The Nun's Story(film)

The Nun's Story
Original film poster
Directed by	Fred Zinnemann
Screenplay by	Robert Anderson
Based on	The Nun's Story 1956 novel byKathryn Hulme
Produced by	Henry Blanke
Starring	Audrey Hepburn Peter Finch Edith Evans Peggy Ashcroft
Cinematography	Franz Planer
Edited by	Walter Thompson
Music by	Franz Waxman
Production company	Warner Bros.
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	June 18, 1959(1959-06-18)
Running time	152 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.5 million
Box office	$12.8 million

The Nun's Storyis a 1959 Americandrama filmdirected byFred Zinnemannand starringAudrey Hepburn,Peter Finch,Edith Evans,andPeggy Ashcroft.The screenplay was written byRobert Anderson,based on the popular1956 novel of the same namebyKathryn Hulme.The film tells the life of Sister Luke (Hepburn), a young woman who decides to enter a convent and make the many sacrifices required by her choice.

The film is a relatively faithful adaptation of the novel, which was based on the life of Belgian nunMarie Louise Habets. Latter portions of the film were shot on location in theBelgian Congoand feature Finch as a cynical but caring surgeon.The film was a financial success and was nominated for eightAcademy Awards,includingBest PictureandBest Actressfor Hepburn.

Plot

Gabrielle "Gaby" Van Der Mal (Audrey Hepburn), whose father Hubert (Dean Jagger) is a prominent surgeon in Belgium, enters a convent of nursing sisters in the late 1920s, hoping to serve in the Belgian Congo. After receiving the religious name of Sister Luke, she undergoes herpostulancyandnovitiatewhich foreshadow her future difficulties with the vow of obedience. She takes her first vows and is sent to theInstitute of Tropical MedicineinAntwerp.

After passing her courses with high marks, along with some spiritual conflict, she silently resists the Mother Superior's (Edith Evans) request to purposely fail her final exam as a proof of her humility. Despite finishing fourth in her class of 80, she is not assigned to the Congo but sent to a European mental hospital where she assists with the most difficult and violent cases, wasting her tropical medicine skills. A violent patient with psychosis (Colleen Dewhurst) tricks Sister Luke into opening the cell door in violation of the rules. She attacks Sister Luke, who barely escapes and once again faces the shame of her disobedience.

Eventually she takes hersolemn vows,and she is sent to her long-desired posting in the Congo. Once there, she is disappointed that she will not be nursing the natives, but will instead work in a segregated whites/European patient hospital. She develops a strained but professional relationship with the brilliant, atheistic surgeon there, Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch). Eventually, the work strains and spiritual struggles cause her to succumb totuberculosis.Fortunati, not wanting to lose a competent nurse and sympathetic to her desire to stay in the Congo, engineers a treatment plan that allows her to remain there rather than having to convalesce in Europe.

After Sister Luke recovers and returns to work, Fortunati is forced to send her to Belgium as the only nurse qualified to accompany a VIP who has become mentally unstable. She spends an outwardly reflective but inwardly restless period at the motherhouse inBrusselsbefore the superior general gives her a new assignment. Due to theimpending warin Europe, she cannot return to the Congo, and she is assigned as a surgical nurse at a local hospital.

While at her new assignment, Sister Luke's struggle with obedience becomes impossible for her to sustain as she is repeatedly forced into compromises to cope with the reality of theNazi occupation,including that they have killed her father. No longer able to continue as a nun, she requests, and she is granted adispensationfrom her vows. She is last seen changing into lay garb and exiting the convent through a back door.

