DVD Corner

The Nun’s Story Blu-ray Review

“The Nun’s Story” is among Audrey Hepburn’s best work. 

Based on the novel by Kathryn C. Hulme, 1959’s “The Nun’s Story” revolves around Gabrielle, the daughter of a noted surgeon who decides to join the convent to become a nun. Her dream is to serve as a nurse in the Congo. Gabrielle’s new transformation in life starts out by learning the rules and rituals, adjusting to changes from her previous life, and devoting her life to God. Her path takes her to being a nurse in a mental hospital, going to the Congo to help Europeans (and not natives like she hoped), bonding with a Doctor, becoming ill, and being sent back to Belgium while WWII breaks out. Nuns are meant to remain neutral in war, but Gabrielle finds herself having a crisis of conscience and faith. Throughout her whole journey, she struggles with her own imperfections, doubts, and mental anguish. Will she a continue to live life a nun or will she opt to make another change in her life? 

Directed by Fred Zinnemann and written by Robert Anderson, “The Nun’s Story” was an unexpected film in the best way possible. There have been numerous films about nuns in many genres, but there hasn’t been a film that really psychologically and physically explores the challenges in becoming a nun. We (the audience) follow Gabrielle on her entire journey from putting her old life behind her to becoming a nun. It’s very much an absorbing character study that shows Gaby’s struggles and failures. Is she really cut out for this life? Is there something more she would rather be doing? Can she essentially rewire her brain to think a different way? Can she entirely devote her life to God? These are but some of the questions the story explores in a intelligent manner.

When it comes to the filmography of Audrey Hepburn, “My Fair Lady,” “Roman Holiday,” and “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” tend to dominate the conversation, but “The Nun’s Story” deserves more recognition. To say this a challenging role for any actress is an understatement. Much of this film features Gabrielle having internalized emotions (and inner struggles) which is difficult to capture on the screen. That’s the type of material you tend to see in a novel. Hepburn makes it seem so effortless to convey such a wide range of emotions with a single expression or line. Granted, she is aided by Zinnemann’s assured direction, the excellent script by Anderson, and the memorable score by Franz Waxman, but Hepburn really has to do the heavy lifting here. It’s an extraordinary performance. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? This Technicolor film gets another noteworthy restoration Warner Archive.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Sadly, the audio isn’t perfect due to some prevalent hissing. Outside of that, the audio is solid.

The lone extra is the original theatrical trailer.

June 24, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Audrey Hepburn, Nuns, The Nun's Story Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive