MovieChat Forums > Ingrid Bergman Discussion > The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's


Bergman(imo) should have won an Oscar for this. She doesn't make a false move and her performance is so beautifully underplayed that it could be given today,and no one would blink. Her second to last scene,as she preys, is so quietly powerful that I'm moved every time I see it. She was both beautiful and superb,a rare mix.











Just because something can't be explained,doesn't mean it becomes yours!

reply

This message has been deleted by the poster

reply

I agree. It was definitively one of her very best, and Oscar would have been much deserved. Aside from the scene you mentioned, I have another favorite. Shes singing joyously with the nuns when she notices Crosby, and her voice goes from singing to calling his name in an instant. I dont know how better to explain it, but there was something so endearing and natural in that moment of sheer spontanaity and light heartedness that makes you believe she has been a happy nun forever.

reply

You hear people talk about the acting style of the vintage movie stars, and how it just was not as naturalistic as today's acting, and you look at Bergman's performance in BOSM, and think, wow, they have no clue what they're talking about.

reply

Bergman(imo) should have won an Oscar for this. She doesn't make a false move and her performance is so beautifully underplayed that it could be given today,and no one would blink. Her second to last scene,as she preys, is so quietly powerful that I'm moved every time I see it. She was both beautiful and superb,a rare mix.

The chemistry between Ingrid and audience is born within this lady. The movie is quite slow for today's standard, but if you follow the movie, it is impossible that you cry with a big smile while you watch Ingrid's smile at the end.

reply

She should have won an Oscar that year for starring in two BP nominees, the #1, 2 and 7 box office hit. And she swept all the precursors as well.

Since when has an actress starred in three top ten box office draws in a year? And she was in the #1 and 6 box office hit in 1943 as well.

reply

No one as beautiful as Ingrid should play a nun. That said, she was great.

reply