Cast

Audrey Hepburnin afilm still

• Audrey Hepburnas Sister Luke (Gabrielle "Gaby" Van Der Mal)
• Peter Finchas Dr. Fortunati
• Edith Evansas Rev. Mother Emmanuel
• Peggy Ashcroftas Mother Mathilde
• Dean Jaggeras Dr. Hubert Van Der Mal
• Mildred Dunnockas Sister Margharita
• Beatrice Straightas Mother Christophe
• Patricia Collingeas Sister William
• Rosalie Crutchleyas Sister Eleanor
• Ruth Whiteas Mother Marcella
• Barbara O'Neilas Mother Didyma
• Margaret Phillipsas Sister Pauline
• Patricia Bosworthas Simone
• Colleen Dewhurstas "Archangel Gabriel"
• Stephen Murrayas Chaplain (Father Andre)
• Lionel Jeffriesas Dr. Goovaerts
• Niall MacGinnisas Father Vermeuhlen
• Eva Kotthausas Sister Marie
• Molly Urquhartas Sister Augustine
• Dorothy Alisonas Sister Aurelie
• Richard O'Sullivanas Pierre Van Der Mal (uncredited)
• Jeanette Sterkeas Louise Van Der Mal
• Errol Johnas Illunga
• Diana Lambertas Lisa
• Orlando Martinsas Kalulu

Production

Pre-production

Warner Brotherswas in touch with theProduction Code Officeas early as March 23, 1956, regarding a possible film adaptation ofThe Nun's Story.Warners provided Jack Vizzard of the Production Code Office with a 20-page synopsis of the novel, which had yet to be published.Vizzard became one of the production's early allies. The first step of development was domestic approval, ensuring that the film could be released in the United States. Vizzard initially suggested only two mandatory changes. In particular he objected to the scene in which Sister Luke's clothes are torn off by a mental patient passing as the Archangel Gabriel and a discussion of anal suppositories. More generally Vizzard wondered if the film's themes might alienate Catholics.

The novel was published on June 1, 1956, to great acclaim. Although the book was popular among devout followers of many religions, it proved somewhat divisive: Some praised its intimate and empathetic view of religious conviction, and others worried that it might discourage potential postulants. One vocal proponent was Harold C. Gardiner, the literary editor of the Jesuit MagazineAmerica.

Drive-inadvertisement from 1959.

On September 12, 1956, Columbia Pictures also reached out to the Production Code Office regardingThe Nun's Story.The Production Code Office replied by forwarding the same memo that had been sent to Warners with an additional postscript warning of religious disillusionment.Eventually Warners secured the rights to the book, and Robert Anderson and Fred Zinnemann signed to write and direct the film. Zinnemann had been introduced to the source material by actorGary Cooper,and he was immediately interested in an adaptation. Reportedly there was little traction from studios until Audrey Hepburn expressed her interest.

On August 14, 1957, Warners submitted the script forThe Nun's Storyto the Production Code Office. It was reviewed in conference with Monsignor John Devlin, the head of the Los Angeles chapter of theNational Legion of Decency.One conclusion was that "The present script, although being substantially acceptable, lacked showing some of the true and proper joy of religious life. It contains a somberness of mood that approaches theJansenistic.An effort will be made to supply the one and eliminate the other. "Some specific criticisms were entered, and it was suggested that an effort be made to show that Gabrielle enters religious life with a false ideal and that she is essentially not cut out to be a nun, a common Christian framing of the source material.

With progress being made on the script, the production turned its attention to Europe, where the film was shot, and where cooperation with religious organizations was crucial. ProducerHenry Blankesoon learned that theCatholic Church in Belgiumwere not impressed with the book, finding it injurious to religious vocations, and it would not cooperate with the production in any form.After recovering from an automobile accident, John Vizzard went to work on his European connections, hoping to convinceLeo Joseph Suenens,auxiliary bishop ofMechelento relinquish his objections. Father Leo Lunders helped facilitate these conversations.In September 1957, Lunders asked the Belgian Office of Warner Brothers who would be cast as Doctor Fortunati. Lunders objected to the proposals ofMontgomery CliftandRaf Vallone,suggesting someone older.Vizzard traveled to Europe in October 1957 to help with negotiations. At this point, Harold C. Gardiner became aware of the production and lent his enthusiasm and support. Together with Lunders, who soon was contracted as the film's ecclesiastical advisor, Vizzard won over Monsignor Suenens, but still needed to convince the Mother General of theSisters of Charity of Jesus and Maryin Ghent.The Sisters provided a lengthy set of objections and their own version of the script. Many of these suggestions were in some way accounted for. For example, the Sisters did not want the film to feature the clickers that they typically used to signal each other. They worried that European audiences would find this strange or even comedic. Eventually the Sisters agreed to allow observation of their order and guidance for the production. They wanted their help to remain private and refused to appear on camera. With support growing, the cast and crew began to make their way to Europe for preparation and photography.

