Franz Werfel’s, The Song of Bernadette tells the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous. The movie Was directed by the American screenwriter, George Seaton and released in 1943, only two years after the book was published. In 1943, The Song of Bernadette was awarded four Ocsars for: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Best Cinematography, and Best Music.
I believe that George Seaton’s goal for the film was not only to give the novel visual content, but to also spread the word of Saint Bernadette, Lourdes, and to give his opinion on atheism. At the beginning of the film, Seaton quotes, “For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible.” I believe this quote plays a big role in The Song of Bernadette, being that most of the people that do not believe that Bernadette sees the Virgin Mary portray atheist and atheism.
The Song of Bernadette was filmed in black and white. The shadowing in the movie was very good. It helped you visualize the film better and adds detail to the movie being that it is in black and white. The lighting also helps portray that the woman Bernadette sees is, in fact, something extraordinary. Whenever she appears in the film, she is always bright.
I think the actors that played in The Song of Bernadette played their rolls very well. Jennifer Jones was a great in the film as the main character, Bernadette. Gladys Cooper did an amazing job as Sister Marie. Charles Bickford also did a great job for the part of Father Peyramale. Like I said, everyone did a great job, but those three character just stand out for me.
In The Song of Bernadette, there are many of God moments, particularly being that the film is religious. I believe one of the first God moments is when Bernadette sees the lady for the first time. After she sees her, Bernadette just walks right through the river that was freezing cold just