Customer Reviews

The Miracle of the Bells (B&W) [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Undoubtedly one the finest performances by Fred MacMurry and Frank Sinatra, not to mention the superior supporting cast, Lee J. Cobb for starters. But because Sinatra isn't singing the "experts"; Maltin, Siskel, Ebert and Shalate overlook his REAL acting abiltiy. Sinatra is as pure a thespian as Olivier in this role as a priest (not even a church hymn from Frank's lips is hummed). Maltin's above review includes "ludicrous" plot-I'm sure the movie GHOST is on Leonard's his TOP 100 list. Trust no critic: see the this inspirational movie at once.

Based on Russell Janey's novel, the Ben Hecht/Quentin Reynolds script for this film is sometimes sappy and often uneven, but it's also a nice sentimental story, told in flashback, by William Dunnigan (played in a somber manner by Fred McMurray), a press agent who was never a very happy guy, and is burying the woman he loved (but was never able to tell her so).
The real reason to watch this film is to see Alida Valli play Joan of Arc, in a "film within a film" segment. She is luminous and incredibly beautiful, and would have made a terrific Joan. Coincidentally, the lavish "Joan of Arc" production starring Ingrid Bergman was released the same year as this film.

Another reason to view "The Miracle of the Bells" is to see Frank Sinatra, skinny as a rail, in the unlikely part of a soft spoken priest; this was five years before his success in "From Here to Eternity", and he is surprisingly good, but far from great. He sings "Ever Homeward", a cappella, as he sits among the grave stones; there's a lot of gloomy aspects to the film, one of them being that the setting is a poor coal mining town...though it all has a nice pay-off.
Lee J. Cobb is Marcus Harris, the film producer making "Joan of Arc", and he has the humorous moment in the film with his "I won't stand for any press agent miracles !" rant, which was funny enough to make me laugh out loud, a rarity for me.
Some might say it's improbable that headlines of "Nation Mourns For Movie Star" could ever happen, especially when the "movie star" is unknown, but seeing how today's media obsesses about inconsequential stories, and runs with them for days (nay, weeks !) on end, on a slow news cycle, anything could happen.
Total running time is 120 minutes.

I watched The Miracle of the Bells for the first time this past December 2004 and I liked it. It is a sad movie but there are some very hartwarming moments in this that make it highly enjoyable! It is about a young woman on the verge of becoming a big movie star who dies and the man who loved her brings her back to be buried in her hometown. The movie stars Alida Valli as the actress and Fred MacMurray as her friend and they were both very good and the movie also stars Frank Sinatra as a young Catholic priest and I have read reviews saying that they just couldn't buy him playing a priest, I guess because of his bad boy Rat Pack image but I thought he was very good and I was able to forget about his later Rat Pack image and I just enjoyed his acting in this movie. Though this movie is thought of by many as a Christmas movie I feel that it can be watched anytime of the year, I mean just because it's set in winter and there is a miracle doesn't mean that you can only watch it during the Christmas holidays and also I wish that this movie would be put on DVD!

Orginally, I saw this movie about ten years ago and it really left an impression on me. It brilliantly grabs the viewer's heart...You would have to be dead not to be touched by this film. I loved it and I'm getting ready to purchase a copy for my 15-year-old daughter to watch. I've shared with her many other classics I've valued in my lifetime, i.e. Jane Eyre (Orson Wells), Wuthering Heights, and Alice Adams. I hope she will treasure the classics as much as I do.

This video captures Fred MacMurray in his younger years. His style and grace is beautiful and Valli and Frank Sinatra also have a spritual essence they add to this movie. I love this movie and even though the miracle some might doubt it still captures the humanity of a human soul and what love is about.

I read the first review and had to add my vote to get this great film transferred to DVD. It is a wonderful film that has a great message and is a Christmas Favorite of mine. I watched it every year at the holiday's as a child. Very well acted and worth the time spent to sit and enjoy a film that can rest on the plot and the talent of the actors. No needless sex or violence just a great story!!! Hurry with the DVD PLEASE!!!

I was able to purchase this movie on a DVD from [...] sales distribution Blackhorse Entertainment

I could not play it on Blue Ray but was able to play it on my old DVD player.
The movie was marvelous. I do not care what the critics say. Alida Valli does an outstanding job. Fred Mac Murray has a magical delivery in this role and the perfect voice sound to make it powerful. Frank Sinatra as a priest shows a good depth of character, plays it just as it should be. No fluff. Lee J. Cobb always a top rated professional does not let you down in this one either. He defends America with eloquent poise. I might add defending America in films today seems to be missing.
Please get the film, pass it on to your children, it is a classic.
Enjoy,
Vicki Youngelman

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL OLD MOVIE. FRED MCMURRY & FRANK SINATRA DID A WONDERFUL JOB. SO NICE TO WATCH DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

I have watched this film many times and never tire of it..the town of Coal Town,was to be based on now what is the small town of Glen Lyon, in Pennsylvania. many of the buildings in the movie are exact replica of the ones that now stand empty or remodeled into homes or other business in this small coal town community, even to St. Michael's church that is still active and the two small cemateries on top of the hill on the outskirts of town. Nanticoke, which is about ten miles from Glen Lyon at that time would of been the largest town in the area where people would have to go for any of their major business. The mines are mostly all closed now in this area and many of their breakers and changing rooms and offices have been torn down, but by watching this movie it brings back the memories of the many years that coal mines was the main source of employment is this area. the simpler, but harder times for many of the people in the community.

I couldn't wait to buy this on DVD. I saw it when I was a child and again a few years ago on AMC (when it was still worth watching).

I can't believe the bad reviews it got. It's a very sweet film.