Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Gary L. Thompson I had absolutely no knowledge of the "Miracle of the Bells" when it came on TV in a colorized version a number of years ago, as one of those SFM or Hallmark weekend special presentations (a recurring image I recall was bells pealing and swinging as the announcer said "And now back to the Miracle of the Bells"). It started out as Fred MacMurray playing the type of hardboiled role he was known for in his film noir movies, this time mysteriously appearing in a small town to arrange a funeral. I admit it--the movie grabbed me as the funeral proceeded and the background of the movie's characters slowly became unveiled, and the tension built through various plot twists until the eventual happy ending (face it, it's just about impossible to review this movie without giving away much of the plot). I never saw the movie again until Turner Classics unearthed it again for a holiday showing--and its magic was as strong as ever.I might give a little advisory here--contrary to other reviews, Frank Sinatra was not in this movie, at least not for me. When I first saw this movie, I didn't connect the priest in any way with the very well-known rough Rat Packer of the 1960s and 1970s. That's maybe why I took the character at face value, a green kid presiding over a parish that has seen its better days, but by flashes he increasingly shows the growing capacity to meet the phenomenon that is overtaking him and his flock. Of course I recognized him this time around, but Frankie's performance still holds up for me.The leading lady's performance was absolutely luminescent, and that scene at the Chinese restaurant was indeed a gem as others have pointed out. And MacMurray is definitely at the heart of this movie, his chemistry with Cobb, Sinatra, and Valli (and later with the reporters) is what makes the whole story work--certainly has to be one of the highlights of a great career. The title is strange in a way, in that the movie (and reviewers) go out of the way to emphasize there is nothing really miraculous about the events of this movie. I venture to disagree. There is something miraculous about the way these events worked on the characters of the leads, so that MacMurray, Sinatra, Cobb and the population of Coaltown itself are far different people at the end of the movie than at the beginning. Yeah, it's not perfect, the movie does lag and hit its points with a heavy hammer in spots, but, to steal a line from another miracle movie, "Miracle on 34th Street"-- this movie was declared special and a classic on TV years ago, and years later I have to say, professionally and personally I have to agree with them!

Catharina_Sweden I think this movie was a little of a disappointment, because I had expected much more. I love movies about the Catholic faith, Catholic priests, mysteries and miracles - and the posters and PR for this movie promised just this.Instead the movie turned out - not bad, but not great either. A bit lame. Frank Sinatra as the Priest was not in it that much - he was only a supporting actor. And he is not at all to compare with Bing Crosby as the charming, likable and charismatic Father O'Malley - which I believe Hollywood wanted us to believe in its advertisements... I think it was also probably a mistake to show Frank Sinatra directly beside the tall and stately Fred MacMurray, because it made Sinatra at 170 cm:s look so insignificant. As singing is Sinatra's main ability, it was also a pity that he sung only one short song (and it was not one of his best singing performances either).Furthermore, I think something in the pacing and planning of the movie was wrong. It sprawls into too many directions - one does not know what is the main subject of it. It ought to have been shorter, and more straightened up and to the point....but despite of its faults, this movie is still watchable, and quite fine and moving at times!

psychrn7n A wonderful movie. Should be seen by all who seek inspiration. Alida Valley should have been nominated for an Academy Award. Fred Mac Murray and Frank Sinatra were wonderful. I didn't know that Sinatra acted when he was so young. I found it interesting how he was dwarfed by the size of Fred Mac Murray. I saw the colorized version, which was very nice. The photography was enchanting. After you watch it, read the Wikipedia article on Joan of Arc. A true saint. I have seen a recent movie about Joan of Arc and enjoyed it also. Movies can be very inspirational, especially when people are going through hard times. I would love to see more categorized that way.

anghmho The two things are, first, Alida Valli's whistling S's whenever she spoke. It wasn't what you sometimes used to hear in Texas speech (no idea what that was about; you don't hear it anymore. Even LBJ used to do it) or the whistling that used to be associated with false teeth. I don't know what it was, but it was certainly distracting. Second, I don't understand why everybody thinks she was so good looking; she was certainly no Garbo and not nearly as good an actress.I have seen The Paradine Case and The Third Man (another of my favorites), and I still don't understand why she was considered so hot at the time. Not all that great looking, not much presence, and not a really outstanding actress. Maybe my impression is not unique, and maybe that's the reason she had such a short career in American films.Am I wrong?