Miracle at Moreaux
Encyclopedia
Miracle at Moreaux is a 1986 Made-for-TV film based on the novel Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop
. Set in France
, the movie was filmed in Quebec
and aired on PBS.
), after their guide taking them to Spain is killed. The children arrive while the school is putting on a Nativity pageant
, and in a quick act of thinking, Sister Gabrielle pretends the three children are her students. The children remain in the school for some time while Nazis in the area, led by Sargeant Schlimmer (Robert Joy
) hunt for them in the forests surrounding the convent. Sister Gabrielle takes great lengths to keep the children's identity a secret, but Sargeant Schlimmer is suspicious and continues to believe that the children could be hiding in the school. Meanwhile, the Jewish children have to cope with some of the Christian students who have negative attitudes towards Jews. Gradually, after teaching them about their religion, they win them over and become friends with the other children. Eventually, the entire school helps the children escape when they confuse the Nazis by dressing the Jewish and Catholic children in each other's clothing during a school play. While the Nazi soldiers are distracted by the wrong children, the real Jewish children flee towards the border and escape into Spain.
Claire Huchet Bishop
Claire Huchet Bishop was a children's novelist and librarian, winner of the Newbery Honor for Pancakes-Paris and All Alone and the Josette Frank Award for Twenty and Ten...
. Set in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the movie was filmed in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and aired on PBS.
Summary
In the film, three Jewish children fleeing the Nazis take refuge in a French convent and boarding school run by a Catholic nun, Sister Gabrielle (Loretta SwitLoretta Swit
Loretta Swit is an American stage and television actress known for her character roles. Swit is best-known for her portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H.-Early life:...
), after their guide taking them to Spain is killed. The children arrive while the school is putting on a Nativity pageant
Nativity play
A Nativity play or Christmas pageant is a play which recounts the story of the Nativity of Jesus. It is usually performed at Christmas, the feast of the Nativity.-Liturgical:...
, and in a quick act of thinking, Sister Gabrielle pretends the three children are her students. The children remain in the school for some time while Nazis in the area, led by Sargeant Schlimmer (Robert Joy
Robert Joy
Robert Joy is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Sid Hammerback in CSI: NY and playing Charlie in Land of the Dead.-Early life:...
) hunt for them in the forests surrounding the convent. Sister Gabrielle takes great lengths to keep the children's identity a secret, but Sargeant Schlimmer is suspicious and continues to believe that the children could be hiding in the school. Meanwhile, the Jewish children have to cope with some of the Christian students who have negative attitudes towards Jews. Gradually, after teaching them about their religion, they win them over and become friends with the other children. Eventually, the entire school helps the children escape when they confuse the Nazis by dressing the Jewish and Catholic children in each other's clothing during a school play. While the Nazi soldiers are distracted by the wrong children, the real Jewish children flee towards the border and escape into Spain.