Customer Reviews

The Singing Nun

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"The Singing Nun" is a warm, sincere film, beautiful in its lightheartedness and in its honesty. The true story of a nun who went from Belgium to the Billboards is told through this film, and it is to be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Debbie Reynolds is the sunny young nun Sister Anne, who comes to a convent in Belgium to begin her religious life, and hopes to one day continue her work in the Congo. With her guitar, "Sister Adelle", and her beautiful singing voice, Sister Anne's talent is quickly recognized by the warm Mother Superior (Greer Garson) and the enthusiastic Father Clementi (Ricardo Montalban). She is encouraged by an old friend, Robert Gerarde (Chad Everett) to record an album of her hymns. The album becomes a sensation, and "The Singing Nun" is soon making appearances at parties and engagements, even appearing on "Ed Sullivan"! At first, Sister Anne is able to take her success in stride, as she begins teaching young children and forming a friendship with one of the underprivileged children, Dominic. But as the film progresses, Sister Anne finds herself torn: Should she continue her singing, or devote herself to God?

One critic wrote that the film had "the warmth and poignancy of a child's first prayer." And "The Singing Nun" is truly, that touching. Its beautiful score includes some wonderful hummable songs like "Brother John", "Beyond the Stars", "It's A Miracle", and "Dominic-A-Nic-A-Nica-A" among them. The perfect performances of Reynolds, Garson, Montalban, Everett, and a great supporting cast lend the movie a true depth of feeling. It's a moving, heartwarming film that will bring a smile to your face every time you watch it.

Debbie Reynolds and Chad Everett star in this lovely musical. Miss Reynolds is sister Anne, a young nun fresh from the convent, who comes to a poor town in Belgium. Her marvellous singing voice is discovered by the father of the parish, and when sister Anne goes to the recording studio she meets an old beau. Sister Anne becomes a top-recording artist, but she still spends time with the town's children and tries to make friends with the people in town. All while her old beau seems to get interested again.

A wholesome movie! Nothing offensive! A bit of laughter, a bit of sadness, a bit of romance! But all the time wonderful songs, ballads and toe-tappers, beautifully sung by Debbie Reynolds.

I saw this movie when I was 10 years old. Although I knew that it was a fictionalized account of the "real" singing nun, my friends and I enjoyed it immensely. We did not notice the make-up on the nuns, and we did not think that the nuns in it were over the top. Furthermore, there are many movies now where people are supposed to be dying or in a calamity, and they are wearing full make-up, oar the situation in the movie is just too unbelievable for words In fact, we had nuns who taught in our school, and we could team each nun with one of the characters in the movie, including Debbie Reynolds. It is a great movie for an older Catholic audience, who can remember when nuns wore habits, and still played baseball with their students.

I thoroughly enjoyed this video which tells of the choices we sometimes have to face in life between what we want to do and what we are called to do. The film portrays that love is the greatest gift of all when we have to make difficult choices in life.

Definitely not for the cynical, this warm and engaging story about the 'real life' Belgian singing nun is wholesome and delightful entertainment for all who desire what is good, right and clean.

Sure, Hollywood took liberties with the screenplay and the finished producted resembles practically nothing about the real 'singing nun's' life. But that is a peripheral issue. What is important here is that we have a film one can watch together as a family or a group, be enthralled by the heartwearming performances of the entire cast and have your heart lifted by the music that it contains. Beautiful melodies, simply performed with Debbie Reynolds perfect in acting and in singing voice.

To be fair, there are two minor issues that I have to nit pick. First the film is in need of tighter editing but, again, overlooking that, it is wonderful. Second, the last 1/3 of the film is lacking in music, but that is as it should be given how Sr. Ann is torn between her vocation and continuing her singing. Those two issues, notwithstanding, this film has you tapping your foot and singing along before you know it. It is a 'feel good' family film made in the sixties when America was desperately reaching for wholesomeness. On this matter the film succeeds. True, it is no "Sound of Music" and it doesn't attempt to be. But it stand on its own merits and is one film I never tire of watching, especially when I need some uplifting and edification.

What a shame that the soundtrack for this film is a rarity. I managed to obtain a vinyl disc copy through ebay and I enjoy it immensely but I wish they would release it on compact disc because the music is what sells this film.

Ignore the abysmal reviews by those who are cynical and desire more than good, clean, wholesome entertainment.

The irony of this film is that the real life singing nun tragically committed suicide in the early 1990s.

This film is pure escapism, something needed sorely today. Oh, and one more thing......let's get it released on DVD!!!

Based on a true story, The Singing Nun tells of a nun, Debbie Reynolds, who walks a fine line between joyous praise through music and vain self-glorification as her popular songs become commercially successful. The story's pretty simple as she rises to fame, with a profound twist that gives her a wake-up call. There's a terrific supporting cast, but the main appeal is the music, my favorite being the song "Dominique," which she performs on the Ed Sullivan show (apparently based on a true-life event, with Ed Sullivan appearing in the movie to recreate it). Fortunately this melody is used extensively in the films score making for very pleasant viewing.

One of the favored movies of my childhood and young adulthood. This movie combines faith,love,hope and the vows of poverty,obedience and charity with the lovely voice and talented acting skills of Debbie Reynolds. A young nun learns about fame and the sometimes high price of it that can take much from you, especially when one is a nun who is seeking daily,The Will of God.This movie version may not be the true story of the real singing nun,but then neither was "The Sound of Music" the real, ture honest story of the Von Trapp family. But then,such is the way of Hollywood,at least back then in the 60's. Sugar sold better that starch or vinager.If you're a stickler for the truth,avoid this movie like the plague. Otherwise,get it and have a great,wonderful,enjoyable time with it's lightheartedness,cheer and liveliness.

This movie is sweet and fun. That's all. It's not complicated, it's not a biography. It's a fictionalized account of a "Singing Nun". Debbie Reynolds has a beautiful voice. I loved this movie when I was little and still enjoy it!

For those being so critical of the American movie producers let me say that the blame for the fictional version of Jeannine Deckers life lies directly on Fichermont convent. The only way the film could be made was if it bore no resemblance to the real life of Sr. Luc Gabriel. The true story of Jeannine Deckers' life will be out this year, which includes the tale of how this movie was produced. Watch my web site for a release date.
D.A. Chadwick
(...)

Thankyou so much, I remember this movie from my younger years. very enjoyable !!! Thankyou, Ron