Best Actress 1959, Part 4: Audrey Hepburn in 'The Nun's Story'

This is a review of Audrey Hepburn's Oscar-nominated performance in "The Nun's Story".

[melissaking]

Sister Luke is Hepburn's most sublime performance. Her struggle to permanently submerge her personality of ambition to be a great nurse and reconcile it with the harsh, rigid lifestyle of life in a Belgian convent is the driving force of the film. Audrey is heartbreaking in her constant inner struggle with understated power. Fred Zinnemann's masterly direction, the great performances of the cast, and Franz Waxman's beautiful score come together to a nearly flawless film.

[anthonyanderson]

Bravo! Hepburn’s performance in The Num”# Story is inspired in every single moment and is surely one of the greatest ever captured on film. And the supporting cast, wow and wow again.

[thepupmommy]

Absolutely Hepburn's finest role, and she was robbed when she didn't win that Oscar. Hepburn, herself, said this was her favorite film. You can visibly see the inner struggle that she was going through throughout her time in the convent. It took her father's death -- so incredibly devastating -- to make her realize he was right all along. Obedience vs strong will and the words for Dr Fortunati to see things her own way. And, the glimpse into the life of a convent .... I grew up in Catholic school. Believed everything I saw in the movie.

[reneeperry]

Incredible performance! One of the best ever!

[rrfirefly]

The final scene of this movie was a shock to me. She opens the door to the outside world. Leaving that last room of the convent suddenly she is thrust into the world of everyday people. That stark reality left a deep impression. No more indoor scenes. It's the street now.

[jocelyndecastro]

Audrey Hepburn's legacy will never die! For her performance in "The Nun's Story", she was SEVERELY ROBBED of the Oscar for Best Actress!

[bbdc-sgdc]

A very touching performance. One of her many nominations. Most people don't understand what it takes to become a Nun, st least back then.

[roycerowland]

I think that if Aubrey would had not won the Oscar for Roman Holiday I think that she could had won the Oscar for The Nun's Story because her performance is brilliant and for me the performance is all in her eyes.

[ingmarvandesande]

A very intelligent review again. And touching for me to hear her speak in my language at the beginning of this video! Thanks!

[monanggodang]

Audrey shouldve won Oscar for her performance here. She and Peter Finch had a great chemistry too. Fred Zinneman did an excellent job directing this film.

[blossom]

She is just so Adorable!! This is one of those favorite movies of hers even tho the subject is one I know nothing about. She’s so talented

[douglaso]

Thank you! What a beautiful presentation of this film And I share your perspective. One thing I would add is that it was directed by Fred Zinnemann who always cares about ethics and worked to bring that to light through his films. (He did high noon as well.)

[rikaugreg]

Great presentation from a great actress. The Link of the Bafta Award at 1.44 seems untraceable. Do you still have the link in your files. My sincere thanks.

[benleung]

"The Nun's Story" was very successful, critically and commercially, at the time of its release. It solidified Audrey Hepburn's position as a major box office pull who can bring audience to the theater even with a story that is not exactly crowd-pleasing and a supporting cast of great talents but little star power. However, somehow the film didn't age as well as her other movies with modern audience. By not aging well I don't mean the quality but the popularity of the film. Today when asked what is Audrey's most memorable movie, different people might have different choice but very few would name 'The Nun's Story". They might acknowledge it's quality but they wouldn't pick it as their favorite. Some movies just doesn't seem to have that leg without a the push of the studio in spite of itself.

[christianaguilera]

"Ben Hur could never" ha one of my fav lines you ever said

[rosemaryfranzese]

This is definitely Audrey’s best performance and the one she should have won the Oscar for. Audrey’s unique beauty with a more subtle make up than usual is still radiant but it’s her talent as an actress that shines through. I have little time for Oscars, they are meaningless but great performances don’t really need trinkets because they can be enjoyed forever.

[ponypalpaula]

I watched this movie for the first time as a kid and many times since. The nun’s story is my favourite Hepburn movie.

[robertrobbins]

Audrey was brilliant in this beautiful film.

[saltnessmonster]

The sadness of when she had to leave Africa and the strength she showed to hide her feelings was perfect.

[mortner]

This film was sadly neglected at the Oscars ;-(