Greetings gentle readers and welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today it’s a story of the contemplative life set in a Benedictine cloister: In This House of Brede.
and here’s next week’s movie, Salt for Svanetia:
Reviews of In This House of Brede:
Letterboxd says:
i was assigned this for theology class and i expected a mediocre at best kinda movie, so i was really pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it. the writing definitely falls into the book to movie adaptation pit of trying to fit a whole lot and ending up just going from bit to bit without really dwelling on any of the emotions. that said, the actresses carry this thing so well with performances that really bring so much depth and humanity to the characters they portray.
and
Anyway, in her honour, I chose to watch the 1975 film In This House of Brede, which I found on YouTube, where she played a businesswoman who abandons her job and her lover to become a Benedictine nun at Brede Abbey. I’ll start off by saying that I’m not religious. I only watched it because Diana played a leading role; a rare treat for me as I’m used to seeing her as a supporting player with more well-known people, which in turn became distracting because of their huge star power. I find it bothersome seeing her being shoved aside in favour of bigger stars, so watching this film was a refreshing experience for me as she was surrounded by lesser known actors, which I think helped made her more noticeable.
Diana expertly tackled the task of playing a main character with seemingly no trouble at all. She appeared to be comfortable in the role, playing it to her strengths without batting an eyelid. She gave an underrated performance of her career, one that is shamefully overlooked. She was deservedly nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress for her efforts, but unfortunately didn’t win it.
It’s a shame she wasn’t bold enough to take any more main roles like this since then. She seemed to be capable of doing just that, and I was a little disappointed that she didn’t pull the same trick again. Heads would’ve turned and she would’ve won an armful of awards if she did. She deserves them all.The film isn’t too complicated to follow, it’s pretty much an easy watch. It might not be anything of high art, but it’s worth watching for Diana Rigg’s fantastic heavyweight performance not only as a starring figure, but as an actress.
A surprising treat that more people need to watch for fans of the divine old lady. Religious or not, you’ll be spellbound by the end either way.
R.I.P. Diana Rigg. (1938-2020)
and
Simple yet emotionally effective TV movie. The costume, set, and sound departments did a good job respecting the life and sounds of the Benedictine nuns. Diana Rigg is definitely a shining star, but the other actresses are good. My only real complaint is that some of the conflicts could’ve been resolved much quicker with earlier communication.
My take: This is a sweet, peaceful film. It’s an interesting glimpse into the lives of a community of cloistered nuns and the experiences of a worldly woman who decides to join them. There is conflict, but it’s the conflict of people who are deeply invested in examining their thoughts and actions in light of their beliefs. The little things matter to these women. I’m awarding it ⭐⭐s, definitely worth watching again.
Plot (Spoilers!):
Phillipa Talbot (Rigg) is a powerful, successful London businesswoman. She eats in fine restaurants. She is having an affair with a handsome man. She dresses the part. And she decides to give it all up to become a nun.
She enters the abbey of Brede and embarks on her spiritual journey. It’s not easy. Old temptations like cigarettes beckon. Another nun, who has never known the lay world, is jealous of her beauty and her former life. She forms a close friendship with a younger nun in a world where no one is to be singled out for a special relationship.
But she grows into her new life. Her temptations fall away. She makes peace with her detractor. She helps her young friend to realize that their friendship cannot be theirs alone but that all of the sisters must be held in the same regard. In the film’s conclusion, she is chosen to lead a new Benedictine effort in Japan. We are left with the feeling that she has found the peace she sought.
Bonus Jazz:
The Peaceful Side of Billy Strayhorn:
Billy Strayhorn has become one of my favorite Jazz artists, he had such a delicate touch. Enjoy!
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I’m re-linking last week’s move Yeelen in case anyone missed it due to the war breaking out:
The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: Yeelen (Brightness) Run Time 1H 38M
8 comments
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I honestly don’t know where you find all these great films. I’m assuming that you have a helluva DVD collection as well but thanks for introducing all these great films each and every week.
It’s my pleasure Rev. I have multiple sources for movies. All are online
A plot tailor made for today’s tempestuous culture.
Phyllis and I enact this passionate play every once in awhile. Eventually, the conflict resolves from cries of rage into cries from the heart.
Roughly, the dialectic between the troubles of belief and the comforts of doubt.
Stay safe.
Not into movies much but Rumer Godden was a primary author of my upbringing say 9 – 17 from my mum the Highland Scot. Thanks for reminding me; a used library copy of the Mousewife with original drawings of William Pene Du Bois from e-bay on the way. Naked Capitalism lays golden eggs that hatch
in her commentariat. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
A real life nun’s story: from Come Fly With Me to a convent. Dolores Hart.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366247/
I haven’t seen the above but I did once see Diana Rigg in a play in London. Perhaps the best of all nun movies is the one with Audrey Hepburn.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nun%27s_Story_(film)
Thank You for the Billy Strayhorn compositions, an album I wasn’t familiar with until now.
He was a remarkable composer and, I believe, a key part of the success of The Duke Ellington Band.
I actually recall seeing this made-for-TV movie when it first aired on CBS in 1975. The daily life (along with accompanying drama) of Benedictine nuns in some far-off abbey in the British isles was certainly not in the forefront of my mind at that time but I remember finding the film surprisingly compelling. It’s good to know it’s available for viewing (or viewing again) online for free.
And I did, today, come across this somewhat critical “user” comment on IMDb, stating some reservations about the film, specifically the depiction of cloistered life:
Obviously, I have no idea if any of that is true or not, although I have no reason to disbelieve it—and that one individual’s experience might not be generalizable to all similar environments—but if what it says is true, then life in such a place is perhaps even more circumscribed than reflected in the movie. Of course, none of that detracts from the movie as engrossing drama and perhaps some liberties for that purpose can be taken.