Saturday, February 11, 2017

The Song of Bernadette (1943)

The Song of Bernadette is one of my favorite films. The bleak poverty, the depth of winter, the chilling remoteness of the Pyrenean village are captured magnificently, so that it appears as the most unlikely spot for miracles that would shake the world. There are few more majestic moments in cinema than when the dying baby is plunged into the newly dug spring at the grotto of Massabielle, to come forth with a hearty, healthy cry. (Such a miracle did happen at Lourdes. I always cry at that scene.) Jennifer Jones becomes St. Bernadette; she resembles her a great deal, other than the divergence in height. The tall Jennifer communicates quite masterfully the littleness of the petite Bernadette, as well as her purity and simplicity. Charles Bickford's portrayal of the crusty, skeptical Abbé Peyramale, who becomes Bernadette's indefatigable champion, inspired me to visit the Abbé's tomb in the crypt of the parish church of Lourdes. The Abbé died two years before Bernadette, and so was not at her deathbed as shown in the movie.

The film was based upon the novel by Franz Werfel, one of the greatest Catholic novels written by a non-Catholic. When Werfel, who was Jewish, was escaping the Nazis, he and his wife (the notorious Alma Mahler) stopped in Lourdes on their way to Spain. Werfel found a great deal of spiritual consolation in Lourdes, and promised the long dead Bernadette that he would write down her story. The novel and film romanticize some aspects of Bernadette's life; a few historical liberties are taken. But the portrayals of Bernadette and her family, particularly her horrified parents, already overwhelmed by trials, are fairly accurate, as is the recounting of the amazing events at the grotto.

Remarkably, both the book and film emphasize that it was not the apparitions that made Bernadette into a saint. Rather, it was how she accepted the trials sent by God, from the humiliations in the convent to the debilitating and agonizing health problems that killed her. In the final scene, the faith of a dying nun illuminates a darkening world. I rejoice that her moment of light is artistically captured on film for posterity. Share

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this movie, too. The poverty of Bernadette's family is moving. The priest is so "Catholic"--in sentiment and manner, loved it.

Our film group watched "The Colors of Paradise" this weekend. I think you would like this movie, if you haven't seen it already. I don't want to hint at it, but a woman in the group said one scene is the most moving scene ever captured on film, in her opinion.

Jean Heimann said...

This is one of my favorite films, too. I love the photo you posted. Excellent post! Thank you! :)

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks for the recommendation, Susan!

Thank you, Jean. To me that photo captures the moment when Bernadette can clearly see that the pain and misery are not going away, that she must continue to face misunderstandings and suffering; she accepts it all in a spirit of faith and love.

Anastasia P said...

I will add this to my movie list. Thanks. :)

Lucy said...

I absolutely adore this movie- and I haven't seen it in ages. Thanks for bringing it up...time for a good family movie night:) thanks!

elena maria vidal said...

You'll love it, Anastasia!

Yes, Lucy, it is a perfect film for children and young people. We're going to rent it, too....

Alexandra said...

One of my favorites as well. I'll have to request this again from Netflix.

May said...

Elena, sorry this is off topic, but how do you verify your ownership of a site on the Google webmaster tools page?

elena maria vidal said...

I don't know, so sorry. Click on Blogger "Help." Otherwise, just keep giving them your password and username, I would say.

May said...

It really is a wonderful film; thanks for the review. And what a lovely picture!

elena maria vidal said...

You are welcome!

SQUELLY said...

I love this film- the music is beautiful