The Nun's Story

The Nun's Story

Director: Fred Zinnemann Cast: Franz Waxman
Franz Waxman
, Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
, Peter Finch
Peter Finch
Fred Zinnemann
The Nun's Story

The Nun's Story

Director: Fred Zinnemann Cast: Franz Waxman
Franz Waxman
, Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
, Peter Finch
Peter Finch
Fred Zinnemann

DVD (Wide Screen)

$19.99 
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Overview

Audrey Hepburn stars in The Nun's Story as Sister Luke, postulant of a Belgian order of nuns. Though frequently disillusioned in her efforts to spread good will -- at one point she is nearly killed by a mental patient (Colleen Dewhurst) -- Sister Luke perseveres. Sent as a nurse to the Belgian Congo, an assignment she'd been hoping for, Sister Luke is disappointed to learn that she will not be ministering to the natives but to European patients. Through the example of no-nonsense chief surgeon Peter Finch, the nun sheds her idealism and becomes a diligent worker -- so much so that she contracts tuberculosis. Upon the outbreak of World War II, Sister Luke tries to honor the edicts of her order and not take sides, but this becomes impossible when her father (Dean Jagger) is killed by the Nazis. Realizing that she cannot remain true to her vows, Sister Luke leaves the order and returns to "civilian" life. The Nun's Story ends with a long, silent sequence in which Sister Luke divests herself of her religious robes, dons street garb, and walks out to an uncertain future. There is no background music: director Fred Zinnemann decided that "triumphant" music would indicate that Sister Luke's decision was the right one, while "tragic" music would suggest that she is doing wrong. Rather than make an editorial comment, the director decided against music, allowing the audience members to fill in the blanks themselves. The Nun's Story is based on the book by Kathryn Hulme, whose depiction of convent life was a lot harsher and more judgmental than anything seen in the film.

Product Details

Release Date: 04/04/2006
UPC: 0012569739864
Original Release: 1959
Rating: NR
Source: STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code: 1
Presentation: [Wide Screen]
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono]
Language: English
Time: 2:32:00
Sales rank: 19,773

Special Features

Closed Caption;Theatrical trailer; English and French languages; English, French and Spanish subtitles

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Audrey Hepburn Gabrielle Van Der Mal
Peter Finch Dr. Fortunati
Edith Evans Mother Emmanuel
Peggy Ashcroft Mother Mathilde
Dean Jagger Dr. Van Der Mal
Mildred Dunnock Sr. Margharita
Beatrice Straight Mother Christophe
Patricia Collinge Sr. William
Rosalie Crutchley Sr. Eleanor
Ruth White Mother Marcella
Eva Kotthaus Sister Marie
Niall MacGinnis Father Vermeuhlen
Patricia Bosworth Simone
Barbara O'Neil Mother Katherine
Lionel Jeffries Dr. Goovaerts
Margaret Phillips Sister Pauline
Colleen Dewhurst Archangel
Stephen Murray Chaplain
Orlando Martins Kalulu
Errol John Illunga
Jeannette Sterke Louise Van Der Mal
Richard O'Sullivan Pierre Van Der Mal
Diana Lambert Lisa
Marina Wolkonsky Marie Van Der Mal
Penelope Horner Jeannette Milonet
Ave Ninchi Sister Bernard
Charles Lamb Pascin
Ludovice Bonhomme Bishop
Dara Gavin Sister Ellen
Elfrida Simbari Sister Timothy
Dorothy Alison Sister Aurelie
Molly Urquhart Sister Augustine
Frank Singuineau Murderer of Sister Aurelie
Juan Aymerich Actor
Giovanna Galletti Actor

Technical Credits
Fred Zinnemann Director
Robert Anderson Screenwriter
Henry Blanke Producer
Kathryn Hulme Screenwriter
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