, and for which she deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar. At the Academy Awards that year, the film won a total of 4 Oscars. The supporting cast is first rate, including Vincent Price, Charles Bickford, William Eythe, Lee J Cobb and Gladys Cooper.
This is the kind of film which you will watch once and never forget. It is moving, told with great simplicity and touches something which is deep within us all.
A perennial favourite and only newly released on DVD after 61 years, this is one film you should make a point of watching.
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
A beautiful and moving film, surprisingly unsentimental with some truly excellent performances.
Jennifer Jones works well as St Bernadette, and at times her performance is almost painfully moving - as in the famous moment when, obedient to "the lady" she starts shovelling mud into her mouth. She has just the right air of innocence and beauty.
Her mother is played with particular brilliance - as if one of those gritty peasants from an early Van Gogh painting stepped straight from the canvas. The atmosphere of 19th century agricultural France is well evoked. You get a great sense of poverty, civic pretension, and the ultimate radiance of the miraculous happenings.
Go buy it, and be inspired. You will not regret it. Hollywood failed to ruin it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Life Story of Bernadette of Lourdes
This is an excellent film which, although it is a fictionalized version of the life of Bernadette,does inform about the major events in Lourdes approximately 150 years ago, which... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jools
Afamily favourite
Many people know of Saint Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes but many others do not. She was born to an impoverished miller in 1844 in an obscure village in the Pyrenees in South... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Desmond J. Keenan
The Song of Bernadette DVD
A beautiful film based on the book of Franz Werfel. True to the text, but lacking some of the detail, the film portrays the life of Bernadette from her childhood to the end of her... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. N. Clarke
Childhood revisited
I first saw this film when I was young I am now 74.It still tugs at the heart strings and brings a tear or two.
I was brought up as an anglocatholic during the war. Read more
I was brought up as an anglocatholic during the war. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Cliff Holloway
Excellent.
This dvd was of excellent quality. It was delivered promptly with perfect packaging. I have watched it over and over. I would recommend this buy. Read more
Published 13 months ago by dianesmith widnes
Great perfomances,inspiring film
I dont think anyone could have done a better film of bernadettes life than this and jenifer jones portrayal of bernadette is just impeccable. Read more
Published 15 months ago by sugaspicekiki
The song of Bernadette video.
Good video but the picture kept breaking up for about 2 minutes when the wall was being built round the spring water.
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Dennis Matthews
true to life
this is a very good version of the story of Bernadette, i got it for my mother in law who had just returned from Lourdes and she loved it, it is a lovely story.
Published 17 months ago by Maeve Sweeney
The Song of Bernadette
This story still inspires a feeling of wonder,you don't have to believe the story but the acting of young Jennifer Jones was exquisite.
Published 22 months ago by PAULINE BURTON
The song of Bernadette dvd
I have loved this film ever since i was a wee girl and remember watching it at easter time sat on my mum's knee eating my easter egg and ever since then i have always wanted to see... Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by P. Phee
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