Harockerce What a beautiful movie!

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

sheltiemom13 I saw this movie about 45 yrs ago,on television, I've shown the DVD to anyone who will watch it.. One of my favorites. It's about people who do the right thing regardless of the consequences. Both the Nuns and the Italian soldiers collaborate to help Jewish children escape from the local concentration camp. The German soldiers were not made into caricatures,which is a welcome relief. It is not an action packed movie but rather deals with character emotions and outcomes. It was interesting to see the lack of knowledge that the Nuns had about Jewish religion in WWII. They had to research the holy day of Yum Kippur. The thinking of the Vatican back then,almost placed the Jewish faith at odds with Christian beliefs.

robert-connor Towards the end of the second world war, an order of Italian nuns makes all attempts to secure the freedom of Jewish children held captive in a local concentration camp. However when the camp comes under the direct control of German troops, the Sisters' task becomes increasingly dangerous.Combing elements of The Von Trapp Story and Black Narcissus, Conspiracy of Hearts is a surprisingly powerful depiction of the clash between faith and might, as Palmer's Mother Superior stands firm against Lieven's uncompromising Nazi Colonel. The question of conscience and commitment to duty is repeatedly explored, from the perspective of both nun and soldier - Mitchell's Sister Gerta fears and doubts the Holy Order's actions, Sims' novitiate Sister Mitya is forced to confront her feelings towards Lewis's Major Spoletti, who in turn must choose between military duty and moral salvation. The juxtaposition between Catholicism and Judaism is also fascinatingly explored as the Sisters struggle to comprehend the facets of a different faith.Universally well-performed by the ensemble, as usual its the supporting performances that stand out - Yvonne Mitchell was a power-house actress and at the peak of her film career (shockingly she is all but forgotten now), and her transformation from angry doubter to selfless devotee is totally believable. In addition, Ralph Thomas coaxes extraordinary performances from his juvenile cast - Rebecca Dignam and Joseph Cuby are beautifully moving without being cutesy or maudlin (Hollywood child actors take note!). At the heart, Palmer creates a depiction of quiet strength, dignity and humour even if we could have coped with a little less lipstick and mascara!

bob the moo A local chapter of nuns in Italy do their bit for good by giving refuge to Jewish children who they smuggle out of an Italian internment camp. Their actions are noted by the camp commander but he and his men turn a blind eye to it. However when Mussolini is disposed the Germans take over the area and the camp. When one of the nuns is shot dead outside the camp, it is evident that the stakes have been raised but yet Mother Katherine is determined to preserve.(Edit: another user correctly spotted that I had mistaken the work of this Thomas with that of his brother Gerald, but since it was a mistake I made, I have left it in all its glory). With "Carry On" and "Doctor" series director Ralph Thomas at the helm I wasn't exactly hoping for much from a film that otherwise looked like it could be an engaging drama about the fate of children during the war. As it is though the film is played very straight and has nothing in common with the type of films that Thomas is more famous for. Of course this is not to say that it is brilliant because, in being so straight, it is surprisingly bland. Everything is painted in black and white (no nun pun intended) and the emotions are very basic and broad. The situation itself may make it interesting for some but to me I got tired of the very obvious struggles and relationships within the story and must admit that none of it really captured my imagination or my heart.Thomas delivers it with a constant air of sincere seriousness throughout but yet this is part of the problem as he seems afraid to do anything too complex or interesting with it. The script doesn't help him as it is full of flat lines and cloying sentiment. Maybe I'm being unfair to expect more but these two things prevent it from being anything better than a basic family drama. The cast generally aren't able to step up beyond this. The officers are generally quite colourful characters but the nuns are mostly dull and lacking character. Palmer is the stern one and there are pretty ones, older ones, disapproving ones c; none of them have much to work with and the performances match the basic level of the performance. The children are the poshest and most English "Italian Jews" that I have ever seen and they simply don't convince and show a real laziness in the casting side of things.Overall then a sincere and serious drama that plays it all very straight and offers nothing complex, challenging or interesting to work with. The cast plod along with this approach and aren't able to do much to counter the safe material served up. Undemanding families will maybe enjoy it as a matinée.

sol- An appropriately solemn and always very compelling Holocaust era film, it is quite competently acted, especially by the child actors and actresses, who give off realistic and believable performances. In particular, Rebecca Dignam stands out as a child who the nuns take a special liking to. The plot line sounds rather ordinary but it works well, providing a fine and interesting tale. The film is, however, a bit too melodramatic, and on top of that it ends unrealistically. But for what it is, it is very good. Based on a story by Adrian Scott, it went credited to Dale Pitt due to blacklisting, but either way Robert Presnell Jr.'s screenplay is generally fine.