The Bells of St. Mary's1945The Bells of St. Mary's
1945
Easygoing Father O'Malley is sent to a crumbling parish school run by the determined Sister Benedict. Between boxing lessons, a Christmas pageant, a troubled new student, and a hard-hearted businessman's new building next door, priest and nun learn to work, and pray, together.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A priest and a nun of very different temperaments serve a struggling school with faith, wit, and prayer. It shows a broken family restored and a businessman's heart softened.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
A student's father has abandoned her mother (handled gently), there's a schoolyard fistfight, and Sister Benedict's illness is kept from her. Sister teaches a bullied boy to box, which is worth discussing.
The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- How were Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict different? Who was right about the boxing?
- Why did Mr. Bogardus change his mind?
- Why did Patsy fail her exam on purpose?
- What did you think of the way the sisters prayed for the building?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: a mild schoolyard fistfight; nothing else flagged.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Bells of St. Mary's Blu-ray (Olive Signature)
Blu-ray · November 26, 2019
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.