A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Powell and Pressburger never cease to amaze me with every film I watch of theirs. The Red Shoes is no doubt their masterpiece, but Black Narcissus is just as visually stunning and ahead of its time.
Starring Deborah Kerr, Black Narcissus follows a group of nuns who try to fight temptation backdropped by the cold Himalayan's. The plot is pretty simple, but its acting is great and the cinematography is stunning. Winning Best Color Cinematography and Best Set Design, Black Narcissus is a dazzling film that doesn’t feel like a 1947 product at all. Which starts to feel like redundant thing to say about every Powell and Pressburger film.
Powell and Pressburger never cease to amaze me with every film I watch of theirs. The Red Shoes is no doubt their masterpiece, but Black Narcissus is just as visually stunning and ahead of its time.
Starring Deborah Kerr, Black Narcissus follows a group of nuns who try to fight temptation backdropped by the cold Himalayan's. The plot is pretty simple, but its acting is great and the cinematography is stunning. Winning Best Color Cinematography and Best Set Design, Black Narcissus is a dazzling film that doesn’t feel like a 1947 product at all. Which starts to feel like redundant thing to say about every Powell and Pressburger film.
1
M Hansen
7.0★ · 11/02/23
Before I get into this story aspect of this movie, I just want to say that the restoration and the composition of the film are GORGEOUS. Much to be expected in a “The Archers” Powell and Pressburger directed and produced affair. This team had an incredible eye of having color muted (or in some cases color absent) scenes story-boarded with the eye catching technicolor sequences that really draw in the viewer and capture their undivided attention. HOWEVER, the themes and dialogue in this story are incredibly dated and offensive to South and Central Asian people (I think there is a guy doing straight up brown face in this) and women in their religious relationships with God and Celibacy. This spoiler-ridden review by Kristen B. is a fantastic read and points out many of the dated and misogynistic beats of this story.
It’s really pretty, but those are the only legs it has.
Before I get into this story aspect of this movie, I just want to say that the restoration and the composition of the film are GORGEOUS. Much to be expected in a “The Archers” Powell and Pressburger directed and produced affair. This team had an incredible eye of having color muted (or in some cases color absent) scenes story-boarded with the eye catching technicolor sequences that really draw in the viewer and capture their undivided attention. HOWEVER, the themes and dialogue in this story are incredibly dated and offensive to South and Central Asian people (I think there is a guy doing straight up brown face in this) and women in their religious relationships with God and Celibacy. This spoiler-ridden review by Kristen B. is a fantastic read and points out many of the dated and misogynistic beats of this story.
It’s really pretty, but those are the only legs it has.
1
Obi-Two
6.0★ · 02/07/25
Its not a phase sister Clodagh!
Its not a phase sister Clodagh!
danny
7.4★ · 11/23/24
fantastique. nearly ate the screen every time there was a gorgeous matte painting of the mountains and valleys or studio lights arranged to look like golden hour. truly nature is an incomprehensible force that causes us to confront ourselves 😨
fantastique. nearly ate the screen every time there was a gorgeous matte painting of the mountains and valleys or studio lights arranged to look like golden hour. truly nature is an incomprehensible force that causes us to confront ourselves 😨
Gavin Prine
6.0★ · 05/02/26
I was honestly so bored watching this and was going to rate it lower, but the last 25 minutes were some of the most beautifully moody shots I’ve ever seen. I’ll definitely be rewatching this at some point.
BRING BACK TECHNICOLOR
I was honestly so bored watching this and was going to rate it lower, but the last 25 minutes were some of the most beautifully moody shots I’ve ever seen. I’ll definitely be rewatching this at some point.
