Bernadette
Synopsis
In early 1858, at the Massabielle grotto, 14-year old asthmatic, illiterate miller's daughter Bernadette sees a light she later distinguishes as a beautiful young woman. The girl and the woman converse over the next few months. Crowds follow and people are cured by the waters from a spring Bernadette has cleared. Secular authorities are threatened by the popular gatherings and subject the girl to inquiry and medical review. The local monsignor, initially skeptical, becomes Bernadette's champion. She maintains her forthright simplicity and untutored wisdom throughout.
Genre: Drama
Status: Released
Director: Jean Delannoy
Main Cast
Sydney Penny
Bernadette Soubirous
Jean-Marc Bory
Le curé Peyramale
Jean-Marie Bernicat
M. Pailhasson
Philippe Brigaud
Le docteur Balencie
Claude Buchwald
Tante Bernhard
Arlette Didier
Milhet
Bérangère Jean
Eugénie Troy
Elisabeth Kaza
Mère Vauzou
Franck Cabot-David
Le receveur d'estrade
Stéphane Garcin
User Reviews
SurplusGadgets
This is the film that is shown daily at the Grotto in Lourdes on a loop. Pegged as a more accurate portrayal of the look and feel of the time, it is also simple in the dialogue to focus on the purity of the events. The film depicts the 18 appearances of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous at the Massabielle grotto near Lourdes, France in 1857-1858 and the effect it has on Bernadette's life around her. The young actor, Sydney Penny, could not speak French. So the French production was filmed in its entirety twice with Penny speaking in English and the rest of the cast in French both times. One edited version has Penny dubbed in French (the first, French release) and another the rest of the cast dubbed in English (the latter, USA release). Likely should be listed as two separate film entries.
