Watch The Bells of St. Mary's For Free

Touches You

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Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Blistering performances.

I am 66 years old and went to a Catholic school run by holy sisters. My first grade teacher dressed almost exactly like Ingrid Bergman. The movie is very authentic in its portrayal of a school run by nuns. I have seen it many times. (SPOILER!) I really do cry when Father O'Malley tells Sister Benedict that she is leaving because she has TB. Bergman's acting is superb throughout, and Bing Crosby is a natural as a Catholic priest. One of my favorite movies of all time. This is how I grew up.

Black-and-white, no killing, no car chase, no hatred, no simplistic solutions, no popular philosophy, combine to disappoint under-educated, overly-ego driven, amateur critics. The greatest issue the world faces is, and has always been, how we treat each other, and this movie debates that issue in several ways, independent scenes, linked by common characters with opposing philosophies. Should we set strict academic standards and adhere to them? Should boys be encouraged to be aggressive in self-defense? Should subordinates defer to higher authority? Are we obligated to be charitable? Is total, brutal honesty always the best policy? Many self-appointed "geniuses" KNOW the correct answer to those and more questions the movie asks, but I don't, after a lifetime of urban teaching, after breaking up over 200 fights, physically, after watching 40% or more of my students drop out, and seeing dozens die. (Note: the doctor not telling the nun she had TB was common in the era, and the songs were fantastic in my opinion.)

O horrifying triteness. O exquisite torture. Oh the pain. Bing Crosby's appeal (now lost to time) and zero screen presence, is on display in this filmic atrocity. It's so naff it makes Sound of Music look like German Expressionism. Bing's an unformed newb-priest, who can't parse the simplest of adult or religious dilemmas. And the movie presents him with a crisis so feeble it wilts and wheezes as soon as it limps on screen. The corn begins to pile up immediately. I watched in a state other than rapt attention.What on earth is Ingrid Bergman doing in this? Did she lose a bet? It's way off the bottom of the chart of screen achievement, perhaps tied with Godspell for "Things you should rush out to NOT see.

never will this film be outdated. it touches our heart strings.effectively. the story line is never boring....and is quite refreshing. I'm glad it was done in black and white...it conserves its realism. the acting....just breath taking....Ingrid Bergman sublime...the boxing scene...priceless. bing Crosby another tour DE force in playing a role....critics wondered if he could repeat an Oscar winning performance. and henry Travers.....can anyone play this role better than he. the direction flawless... the music superb. the song THE LAND OF BEGINNING AGAIN...MMMMM in my heart forever. they don't make them like this anymore.