MovieChat Forums > The Nun's Story (1959) Discussion > 1Question

1Question

posted 19 years ago by melissa-king
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In the scene soon after Sister Luke returns from The Congo, there's a scene of her in her convent quarters, an overhead shot of AH, with a voiceover of Peter Finch (Dr. Fortunati) questioning her ability to remain a nun. Then we hear the voice over of Mother Matilde (Peggy Ashcroft) asking Sister Luke if she's in love with Dr. Fortunati. I always thought this referred back to a scene in The Congo where she asked the Sister this question, but in the dvd no such scene appears. Isn't it odd that such a vitally important question about Sister Luke's obvious love for the Doctor is presented in such an offhand manner?

[–] Divtal-1 19 years ago

I have an older video (I'm replacing tapes, as they wear out or break), and there is no such scene in the African segment on my tape...I watched it, again, after seeing your post.

She IS warned, before meeting Dr. Fortunati, that he is "a man, a bachelor, and, I'm afraid, a non-believer." But, the only time you hear her being asked about feelings of love for him, is in the voice-over memory in Belgium.

I agree that it would seem an odd thing to edit from the film. Anyone else?

[–] bjuanjes 16 years ago

Easy one. Mail was read by superiors. The first part of the voice was Dr. Fortunati-- an obvious letter he sent to Sr. Luke. Therefore, it was logical that her superior asked, "Are you in love with him?" because it is obvious by his comments in his letter that they were at least friends, when he comments "that girl was meant to be a nun" referring to his replacement. His comments in his letter to her would have been considered extremely familiar for a doctor/colleague to adress a nun. Relationships were cordial, but not friedly.