This is a lovely chronicle of a minister's and his wife's life in the heart of the country .Susan Hayward has always been one of my favorite American actresses and she's perfect as a lady from the city who has to come to terms with a rural life ;I do not go much for Lundingan (whose character is called William!) but he's well cast as a reserved man and his laid-back (but warmful) performance fits the movie like a glove .
It may be King's "second song of Bernadette" ,although there are no miracles ; the life in the parish is based on a true story and it shows .Little moments of happiness (the renewal of the marriages in the church is a deeply moving moment in its simplicity ;the picnic; the yuletide) and big griefs (an epidemic, a drowning).
God is in the center of King's film ,but never,in a month of Sundays ,the minister imposes his faith,his ideas (remember the unforgettable opening lines of "the song of Bernadette"):the scene with the educated man (Alexander knox) is revealing ; but eventually , his children believe in Father Xmas and that's a start .
This charming movie was made seventy years ago and it has aged well;it possesses considerable appeal for fans of TV series such as "Little House".
And seventy years after this movie,catholic priests are always denied marriage ; it's a high mountain to climb!
It may be King's "second song of Bernadette" ,although there are no miracles ; the life in the parish is based on a true story and it shows .Little moments of happiness (the renewal of the marriages in the church is a deeply moving moment in its simplicity ;the picnic; the yuletide) and big griefs (an epidemic, a drowning).
God is in the center of King's film ,but never,in a month of Sundays ,the minister imposes his faith,his ideas (remember the unforgettable opening lines of "the song of Bernadette"):the scene with the educated man (Alexander knox) is revealing ; but eventually , his children believe in Father Xmas and that's a start .
This charming movie was made seventy years ago and it has aged well;it possesses considerable appeal for fans of TV series such as "Little House".
And seventy years after this movie,catholic priests are always denied marriage ; it's a high mountain to climb!