Review of 7 Women

3 Observations on this 1966 drama directed by John Ford. First, Janet Green and John McCormick's screenplay based on "Chinese Finale" by Norah Lofts plays out as an allegory described in terms of characters, figures, and events converging because of Divine Providence. Second, the noble performances mostly explain or teach a Biblical principle: that faith in Christ is required to lay down one's life for others. Third, that absolute Biblical truth escapes Dr. Cartwright (Anne Bancroft) the New Yorker who smokes, drinks alcohol and disdains religion; and, fails to be articulated through the strict Miss Andrews (Margaret Leighton) the Head of the Mission whose central pivotal character regrettably turns into a stereotype in the latter third of the movie when she could have been written as the voice of grace and mercy for the viewing audience.