The cast and crew included few if any Catholics. Fred Zinnemann was Jewish. Audrey Hepburn and Edith Evans wereChristian Scientists.Robert Anderson was a Protestant, and Peggy Ashcroft was agnostic.Given the eventual support of most local religious organizations, the production was able to observe and participate in many real religious ceremonies and traditions. Before principal photography, the leading actresses spent time embedded inAssumptionistConvents in Paris.

The production also corresponded regularly with Kathryn Hulme, the author of the source material. The Kathryn Hulme collection at Yale University contains 37 of these letters.To prepare for her role, Audrey Hepburn met with both Hulme and Marie Louise Habets, the inspiration for the novel and film. The three spent a considerable amount of time together, apparently becoming known as "The 3-H Club". Hepburn and Habets had some surprising similarities. Both had Belgian roots and had experienced personal trauma during World War II, including losing touch with their fathers and having their brothers imprisoned by Germans.Habets later helped nurse Hepburn back to health following her near-fatal horse-riding accident on the set of the 1960 filmThe Unforgiven.

Zinnemann also continued his usual practices of collaborating with the film's writer on the second draft of the screenplay (but not receiving a writing credit) and meeting with each major actor for an in-depth discussion of his or her character.

Patricia Bosworth learned that she was pregnant on the same day that she was cast as Simone. She underwent an underground abortion immediately before leaving for Rome and began to hemorrhage while on the plane. Production was delayed as she recovered.

The cast was completed byColleen Dewhurst,making her first screen appearance and Renée Zinnemann, the wife of the director who played the assistant of the Mother Superior (Edith Evans).

Principal photography

This house on theSint-Annareiin Bruges was a backdrop of the movie

The film was shot partially in the then Belgian Congo, nowDemocratic Republic of the Congo,with production based in then Stanleyville, nowKisangani.Some scenes were shot inYakusu,a nearby center of missionary and medical activity where cast and crew met the famous missionaryStanley George Browne.Fred Zinnemann had originally intended to film only the African scenes in color, with Europe rendered in stark black and white.There was originally a scene towards the end of the film depicting three men endangered by quicksand and rapidly rising water, but it was never filmed due to adverse conditions.

Interior scenes for the Belgian portions of the film were shot in Rome atCentro Sperimentale di CinematografiaandCinecittàon sets designed byAlexandre Trauner.Extras for these scenes were recruited from the ballet corps of the Rome Opera company. Zinnemann wanted actors who were capable of precise and coordinated movement.

Belgian exteriors were shot on location in Bruges, but the novel was set in Ghent.

Post-production

According to Zinnemann, composerFranz Waxman's dislike of the Catholic Church was a conspicuous influence on early drafts of the score. This is part of the reason why the final scene has no score, an uncommon stylistic choice for the era.Regardless of Waxman's work, Zinnemann had always wanted the film to end in silence.

The original theatrical trailer for the film contains a brief shot of Gabrielle and her father sitting at a cafe. The shot is an excerpt from a scene that was removed from the final cut. The scene is alluded to in the final film when Dr. Van Der Mal mentions a restaurant reservation at the beginning of the film. Zinnemann removed the scene because he felt it was redundant and hindered the pace of the film's opening.

Release

The film premiered atRadio City Music Hallon June 18, 1959.In April 1959, the film was screened at the Paris Warner Brothers office for nuns and religious officials who had helped with the film's preparations. Despite mostly not speaking English, the audience was reportedly captivated.The film premiered in Italy on October 10, 1959, at Cinema Fiammetta with Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer in attendance.

The Nun's Storyreceived its first official North American DVD release on April 4, 2006.

Hulme's and Habets' relationship was the subject ofThe Belgian Nurse,a radio play by Zoe Fairbairns, first broadcast onBBC Radio 4on January 13, 2007.

