THUNDER ON THE HILL

US, 1951, 84 minutes, Black and white.
Claudette Colbert, Ann Blyth, Anne Crawford, Robert Douglas, Philip Friend, Gladys Cooper.
Directed by Douglas Sirk.

Thunder on the Hill was based on a popular play of the early '50s, Bonaventure by Charlotte Hastings. It was an entertaining English murder mystery. What made it more interesting was the convent setting during a village flood. The focus of the play is on Sister Bonaventure, her handling of the hospital situation, her believing in the innocence of Valerie, an accused murderess, and her attempts to prove her innocence. There is a final confrontation with her
religious superior about obedience, and with the doctor who committed the murders. This is enjoyably transferred to the screen in Hollywood style - with the Hollywood re-creation of England.

Claudette Colbert is very good in a strong old-style nun performance. Gladys Cooper is once again a religious
superior. Ann Blyth, with some echoes of her murderess in Mildred Pierce, is an attractive heroine. There is a strong supporting cast, especially of British actors resident in Hollywood. Direction is by Douglas Sirk, who was soon to make his mark with a series of romantic melodramas at Universal, e.g. Written on the Wind, Tarnished Angels, Imitation of Life, Magnificent Obsession.

1. An entertaining melodrama? Murder mystery? Interest, sentiment? Hollywood old style? The quality of its appeal?

2. The work of Douglas Sirk and his reputation? Universal Studios' presentation of England and its atmosphere? Black and white photography? The stars? The score?

3. Enjoyment of the murder mystery: clues, puzzle, suspects, sympathies? The final desperation? The background of the newspapers, the letter? The plausibility of the solution?

4. The tradition of films about religion and nuns? Dedication? Old style convent life? Hollywood presuppositions about holiness, commitment to work, prayer? Pious poses, heavenly choirs? The decisions that Sister Bonaventure made? The crises imposed by the superior? Audience response to Sister Bonaventure's behaviour, results?

5. The film based on a play - confined area, the film opening out the play - the trip to the town? The strength of the dialogue scenes? The clash of personalities? The climax?

6. The presentation of the convent: religious life, the superior and her relationship with the community, her decision about the letter and Sister Bonaventure's involvement in Valerie’s case? Sister Josephine and her joviality, her keeping of the papers and their later use? Prayer in the chapel? The work in the hospital? The villagers and their dependence on the Sisters? The sequence of the difficult birth? Themes of religious life: obedience, law?

7. Claudette Colbert's style as Sister Bonaventure: late vocation, her competence, her memories of her sister's death and her responsibility, repercussions and her seeing the same situation with Valerie? Trouble in the hospital, especially with the prim nurse? The situation of the flood? Helping the patients? Her relationship with the superior, discussions,
the later question of obedience and the burning of the 1&tter, the superior's final apology? The situation with Valerie in the convent? Their talks, Valerie's hostility, her asking for a miracle? Sister Bonaventure's treatment of Willie and understanding of him? His getting the boat and taking her to the town? Her pleading with Valerie's fiance? Her belief in Valerie's innocence? Her interaction with the doctor, with the police and their complaints? Sister Josephine and the newspapers? The discussions with Isabel and the final confrontation with the doctor? Sister Bonaventure as a woman, nun, woman of faith, coping with crises, learning about herself?

8. Valerie and her story, her bitterness, the villagers' reaction, the police escort? Her antagonism towards the people in the convent? Wanting a miracle? The meeting with Sidney? The change in her attitudes? The building up of hopes and their being dashed? The discussions with Sidney and her knowing that he did not believe her? The build-up to the climax? The background of her story. Jason and his music and her playing it. his liaison with Isabel?

9. Doctor Jeffrey’s and Isabel? Her nerves, seclusion, the doctor's dedication to his work, his pleasantness? The background of Jason and Isabel's letter? His drugging his wife? The struggle with Sister Bonaventure on the tower? His being taken away? The motives behind the murder?

10. Sister Josephine and her humour, reliance on the papers, helping in the solution?

11. Willie and his being retarded, helping, feeling insulted by Jason, the boat and breaking it, the letter and his being bashed? His contribution to the solution?

12. Sidney Kingham and his relationship with Valerie? The hesitation in belief? His coming back with Sister Bonaventure? The happy ending?

13. The villagers, their superstition, their hostility towards Valerie, the difficult birth and the blaming of Sister Bonaventure for her absence? Her nursing the child to health?

14. Entertainment value? Traditions of good and bad? Religious traditions?