The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Directed by Henry King. Starring Jennifer Jones, Charles Bickford, Vincent Price, Gladys Cooper, William Eythe, Lee J. Cobb, Anne Revere, Roman Bohnen, Mary Anderson, Aubrey Mather.

Fictionalized account of young Bernadette Soubirous (Jones), an unlearned Catholic school student who claims to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary (the “Immaculate Conception”), resulting in interrogation and persecution from officials who doubt her. The Passion of Joan of Arc it ain’t; too long and unconvincing/uninspiring in its soft-hued reverence. True believers can breathe easy knowing there will be nothing to challenge their faith, but others will find too little nourishment in its benign perceptions, manipulative precision, and repetitive drama. Good acting almost saves the day, with fine turns from Revere as Bernadette’s mother, Price as the dubious prosecutor, and Jones (she’s far too old for the 14-year-old role and hardly deserved to win the Oscar, but at least it’s one of the actress’ few effective film performances, as earnest as it is modest). Also won Academy Awards for its photography, score, and art direction. The Blessed Virgin is portrayed by an unbilled Linda Darnell in Bernadette’s visions.

52/100