Léon Morin, Priest (1961)

In the heart of World War II, widow Barny witnesses the arrival of Italian soldiers in the occupied hamlet of Saint Bernard, on her daily commute. Living with her daughter, she works as a test corrector, and is irresistibly drawn to her boss, Sabine. The tides turn when the Germans land, compelling Barny to send her half-Jewish daughter away to the safety of a rural farm. The arrest and subsequent dispatch of Sabine's brother to a concentration camp fills Barny with dread. As an atheist, she takes a drastic step to safeguard her daughter, deciding to have her baptized. This leads her to Priest Léon Morin, a man with whom she delves deep into discourses about religion and Catholicism, and from whom she borrows enlightening books. Gradually, Barny finds herself drawn into the fold of Catholicism, growing more attached to Léon in the process. Feelings of unrequited desire stir within her, making her journey of faith all the more complex. The narrative unfolds, revealing the intricacies of their relationship, set against the backdrop of a world at war.

Léon Morin, Priest is a drama movie featuring Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Léon Morin, Priest is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Criterion Channel.