Judi Dench Portrayal Of Philomena In The Movie Misleading And Untruthful, Nuns From The Sisters Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus And Mary Claims

The hit film Philomena which was based on the book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee" written by journalist and former New Labour spin doctor Martin Sixmith is now being questioned by the nuns from The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary.

The nuns that were being represented in the movie, which stars Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, claims that their reputation has been tainted by the movie. They also claim that the movie is being untruthful in its portrayal of the Irish sisters as "uncaring and heartless."

"We do feel however that the film, even though it is not a documentary, does not tell the whole truth and in many ways is very misleading," Sr Julie Rose of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary explained to Irish Independent.

In the film, Philomena Lee, portrayed by Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, an Irishwoman in her late years who became pregnant when she was a teenager was sent by her family to Roscrea, Co Tippery, a convent where the nuns are taking care of the pregnant teenage mother and let their baby get adopted.

Philomena Lee stayed at the convent after giving birth and when her son Anthony turned three, he was adopted to a family in the US. Following the adoption Philomena decided to hunt her son and led her to meet Martin Sixmith, played by Steve Coogan, who later joins her on the hunt and writes a book about it.

The movie's depiction that the nuns obstructed the attempts of Philomena and her son reunion and burning the records and getting paid through adoption was clearly objected by the nuns.

She also refuted that the nuns obliterated any of the adoption records and reiterated that they have never received any payments through adoption.

Sister Rose rebutted the claims: "We did not receive any payment of any nature in respect of any adoption." She also declared "the congregation did not destroy any records held by them over the years".

However, the movie's filmmaker, Pathe claimed that the nuns were informed about the scene where Sister Hildegarde McNulty accuses Philomena of giving into her "carnal desires,' was added.

Sister Julie made a statement on a Catholic magazine, The Tablet: "The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sr Hildegarde (which never occurred in reality) would be incorporated into the film and dramatic licence was the reason given to us."

In defense to Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, Sr Julie said that the late sister had been very active in helping many mothers and their children reunite.

Pathe's representative said that some scenes may have been in fact changed for "dramatic purposes," but still the story was "materially true."

He also claimed that they have attempted contacting the order twice last year to inform them about the screenplay but they did not get any formal response.

 "If the congregations have seen the film, they will know that it is not a diatribe against the Catholic Church but it does challenge the Church's instinct to conceal the original wrong and to refuse to apologise."