The Nun's Story (1959)

Set in the late 1920s, a young Belgian girl (Audrey Hepburn in an Oscar nominated performance) enters a convent of nursing sisters with the hope of  serving in the Belgian Congo. But try as she might, she finds it difficult to adapt to the restricting rules of convent life. Based on the novel by Kathryn Hulme and directed by Fred Zinnemann (A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS). Widely regarded as Audrey Hepburn's best performance (New York film critics best actress award) and justly so and the film itself is quite impressive. Even before production began, the film makers were sensitive to possible objections by the Catholic church and sought their cooperation. It's a somber but insightful film and unlike many movies about nuns (like THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S or COME TO THE STABLE), it is without a dose of any sentiment. The superb underscore is by Franz Waxman. The large but excellent supporting cast includes Peter Finch, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Dean Jagger, Colleen Dewhurst, Beatrice Straight, Mildred Dunnock, Patricia Collinge, Barbara O'Neil, Rosalie Crutchley, Ruth White, Niall MacGinnis, Margaret Phillips and Dorothy Alison.