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The Bishop's Wife

Play trailer Poster for The Bishop's Wife 1948 1h 49m Holiday Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Dejected by his efforts to raise money to build a cathedral, Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) beseeches heaven for guidance, and is visited immediately by Dudley (Cary Grant), who claims to be an angel. Henry is skeptical, then annoyed when Dudley ingratiates himself into the household as his assistant -- and worse, wins the attentions of Henry's long-suffering and kindly wife (Loretta Young). When Dudley continues to intervene in Henry's struggles, the bishop decides to challenge heaven.
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The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop's Wife

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Critics Consensus

The Bishop's Wife succeeds thanks to the strength of winning performances from a stellar cast, which includes Cary Grant and Loretta Young.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Dec 7, 2022
4/5
There is a lot that’s beguiling in this fey and wayward piece with its very theatrical drawing room scenes. Go to Full Review Walter Goodman New York Times Jan 9, 2018
Whatever you make of the minor miracles performed along the way, there's no trouble believing that Cary would fall for Loretta or that anybody would fall for Cary. Go to Full Review Caren Weiner Campbell Entertainment Weekly Dec 4, 2012
B+
Grant's turn is thoroughly convincing because he himself appears to be having a terrific time: He's expansive, graceful, and seems always on the verge of chuckling with goodwill. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 3, 2020
3.5/4.0
The Bishop's Wife is a joyous film. Go to Full Review Brian Viner Daily Mail (UK) Dec 13, 2019
5/5
With the formidable Gladys Cooper and Elsa Lanchester in supporting roles, it's a sweet, funny, captivating, altogether delightful picture, which too often gets omitted from lists of greatest-ever Christmas films. Go to Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Dec 10, 2014
3/5
The playing from all three stars is enjoyable and the festive setting allows Grant to trim a Christmas tree with the flick of a finger. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Sep 18, 2026 A truly beautiful and enchanting Christmas movie. David Niven is the bishop, Loretta Young his wife. The bishop's preoccupation with getting a new cathedral bankrolled has caused him to drift further and further (what is the difference between further and farther, dear reader? I'm British and even I don't know) from his pastoral duties; worse, from the loving attention from/to his family. In crisis, he begs God for guidance. And lo! A mysterious stranger appears! The Bishop's Wife, aside from its cringeworthy ice-skating scene, is a magical movie. It concludes with one of the best movie speeches - actually a sermon - in the history of the cinema. There have been remakes, but seriously, don't sell your life short. This is it! See more Scott D @ZekesDad Jul 19, 2026 I love this movie. I watch it evey Christmas. Cary Grant is magical as the angel. David Niven has some great facial expressions that add to the humor. The special effect were pretty good for the day. See more Christine D @Roman49ers Jan 3, 2026 Its just not Christmas until Dudley shows up. A family favorite in our home for Christmas See more Dean S. @DeanDFW Dec 27, 2025 A sappy classic Xmas movie favorite in our house. See more Dave C @RT27591120 Dec 26, 2025 I find this lovely gentle film so much more uplifting than it's a wonderful life. I think its a hidden gem and even the special effect bring me happiness in there special way See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Dec 23, 2025 Cary Grant’s suave role as an abstract messenger attributes to what the holidays are about in this otherwise bland love story of little meaning to carry through. (B) See more Read all reviews
The Bishop's Wife

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Cast & Crew

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Henry Koster

Director

Cary Grant

Dudley

Loretta Young

Julia Brougham

David Niven

Henry Brougham

Monty Woolley

Prof. Wutheridge

James Gleason

Sylvester

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The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop's Wife (1947) The Bishop's Wife (1947) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Dejected by his efforts to raise money to build a cathedral, Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) beseeches heaven for guidance, and is visited immediately by Dudley (Cary Grant), who claims to be an angel. Henry is skeptical, then annoyed when Dudley ingratiates himself into the household as his assistant -- and worse, wins the attentions of Henry's long-suffering and kindly wife (Loretta Young). When Dudley continues to intervene in Henry's struggles, the bishop decides to challenge heaven.
Director
Henry Koster
Producer
Samuel Goldwyn
Screenwriter
Leonardo Bercovici, Robert Nathan, Robert E. Sherwood
Distributor
Home Box Office (HBO) [us], RKO Radio Pictures, Nelson Entertainment [us], Embassy Pictures, Pioneer Entertainment, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Genre
Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 16, 1948, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 5, 2014
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Mono
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