Reception

OnRotten Tomatoesthe film has an approval rating of 85% based on reviews from 20 critics.

The Nun's Storywas a major box office success in its day. Produced on a budget of $3.5 million, it grossed $12.8 million at the domestic box office,earning $6.3 million in theatrical rentals in the U.S.The Nun's Storywas considered, for a time, to be the most financially successful of Hepburn's films and the one the actress often cited as her favorite.

Bosley Crowtherof theNew York TimespraisedThe Nun's Storyas an "amazing motion picture" and "a thoroughly tasteful film," writing that "Mr. Zinnemann has made this off-beat drama describe a parabola of spiritual afflatus and deflation that ends in a strange sort of defeat. For the evident point of this experience is that a woman gains but also loses her soul, spends and exhausts her devotion to an ideal she finds she cannot hold."

The National Legion of Decency classified the film as A-II, "Morally Unobjectionable for Adults and Adolescents" with the observation that, "This entertainment film, noble, sensitive, reverent, and inspiring in its production, is a theologically sound and profound analysis of the essential meaning of religiousvocationthrough the story of a person who objectively lacked the fundamental qualification for an authentic religious calling. If the film fails to capture the full meaning of religious life in terms of its spiritualjoyand all-pervading charity, this must be attributed to the inherent limitations of a visual art. "

According to correspondences in the Kathryn Hulme collection at Yale University, both Mary Louise Habets and Kathryn Hulme were pleased with the film and its success.

The film was nominated for Academy Awards in eight categories, but received no Oscars in the year thatBen-Hurswept the awards. Fred Zinnemann was honored as best director by both the New York Film Critics and the National Board of Review.

In 2020Americaagain praised the film, celebrating it as Hepburn's most overlooked work and contrasting it with some of her less devout roles. There is no mention of the magazine's late literary editor Father Gardiner and his support for the source material and involvement in the adaptation.

Accolades

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
Academy Awards	Best Picture	Henry Blanke	Nominated
	Best Director	Fred Zinnemann	Nominated
	Best Actress	Audrey Hepburn	Nominated
	Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium	Robert Anderson	Nominated
	Best Cinematography – Color	Franz Planer	Nominated
	Best Film Editing	Walter A. Thompson	Nominated
	Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture	Franz Waxman	Nominated
	Best Sound	George Groves	Nominated
British Academy Film Awards	Best Film from any Source	Fred Zinnemann	Nominated
	Best British Actor	Peter Finch	Nominated
	Best British Actress	Peggy Ashcroft	Nominated
		Audrey Hepburn	Won
	United Nations Award	Fred Zinnemann	Nominated
David di Donatello Awards	Best Foreign Actress	Audrey Hepburn	Won
Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures	Fred Zinnemann	Nominated
Golden Globe Awards	Best Motion Picture – Drama		Nominated
	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama	Audrey Hepburn	Nominated
	Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture	Edith Evans	Nominated
	Best Director – Motion Picture	Fred Zinnemann	Nominated
	Best Film Promoting International Understanding		Nominated
	Special Achievement Award		Won
Grammy Awards	Best Soundtrack Album – Background Score from a Motion Picture or Television	Franz Waxman	Nominated
Laurel Awards	Top Drama		Nominated
	Top Female Dramatic Performance	Audrey Hepburn	Nominated
	Top Score	Franz Waxman	Nominated
National Board of Review Awards	Best Film		Won
	Top Ten Films		Won
	Best Director	Fred Zinnemann	Won
	Best Supporting Actress	Edith Evans	Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards	Best Director	Fred Zinnemann	Won
	Best Actress	Audrey Hepburn	Won
San Sebastián International Film Festival	Golden Shell	Fred Zinnemann	Won
	Best Actress	Audrey Hepburn	Won
Writers Guild of America Awards	Best Written American Drama	Robert Anderson	Nominated

External links

• The Nun's StoryatIMDb
• The Nun's StoryatAllMovie
• The Nun's StoryatRotten Tomatoes
• The Nun's Storyat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
• The Nun's Storyat theTCM Movie Database