The Amazing Story of How Ingrid Bergman of "Casablanca" Fame Came to Christ

Teresa Neumann : Feb 1, 2016
J. Christy Wilson - Movieguide

Actors may strive to live their lives out of the public eye, but in the end, good or bad, their words and deeds come to light - which makes good stories like this all the more encouraging. The next time we assume a celebrity is beyond redemption, remember Ingrid Bergman. Because the fact is, though humans may grow weary of hope and lack in faith, God never does.

(Hollywood, CA) - "Casablanca." "Notorious." "Joan of Arc."  World-famous actress Ingrid Bergman starred in all these iconic films and many more. (Photo: MOVIEGUIDE)

One film she starred in that may not be as well known, but is a great classic in its own right is "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" - based on the true life of British missionary Gladys Aylward. 

Aylward worked closely with Jenny Lawson, a woman who started an inn to reach travelling Chinese workers. Chinese Christianity teaches that, in addition to the "five joys" of life, the term "sixth happiness" is the Gospel. 

In WWII, during the Japanese invasion, Aylward braved a long perilous journey to lead over 100 Chinese orphans through treacherous territory to safety. 

History reveals that Aylward was upset that Bergman had been chosen to play her in the film based on her life, primarily because Bergman had notoriously borne children out of wedlock to Italian producer Roberto Rossellini. One of those children is actress Isabella Rossellini. Aylward, along with Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, whom she prayed with often, committed the matter to prayer. 

But, according to J. Christy Wilson, author of "More to be Desired Than Gold: A Collection of True Stories," Bergman became so deeply moved playing the part of Aylward, she made a special trip to Taiwan in 1970 to meet her. 

Sadly, while Bergman was en route, Aylward died. 

As related in a Movieguide report, when Bergman was shown the room where Aylward had lived, she "fell down beside Gladys' bed and wept, saying she was unworthy to have played the life of such a woman of God." 

Realizing it was a divine appointment, Katherine Smith, Aylward's co-worker who had escorted Bergman to the deceased missionaries home, led Bergman in the sinner's prayer. Bergman then, she said, immediately received Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

Twelve years later, in 1982, Bergman passed away of cancer.  

To read more fascinating details about Aylward, Bergman and "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" click here.