Search - The Nun's Story

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 autobiographical book by Kathryn Hulme, whose depiction of convent life was a lot harsher and more judgmental than anything seen in the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Audrey Hepburn - Gabrielle Van Der Mal
Peter Finch - Dr. Fortunate
Edith Evans - Mother Emmanuel Superior General
Peggy Ashcroft - Mother Mathilde
Dean Jagger - Dr. Van Der Mal

1959	Best British Actress (winner)	British Academy of Film and Television	Audrey Hepburn
1959	Best British Film (nominee)	British Academy of Film and Television	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Best Director (nominee)	Directors Guild of America	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama (nominee)	Golden Globe	Audrey Hepburn
1959	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Golden Globe	Edith Evans
1959	Best Director (nominee)	Golden Globe	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Special Achievement (winner)	Golden Globe	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Best Actress (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Audrey Hepburn
1959	Best Adapted Screenplay (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Robert Anderson
1959	Best Color Cinematography (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Franz Planer
1959	Best Director (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Best Editing (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Walter Thompson
1959	Best Picture (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Henry Blanke
1959	Best Drama or Comedy Score (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Franz Waxman
1959	Best Sound (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	George Groves
1959	Best Director (winner)	National Board of Review	Fred Zinnemann
1959	Best Supporting Actress (winner)	National Board of Review	Edith Evans
1959	Best Actress (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	Audrey Hepburn
1959	Best Director (winner)	New York Film Critics Circle	Fred Zinnemann

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