Movies About Virgin Mary

From Robert Wise, starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn
Rated G

The Sound of Music is a musical drama film directed by Robert Wise in 1965. It is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The film stars Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp, Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp, and Eleanor Parker as Baroness Elsa Schraeder. The story follows Maria, a spirited young Austrian nun sent to take care of the seven children of the widowed Captain von Trapp. Maria brings music, joy, and life to the von Trapp family—all of whom she eventually wins over. As World War II looms on the horizon, Captain von Trapp must choose between his country and the woman he's fallen in love with. The film was a massive success, earning five Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, as well as being nominated for Best Picture. It is considered one of the most beloved musicals ever made, with its iconic songs and characters.

From Directors: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, starring Deborah Kerr, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Jenny Laird
Rated Not Rated

Black Narcissus is a 1947 British drama film directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It tells the story of five nuns from the British Raj who are sent to establish a school and hospital in the remote palace of a former general, perched high atop a Himalayan cliff. The nuns face tremendous difficulties in the unfamiliar environment, both physical and spiritual, and ultimately succumb to the exotic temptations and passions of their new home. The film stars Deborah Kerr, Sabu, Jean Simmons, and David Farrar. It won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.

From Peter Mullan, starring Eileen Walsh, Dorothy Duffy, Nora-Jane Noone, Anne-Marie Duff
Rated R

The Magdalene Sisters is a 2002 Irish drama film written and directed by Peter Mullan. It tells the story of four young women who were sent to Magdalene Asylums, Catholic institutions in Ireland where "fallen" women were sent to be reformed. The Magdalene Asylums were notorious for their mistreatment of the women and the film follows the stories of the four young women as they attempt to survive the harsh and oppressive environment. The film is based on real events, and focuses on themes of gender, religion and sexuality in Ireland. The film culminates in a triumphant escape of the four women from the asylum, and is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft
Rated Not Rated

The Nun's Story is a 1959 American drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans, and Peggy Ashcroft. The film is based on the 1956 autobiography of the same name by Kathryn Hulme. The story follows Gabrielle van der Mal, a young nurse in Belgium who decides to become a nun and join the Sisters of Lille. After a difficult period of training, Gabrielle takes her vows and takes on the name Sister Luke. She finds herself torn between her sense of dedication to her faith and her own desires. The film follows Sister Luke as she embarks on a journey around the world as a missionary, facing challenges and tests of her faith and commitment. Along the way, she must confront her innermost struggles and come to terms with her own identity. The film ultimately culminates in a difficult decision for Sister Luke as she must decide between continuing to live as a nun or returning to a life of freedom.

From Tim Robbins, starring Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry
Rated R

Dead Man Walking is a 1995 drama directed by Tim Robbins, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. The film tells the story of a nun, Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon), and her relationship with a convicted murderer, Matthew Poncelet (Penn). Sister Prejean becomes close to Poncelet in an attempt to help him come to terms with his pending execution. Along the way, she discovers the truth about the crime he was convicted of and finds herself struggling with the morality of the death penalty. The movie examines the effects of capital punishment on not only the condemned, but also on those he has left behind, as well as the wider societal implications of the death penalty. In its exploration of these themes, Dead Man Walking presents a thought-provoking look at the nature of justice, mercy and redemption.

From John Patrick Shanley, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis
Rated PG-13

Doubt is a 2008 period drama film directed by John Patrick Shanley, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play of the same name. Set in 1964, the film stars Meryl Streep as a hard-line nun who suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior toward a young student. The film also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis. The story follows Father Flynn (Hoffman), who is the parish priest at a Catholic school in the Bronx. Sister Aloysius (Streep), the strict principal of the school, begins to suspect Father Flynn of having inappropriate relations with a young black student named Donald Miller. Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn are forced to confront their different beliefs about the truth and the nature of doubt.

From Cristian Mungiu, starring Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuta, Dana Tapalaga
Rated Not Rated

Beyond the Hills is a 2012 Romanian drama film directed by Cristian Mungiu, starring Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur. It tells the story of two young women, Voichita and Alina, who have grown up together in an orphanage. When Alina returns to the orphanage after a long absence, Voichita feels a powerful connection between them. Voichita takes Alina to the village where she now lives and works at a convent. When Alina falls ill, the priest at the convent insists she must be exorcised of her demons, leading to a harrowing conflict between religious and psychological beliefs. The film examines the nature of faith, devotion, and our capacity for understanding and compassion.

From Ralph Nelson, starring Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann, Isa Crino
Rated Unrated

"Lilies of the Field" (1963) is a classic drama directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Sidney Poitier as Homer Smith, a drifter who stumbles upon a small community of German-speaking nuns in the Arizona desert. Desperate to build their chapel, the nuns ask Homer for help, but he is unwilling until he finds out that they are willing to pay him for his labor. With the money he earns, Homer is able to buy the building materials, repair the old chapel, and build a new one. Along the way, Homer teaches the nuns important lessons about hard work, faith, and the power of prayer. At the end of the movie, Homer is able to move on with his life, thankful for the time he spent with the nuns.

From Pawel Pawlikowski, starring Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik, Jerzy Trela
Rated PG-13

From Jean-Pierre Améris, starring Isabelle Carré, Ariana Rivoire, Brigitte Catillon, Noémie Churlet
Rated Not Rated

From Anne Fontaine, starring Lou de Laâge, Agata Buzek, Agata Kulesza, Vincent Macaigne
Rated PG-13

From Maggie Betts, starring Melissa Leo, Lisa Stewart, Alyssa Brindley, Chelsea Lopez
Rated R

From Norman Jewison, starring Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly, Anne Pitoniak
Rated PG-13

From Emile Ardolino, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena
Rated PG

From Margarethe von Trotta, starring Barbara Sukowa, Heino Ferch, Hannah Herzsprung, Lena Stolze
Rated Unrated

From Guillaume Nicloux, starring Pauline Etienne, Isabelle Huppert, Louise Bourgoin, Martina Gedeck
Rated Not Rated

From Leonardo Defilippis, starring Lindsay Younce, Leonardo Defilippis, Patti Defillipis, Melissa Sumpter
Rated PG

From William Riead, starring Juliet Stevenson, Rutger Hauer, Max von Sydow, Priya Darshini
Rated PG

From Bill Duke, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith, Barnard Hughes
Rated PG