Schwester Maria Bonaventura

When there is a flooding in Norfolk, many locals move with pets and animals to the local convent and hospital that is isolated from the mainland when the dam collapses. Sister Mary Bonaventure (Claudette Colbert) coordinates the arrangement with the Mother Superior (Gladys Cooper) to lodge and feed the unsheltered people. Soon she meets Valerie Carns (Ann Blyth), who was convicted for fratricide and condemned to the gallows on the next day, but is trapped in the convent with Sgt Melling (Gavin Muir). Her brother Jason died of overdose and she was responsible to give his medicine to him. Sister Mary, who is the nurse of Dr. Edward Jeffreys (Robert Douglas), talks to Valerie and is convinced that she is innocent. Dr. Jeffreys' testimony in court was crucial for her sentence. His wife Isabel Jeffreys (Anne Crawford) is very sick in the hospital. Valerie asks Sister Mary to bring her fiancé Sidney Kingham (Philip Friend) to the convent, and she does to Norfolk by boat with the employee Willie (Michael Pate) to bring him to stay with Valerie in her last hours. Willie comments a letter that he kept with him and Sister Mary tries to find evidences in old newspaper that may prove Valerie's innocence.

"Thunder on the Hill" is a melodramatic film directed by Douglas Sirk and with Claudette Colbert and Ann Blyth in the lead roles. Despite the mystery, the plot is too religious and has many flaws. For example, how Sister Mary is convinced that Valerie is innocent after talking for a short period with a bitter and aggressive woman? How easy is to her to find evidences in the newspapers and no lawyer had given much attention to the detail. But for fans of old movies, there is not much importance these flaws. The performance of Claudette Colbert is great. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Agonia de Uma Vida" ("Agony of a Life")

One needs to enter into the atmosphere of this taut emotional story to really appreciate the fine acting done by all. Have seen "Thunder on the Hill" countless times and it's still riveting. The dialogue unfolds splendidly like a fine dramatic stage play of intrigue and mystery.

Claudette Colbert gives a fine performance as Sister Mary who is haunted by certain memories of her past and yet feels compelled to do what is right according to her conscience even though it conflicts with those in authority especially Mother Superior (Gladys Cooper).

Ann Blyth as Valerie really does make one feel that life is very precious - no one wants to die when there's so much to live for especially when young, very much in love and with plans to marry being dashed by this unjust verdict of guilty which will destroy everything.

Philip Friend as Sidney, Valerie's intended, is distraught with despair but eventually comes round and being convinced of her innocence tries to help in some way, offering Valerie his love and support in their emotionally charged scenes together.

Michael Pate as simple-minded Willie does add texture to the story of intrigue in the beginning - he holds an important letter - his voice and minor dialogue reveal a well-acted character role.

Robert Douglas as the doctor is suave and believable (well-oiled you might say) and he cares for his wife's delicate mental condition to the extent of becoming very possessive and controlling which becomes his downfall eventually.

It's a strong story of deep human conflict that everyone can relate to. One of my favourites.

This film is based on a play, entitled BONAVENTURE, the title of which refers to the lead character, the nun named Sister Mary Bonaventure. But the film was released in 1951 as THUNDER ON THE HILL and has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray recently under that title as well. The story is highly dramatic, indeed can properly be described as a melodrama, and is powerfully directed by Douglas Sirk. It is set in the county of Norfolk, 8 miles from the city Norwich. Enormous floods have made the land impassable, so that some travellers cannot reach Norwich and they take refuge in a large convent, where they are welcomed by the sisters, who feed and shelter them. Amongst those taking refuge there are a policeman and a woman prisoner, as well as her female guard. We learn that she is on her way to Norwich to be executed for murder, and is due to be hung by the neck on a gallows the very next morning. But she will be late for her own execution, because there is no way to get to Norwich, and the phone lines are down so that a police boat cannot be summoned either. This sets the scene for a high intensity situation. A very saintly young nun feels instinctively when she meet the supposed murderess that she is really innocent. The nun is played by Claudette Colbert, and the condemned girl by Ann Blyth. The cinematography is terrific, evoking moods and atmospheres with every shot, and is by William H. Daniels. The combination of his camera work, Sirk's direction, and standout performances by the actors (Gladys Cooper play the Mother superior) make the drama immensely powerful. This is a major early work by Douglas Sirk. And it focuses intently on questions of guilt and innocence, and highly emotional scenes with a great deal of tension, as the confrontations play out one after the other, things are revealed, and there are surprises in store.

There really isn't anything to criticize about this movie. The plot was interesting and well handled; the cast was good. This is a solid movie and well worth watching.

After a season of heavy rains, the Norfolk dykes overflow. Refugees gather at the convent on the hill. It's not only local townsfolk who seek shelter. Convicted murderess Ann Blyth is stranded on her way to be hanged for killing her brother. Sister Claudette Colbert doesn't see how this lovely creature could have murdered anyone. She begins to investigate. Can she prove Miss Blyth innocent before the waters recede?

Although best remembered these days for his cynical depictions of middle-class America, director Douglas Sirk is adept at portraying the humble arrogance of nuns. Certainly the performances are all excellent; I was particularly impressed by Connie Gilchrist as a shrewd and sympathetic nun. DP William H. Daniels matches the lighting levels to the dark of the storms and the hopelessness of Miss Blyth's plight. Still, in the end, it's another murder mystery and you know the actual murderer will turn up among the people stranded at the convent.