First, this movie was based on a novel written by William E. Barrett - for those of you who are familiar with the movie with Sidney Poiter called "Lilies of the Field", this is another treasure that should be seen.
Humphrey Bogart stars in this movie as a priest, the only thing is, he packs a pistol along with his Bible and tends to have his own style in doing things. His character is one of an air force flier, Jim Carmody, downed in China, captured by a warlord and forced to work for him. One of the warlord's men slips up and shoots a priest, sending Bogie over the edge. Since the priest died, Bogie decides to wear the vestments and become "Father O'Shea", as he sees this as the perfect way to escape out from under the control of the warlord. One problem is, when he gets to the mission, he is now torn between the heavy burden of the clergy vestment he now wears and from saving himself, for with the vestment comes duty.
To make matters more complex, Gene Tierney, plays a nurse who is falling in love with this no-nonsense priest.
There are 2 other reluctant missionaries, a doctor and his wife - they tend to try to tell Father O'Shea to close the mission, but Fr. O'Shea will have none of that.
Fr. O'Shea is certainly making a name for himself in the small section of China he is in. From rattling off his sermon in English to the sleepy Chinese who do not understand, to reciting the sermon in Chinese and watching every Chinese person in attendance awake and hear the words as if for the first time.
A great scene with such give & take, is that where Fr. O'Shea meets the oldest man in the village. The old man asks for a blessing and Fr. O'Shea delivers, and then humbles himself to receive a blessing from the old man. Poignant and beautifully carried out.
Trouble ensues when one of the warlord's men track Carmody down to the mission and we all know this spells trouble for Fr. O'Shea. Will he run, or will he stay?
This is a wonderful movie that instills a sense of duty over personal goals.
During the filming of this movie, Bogart was suffering from back pains and illness, but it does not show up in the movie - a constant actor, he pulls off the role of reluctant priest very well.
And, Tierney was on the verge of a breakdown, but both portrayed their characters wonderfully. The whole movie is warm.
This movie will appeal more to those with Christian values, as it is easier for one to accept and understand as to why Carmody makes the decisions he makes. A priest you can respect.
It's really a shame this movie is not yet on DVD. Also, a shame that it isn't shown more.
Humphrey Bogart stars in this movie as a priest, the only thing is, he packs a pistol along with his Bible and tends to have his own style in doing things. His character is one of an air force flier, Jim Carmody, downed in China, captured by a warlord and forced to work for him. One of the warlord's men slips up and shoots a priest, sending Bogie over the edge. Since the priest died, Bogie decides to wear the vestments and become "Father O'Shea", as he sees this as the perfect way to escape out from under the control of the warlord. One problem is, when he gets to the mission, he is now torn between the heavy burden of the clergy vestment he now wears and from saving himself, for with the vestment comes duty.
To make matters more complex, Gene Tierney, plays a nurse who is falling in love with this no-nonsense priest.
There are 2 other reluctant missionaries, a doctor and his wife - they tend to try to tell Father O'Shea to close the mission, but Fr. O'Shea will have none of that.
Fr. O'Shea is certainly making a name for himself in the small section of China he is in. From rattling off his sermon in English to the sleepy Chinese who do not understand, to reciting the sermon in Chinese and watching every Chinese person in attendance awake and hear the words as if for the first time.
A great scene with such give & take, is that where Fr. O'Shea meets the oldest man in the village. The old man asks for a blessing and Fr. O'Shea delivers, and then humbles himself to receive a blessing from the old man. Poignant and beautifully carried out.
Trouble ensues when one of the warlord's men track Carmody down to the mission and we all know this spells trouble for Fr. O'Shea. Will he run, or will he stay?
This is a wonderful movie that instills a sense of duty over personal goals.
During the filming of this movie, Bogart was suffering from back pains and illness, but it does not show up in the movie - a constant actor, he pulls off the role of reluctant priest very well.
And, Tierney was on the verge of a breakdown, but both portrayed their characters wonderfully. The whole movie is warm.
This movie will appeal more to those with Christian values, as it is easier for one to accept and understand as to why Carmody makes the decisions he makes. A priest you can respect.
It's really a shame this movie is not yet on DVD. Also, a shame that it isn't shown more.