Customer Reviews

Runner Stumbles [VHS]

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

 

 

Father Rivard (Dick Van Dyke) once dreamed of a life of religious scholarship, but years in a small, economically depressed mining town (in the 1920s) have dulled his dreams. Then arrives the young Sister Rita (Kathleen Quinlan) to teach in the village school. She is fresh and full of life, and despite their deep commitments to their religious vows, the two find themselves falling in love. To make matters **really** interesting, the film opens with Rivard accused of Sister Rita's murder.

This is tight, well-plotted, character-driven drama. Once Sister Rita arrives and the two are thrown together, matters proceed with that measured inevitability that leaves me tense every time I watch. Their story is told in flashbacks, interleaved with scenes of Rivard in prison and, later, on trial. The shifts in time are deftly handled, giving us not one, but two suspense stories to enjoy. (Milan Stitt wrote the play in the 1920s - based on a true story - then, over 40 years later, wrote the screenplay. I find the writing in both stage and film versions compelling.) The film also features excellent performances by Maureen Stapleton as Rivard's housekeeper, along with Beau Bridges as his lawyer, Tammy Grimes, and Ray Bolger.

I've read that this film was condemned by the Catholic Church, but I can't for the life of me see why. There's no bodice-ripping, no devil worship. And if ever there was a movie that tackled - and honored - the heartbreak of faith in the "real world," this is it.

This excellent film should be on DVD.

I saw this movie in the "70's with about 13 other people worldwide. But the murder trial of a Catholic priest for a nun under his care is so lovely and evocative. And the ending is a surprise. I remember most that upon leaving the theater I went to the restroom and there was a woman just sobbing her heart out. She expressed how I felt about the film. I know it's hard to find, but it's worth it. Dick Van Dyke is great.

This is one of the great love stories I've ever seen. I've seen this movie in the '70's when I was studying in the seminary and I found it to be compelling and great. I never became a priest though but I'm married to a wonderful woman who studied in a secondary school run by nuns. The actors in the movie are superb and I really love to watch it again with my wife. Could this be on DVD too? I'd really really appreciate it.

Funny, but I must've seen this when it came out, because I was just a kid. But I loved the movie so much I've never forgotten it.

It is the story of a priest (Van Dyke) who has lost his faith and his direction. When a new nun, Sister Rita (Quinlan) comes to town, he is inspired by her energy, faith and a simple love that flows from her & touches everyone she meets. But the only problem is that they are both only human....

There's the great acting by both Van Dyke and Quinlan (Stapelton is nice in a supporting role) and the unforgettable score by Ernest Gold. But when it all comes down to it, this is a love story. And a unique one in a way because it isn't about the usual lust and physical attraction that accompany the average Hollywood love story. These were two kindred spirits that just happen to meet at the wrong place and time and as a result the consequences were disasterous.

It is an all around wonderful movie and really should be on DVD (if they can put all those sitcoms from my youth on DVD, they can put this on DVD too!)

I recommend this movie.

As if this makes me some sort of expert or celebrity, but, whoo-hoo, I come from the "real" town/parish where the events that inspired the play and later the movie actually took place. Filming "on location" in our town/parish was denied, of course. Still as the filming went forward (in another location as we know)and after the film's release the people of our parish were outraged that such sins would be exposed. The publication of the play drew similar, but easily as passionate a reaction. For such a long time the roots in our community ran deep and strong. The people worked hard and were pious. Loyalty and discretion were expected. They wrapped themselve in renunciation not only of their sins but of the world at large. The story as it unfolded in real life brought disgrace to a community, a church and a people who had dedicated their lives to avoiding the near occassion of sin. The creation of the play and later the movie threatened the delusion that for years had allowed the parishioners to pretend this terrible thing had never happened. Ultimately the fear of being "found out" subsided. People realized that the location, time-line, characters and roles had all been blurred so well that our parish/town's anonymity was still firmly intact. The facts were blurred into fiction, so it goes. The detail that the inspiration for these works of fiction came from a scandal/crime in our town/church was irrelevant to both the play and the movie. Protest of the parishioners and the inevitability of our parents forbidding us (the younger set) to read the play or see the movie only led to our being curiouser and curiouser! They should have trusted that the secret had been kept so well. We youngsters may have never known the shame and degradation this event had brougt upon the parish/town at one time. The protests only brought the story to light. Anyone who didn't know about it already was now compelled to dig furiously to find out more. Unfortunately, facts about the real life story of this priest, this nun, this housekeeper, are fairly sketchy at best. Only the bare bones of the story remain. Documents were destroyed. Much information was supressed. Most of the old timers who would remember the true details of this scandal are no longer with us. When they left, the secret of what really happened went with them to their graves. But in order to make a more compelling play or movie, writers must take license and add elements to woo us. I will say that it feels odd for me to have such an affinity to something largely because of the threat of scandal and the faint shimmer of the glitter of Hollywood that it brought to our little town, but I think that is why this story still intrigues me. Truly, it was the most excitement the kids my age had seen in the county so far! So. Long story long. I think the writers germinated the seed of a real life tragic crime and wove it into a more paltable piece of entertainment. For my part, I one huge lesson learned was that ideas for art of all kinds can come from anything, anyone, anywhere;even from our innocuous little part of the world. Could it be that interesting things happen in places other than New York and Los Angeles. Go figure.

I totally agree, this is an excellent movie and Dick Van Dyke did a great job. He's always known for his comedies but this dramatic movie definitely left a mark. I wish this was out on DVD as well.

This movie from the 1980s has a great script with a powerful ending. The plot is easy to follow, and Dick Van Dyke is at his best in this dramatic performance as a priest who falls in love and faces a conflict which challenges his commitment to his vows. Kathleen Quinlan also enhances the storyline in her supporting role as a young & energetic nun. Every movie buff and movie-buff-wannabe should own a copy of this film.

I recently was a part of the production of this show at my university, and after performing the show and working with it for over 4 months, i was disappointed when i finally watched the film. The rewrites changed much of the emotional content of the story, and actually made it harder to understand. Finally, when it comes right down to it, i felt that Dick van Dyke missed many of the traits for the character. It's an excellent show, and if it's ever being performed in a close vicinity to yourself, then go see it! but the film is not nearly as good. And also, it's a good show assuming the lead actors understand the roles...since the entire story hinges on two characters, they are extremely important and can either help or destroy the show.

Also, contrary to what somewhat else said, Milan Stitt wrote the play in the 70's, and then rewrote the screenplay very soon after it was a hit on broadway in the same decade.