Black Narcissus

August. 13,1947      NR
Rating:
7.7
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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.

Deborah Kerr as  Sister Clodagh
David Farrar as  Mr. Dean
Flora Robson as  Sister Philippa
Kathleen Byron as  Sister Ruth
Sabu as  The Young General
Jean Simmons as  Kanchi
Jenny Laird as  Sister Honey
Judith Furse as  Sister Briony
Esmond Knight as  The Old General
May Hallatt as  Angu Ayah

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Reviews

Matialth
1947/08/13

Good concept, poorly executed.

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SpunkySelfTwitter
1947/08/14

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

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Chirphymium
1947/08/15

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

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Fatma Suarez
1947/08/16

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

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Alex da Silva
1947/08/17

Actually, watching the nuns in this film cook sausages would have increased the entertainment by a factor of 37. We needed to see some sausage cooking. Nothing happens in this film. What a boring waste of time the whole experience is. Basically, some nuns take over a derelict house high in the Himalayas in an attempt to provide teaching and medicine to the local community. Does this interesting plan work? I felt a bit disappointed in that I had bought this film on the recommendation of other reviewers. So, I'm here to redress the imbalance of those who have given nothing but praise for this snorefest. The film is filled with camp, over-acting nonsense, especially from Sister Kathleen Byron (Ruth) and caretaker May Hallatt (Angu). They put this film straight into the camp comedy genre. And what a total waste of Jean Simmons - she is coloured in brown and given no dialogue! This is one film that definitely needed some explosions, a car chase and some random nudity. You know, naughty nuns, that sort of thing. Be prepared for a very slow journey with a predictable ending. If you can't guess the ending early on, then may I suggest you go and join your local nunnery as this film has clearly been too over-stimulating. You must have been gripped. My recommendation would be to definitely watch a cookery programme over this tosh. Time for some sausages.

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anynameoriginal
1947/08/18

Could of, should of, would of been a classic if they just decided to include some action beyond the final minutes of the predictable anticlimactic ending. Watch it for the reasons listed, but don't expect anyone else to stay awake with you to the end unless they are a movie buff. Wife and I both agree, this was a snoozer that could of been something magnificent. The lead male role was just begging for more content. The little prince love line could of been followed more closely. I hate being one of the few that did not glow over this movie, but scenery alone does not make a movie.

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Brian Berta
1947/08/19

When I reviewed Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange", I praised Alex DeLarge's character arc for a few reasons. One of them was because it came as a surprise. When I wrote that, however, it sounded more like icing on the cake. I viewed it more as secondary. However, after watching this film, I quickly realized that surprise should be at the forefront of all character arcs. That was why I didn't care that much for this film.After 5 nuns (Sister Clodagh, Sister Briony, Sister 'Honey' Blanche, Sister Philippa, and Sister Ruth) open up a convent in the Himalayas, they encounter conflict and tension with the natives, their surroundings, and from within their own group. As they spend more time there, their conflict gradually intensifies.The film opens up with a promising start. It has great cinematography and a plot which is easy to follow. For a moment, I became intrigued by the film's plot as I wondered where it would lead to. However, that curiosity was quickly nullified. The second Mother Dorothea says the line "Yes, she's a problem. I'm afraid she'll be a problem for you too." as she refers to Ruth, my anticipation quickly faded into disappointment. At that point, I had a feeling where Ruth's character was going to head right at the start. Because I felt that, there was nothing surprising about how she ended up. I wished that her character would have started out softer. The further I got into the movie, my disappointment kept on expanding as my concerns kept on sounding more plausible. Revealing her character flaws single-handedly broke the movie down for me. Hell, even the birds eye shot of the bell tower at the edge of the cliff was enough for me to be able to predict another major aspect of the climax. However, I can at least praise Ruth's character arc for being believable.However, there are aspects to this film which make it worth watching. For instance, the cinematography. Images of the mountainous landscape are gorgeous to look at. The fact that this film was shot in Technicolor doesn't diminish its impact at all. The shots look vibrant and overwhelming. However, the architectural shots look just as fabulous as well. A wide assortment of rooms and hallways from the film look immaculate with their amusing color schemes and the layout of furniture. Artsy designs on some of the walls serve as eye candy. I felt fully immersed with the environment at all times while watching the film.Some of the shots appear menacing as well. The shot of the bell tower suspended at the edge of the cliff is enough to send chills down your spine due to the angle at which it was shot. Also, Sister Ruth's iconic crimson lipstick sends a message to the viewer that there's no turning back for her. The film also uses shadows to create a foreboding atmosphere. The scene I'm referring to comes near the end where we see Sister Ruth engulfed in shadows while wearing dark colored clothing. Sister Clodagh, on the other hand, is wearing white in that scene, and we can clearly see her. It's a simple technique, but it helps to create a foreboding atmosphere and it also gives that scene a fair amount of suspense as a result.In conclusion, this film is worth seeing for the gorgeous visuals. They look overwhelming, vibrant, and at times - foreboding. However, the visuals aren't enough to save it from its predictability throughout the film and its disappointing ending. I found this movie to be a learning experience. I got more insight on how character arcs should be handled. Even though I didn't like this film, the incredible visuals and set design interested me in checking out more of Michael Powell's filmography.

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elvircorhodzic
1947/08/20

BLACK NARCISSUS is a sumptuous film. From the psychological point of view this is a particular type of incident or conflict of two distinct human nature. Physical and spiritual. Luxurious scenery and great costumes become a trademark of British films, at least in this period. Some staff work wonderfully. Technicolor with this fact has nothing to do. It affects the overall impression, however, is not decisive.In this film all the elements are somehow synchronized. The story is not controversial. The conflict between the soul and the body is.Cynical drama about morals. How is this movie actually intelligent? Seek solace in religion and reject the love and passion that inflict only pain. In this regard see the two frustrated dominant women is interesting. It is not intelligent. Religious practices and commitment are closely linked with the social environment. The magnificent beauty of nature and primitive society are contrasts that influence the human psyche. Black Narcissus is not something so special. The film definitely has its own magic. The essence of the conflict.Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh is confident in her performance. Character challenged. The commitment of heart and mind. Kathleen Byron as Sister Ruth is truly magnificent, at times erotic, women with strong emotion. The conflict between the two main female character is the culmination of the story. Both in different ways touch the bottom. The film is an explosion of color, beauty and hidden passions that eventually erupt together.

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