Pros: Audrey Hepburn's best performance as Gabrielle Van Der Mal, aka Sister Luke, a young woman who becomes a nun so she can become a nurse in the Congo. She is superb as the character suits her perfectly though it could not have been an easy role, given how difficult it was to be a nun, not only did they have to shed their worldly possessions but they also had to abandon their memories of their past so her performance is a very internal one but she packs an emotional punch in the few scenes where she shows emotion. And she's surrounded by an all-star cast, all of whom are also superb.
Cons: The plot is a bit oddly paced and parts are painfully dated, such as when Mother Mathilde (Dame Peggy Ashcroft) calls the native people of the Congo savages. And the plot spends far too much time while Sister Luke is a postulant and novice and not enough action in the Congo, such as glossing over her shining moment when she saves Father Andre's (Stephen Murray's) leg.
Recommend: Yes
Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-The supporting cast includes Beatrice Straight, Edith Evans, Mildred Dunnock, Patricia Collinge and Margaret Phillips as the villain Sister Pauline.
-Peter Finch is the atheist Dr. Fortunati who develops an unrequited crush on Sister Luke as he truly respects her intelligence and work ethic.
-Colleen Dewhurst as a wicked little cameo as a patient on the mental ward who assaults Sister Luke.
-It is never correct or ethical to ask someone to purposely fail a test.
-Hopefully Sister Luke continues to work for the resistance after abandoning her vows. Hopefully, she lives a happy life.
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