Catholics love movies about nuns—and we’ve got plenty to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for a preconciliar classic like “The Bells of St. Mary’s” or a heartfelt indie comedy like “Little Sister,” or just your 15th comfort-watch of “Sister Act 2,” the cinematic sisterhood is there for you. There aren’t quite so many great movies about priests, but there are still enough to fill an Advent calendar, from “Becket” to “I Confess” to “The Exorcist” to “Doubt.”
But what about other niches in the vocational ecology? Try to come up with a list of great films about monks or friars, and at best you’ll be able to scrape together a handful. There are some truly excellent films about monks, with deep insights into the love of God and the nature of sacrifice. But why aren’t there more? And what does this absence cost us?
[Be sure to read it all, as Eve has a great list of movies featuring monks. But I suspect the answer to her main question — why so many more movies about nuns — is probably a prurient interest from both studios and audiences in nuns. — Ed]
Join the conversation as a VIP Member