This is the classic, mutiple award-winning film by Robert Bresson,
based on the famous novel by George Bernanos, that tells the story of a
frail young priest who arrives in a rural French parish in spiritual
decline. Vulnerable in his inexperience, he meets with indifference,
scorn and open mockery. Through his diary entries, the young priest
relays the spiritual meaning of suffering and persecution, conversion
and incorrigibility, and the dark night of the soul. Amidst physical
and spiritual struggles, failure and rejection, the priest accepts all
with submission, turning them into a kind of victory, a grace.
"One of the most profound emotional
experiences in the history of film." —Pauline Kael
"A sublime achievement of pure cinema . . .
the triumph of cinematic realism." —Andre Bazin
"A masterpiece, beyond question." —The Chicago Reader
A Criterion Collection DVD in new high definition digital
transfer with restored image & sound. Special features include
deleted scenes, audio commentary by historian Peter Cowie, a RSDL
dual-layer edition, and more. French with English subtitles. Movie shown in Black & White.