Act of the Heart
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Paul Almond
Geneviève Bujold
Donald Sutherland
Monique Leyrac
Bill, Canadian Mitchell
Suzanne Langlois
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Martha Hayes, a religious young woman from a rural province in Canada, arrives in Montreal to earn money for her parents and finds lodgings with Johane Foss, a widow who is seeking a tutor for her son, Russell. A Protestant who sings in the church choir, Martha is thrilled to be selected by Father Michael Ferrier, an Augustinian monk, to sing a solo in the church concert. Working closely with Martha, Father Ferrier explains the strict religious beliefs of his order, including St. Augustine's symbolic association with the flaming heart. Martha soon finds her feelings for Father Ferrier developing into love. When Russell is injured in a hockey game, Martha comforts Johane at the hospital by reminding her that God will look after her son, but when they receive news that Russell has died, Martha feels that God has abandoned her and rushes to Father Ferrier's church. They begin an emotional argument that ends with their making love in the church. Father Ferrier leaves his order to live with Martha, who takes a job singing in a nightclub, and Ferrier begins broadcasting a social crusade on radio and writing for a local newspaper. Disheartened by his crusade's lack of success, he explains to Martha that an "act of the heart" is needed to attract public attention. After Ferrier has left for a television program, Martha goes out to a field, pours gasoline on her head, and sets fire to herself.
Director
Paul Almond
Cast
Geneviève Bujold
Donald Sutherland
Monique Leyrac
Bill, Canadian Mitchell
Suzanne Langlois
Sharon Acker
Ratch Wallace
Jean Duceppe
Gilles Vigneault
Eric House
Jean Dalmain
Claude Jutra
François Tasse
Les Hurricane
Emard De Ville
Crew
Paul Almond
Paul Almond
Paul Almond
John Board
Jean Boffety
Canadian Film Development Corp.
Peter Carter
Harry Freedman
David Howells
John Knight
Jennings Lang
James D. Mitchell
Jean Patou
Frank Phillips
Anne Pritchard
Gilles Vigneault
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Location scenes filmed in Montreal and Rivière du Loup, Quebec. Opened in Montreal in September 1970 as Acte du coeur.
Miscellaneous Notes
The Country of Canada
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970
