The Nun's Story
The Nun's Story is a 1959 Warner Brothers film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans and Peggy Ashcroft. Based upon the 1956 novel of the same title by Kathryn Hulme, the story tells of the life of Sister Luke (Hepburn), a young Belgian woman who decides to enter a convent and make the many sacrifices required by her choice. However, at the outset of World War II, she finds that she cannot remain neutral in the face of the abject evil of Hitler's Germany.
The book was based upon the life of Marie Louise Habets, a Belgian nurse who similarly spent time as a nun. The film follows the book fairly closely, although some critics believe the film shows sexual tension in the relationship between Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch) and Sister Luke that is absent from the novel.
A major portion of the film takes place in the Belgian Congo, site of location shooting, where Sister Luke assists Dr. Fortunati in surgical procedures at a mission hospital. The location was Yakusu, a center of missionary and medical activity in the Belgian Congo.
The book was based upon the life of Marie Louise Habets, a Belgian nurse who similarly spent time as a nun. The film follows the book fairly closely, although some critics believe the film shows sexual tension in the relationship between Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch) and Sister Luke that is absent from the novel.
A major portion of the film takes place in the Belgian Congo, site of location shooting, where Sister Luke assists Dr. Fortunati in surgical procedures at a mission hospital. The location was Yakusu, a center of missionary and medical activity in the Belgian Congo.
Source: Wikipedia
Here are a few excerpts from the film. Along with some commentary.
Interior Silence
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This first scene was the one that caught my attention and made me decide to watch more.
We constantly strive toward perfection by inner silence. The ultimate goal of this silence is to make possible constant conversation with God. We can't talk to God audibly?
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My Book Of Sins
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Each day, for the rest of your lives, you will examine your consciences, and enter in these notebooks each and every imperfection against the holy rule. Like drinking a glass of water between meals, without permission. Ooh that's a biggie. God save your soul for being thirsty.
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The Grand Silence
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As you will learn tomorrow, when we start studying the holy rule, which governs our life hear in the community, one of the first conditions is the rule of silence. Exterior and interior silence. Can't have idle chit-chat. No good comes from verbal communication.
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The "Reverend Mother" Represents Christ
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It is not easy to be a nun. It is not a life of refuge from the world. It is a life of sacrifice. In a way it is a life against nature. It is a never ending struggle for self-perfection. Wait a minute, isn't God the One who perfects us?
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Divest Yourselves of the Vanities of This World
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Are you firmly resolved to despise the honors, riches, and all the vain pleasures of this world, in order to prepare for a closer union with God? Even the Bible talks about honoring people.
See Proverbs 31:28 |