Diary of a Country Priest: The Transcendent on Film
Journal of Religion & Film October 1, 2006 DOI: 10.32873/uno.dc.jrf.10.02.01 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the film's art lies in its dramatization of mystical experiences, making viewing the film a spiritual experience for many viewers. |
Abstract
Abstract Recognized as a masterpiece of French cinema, Robert Bresson's Diary of a Country Priest (1951) dramatizes a young priest's encounters with grace during the months he spends in his first parish in the rural village of Ambricourt. During this time, the priest keeps a journal in which he records both the outer events of his life in Ambricourt and his inner experiences of a transcendent reality. The art of this film lies in its dramatization of these mystical experiences, making viewing the film a spiritual experience for many viewers.