Overview
A heartwarming tale of faith and perseverance in a struggling school.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- gentle
- sentimental
- lighthearted
- family viewing
- holiday viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the excellent ensemble acting, emotional simplicity, and gentle heart while noting its unavoidable similarity to Going My Way.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict focus on preserving St. Mary's and helping its pupils through concrete acts of care.
Father O'Malley's unconventional approach to education repeatedly conflicts with Sister Benedict's disciplined methods while they pursue the same goal.
The run-down parochial school faces condemnation, motivating the central effort to secure a neighboring building and protect the institution.
The film combines Crosby's easy charm, Bergman's earnest authority, good-natured disagreements, and scenes designed to tug at the heart.
Films like The Bells of St. Mary's, and why
Going My Way
gentle religious comedy-drama centered on a warm, unconventional priest and community service
The Trouble with Angels
black-and-white classic comedy-drama with Catholic themes, benevolent authority figures, and emotional uplift
The Song of Bernadette
sentimental ensemble drama about institutional community, kindness, and faith under pressure
Movie Details
- Director
- Leo McCarey
- Release Date
- 1945-12-27
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (155)
Cast
- Bing Crosby
- Ingrid Bergman
- Henry Travers
- William Gargan
- Ruth Donnelly
- Joan Carroll
- Martha Sleeper
- Rhys Williams
- Richard Tyler
- Una O'Connor
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, MovieMe
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Bells of St. Mary's about?
- A charming priest and determined nun unite to rescue their threatened Catholic school despite clashing over how best to guide its children.
- What is The Bells of St. Mary's like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bells of St. Mary's as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Bells of St. Mary's violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Bells of St. Mary's.
- What did critics think of The Bells of St. Mary's?
- Critics broadly praised the excellent ensemble acting, emotional simplicity, and gentle heart while noting its unavoidable similarity to Going My Way.
- Which films are like The Bells of St. Mary's?
- Films with a similar feel include Going My Way, The Trouble with Angels, and The Song of Bernadette.
- How long is The Bells of St. Mary's?
- The Bells of St. Mary's runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Bells of St. Mary's?
- In United States, The Bells of St. Mary's streams on Philo.
