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IMDb > Black Narcissus (1947)
Black Narcissus
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Black Narcissus (1947) More at IMDbPro »

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Black Narcissus (1947) -- Trailer for this classic drama

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   6,174 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 31% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Rumer Godden (novel)
Michael Powell (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Black Narcissus on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
December 1947 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Exquisite Yearning ! . . . Exotic Living ! High in a hidden mountain village of a strange land and extravagant dreams and desires become exciting realities ! more
Plot:
Anglican nuns, led by the stern Sister Clodagh, attempt to establish a religious community in the Himalayas... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins more
NewsDesk:
(13 articles)
The Red Shoes | Film review
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 10 December 2009, 3:20 PM, PST)

Surrealist artwork from The Red Shoes to go on display
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 20 November 2009, 7:31 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
Beautiful and Powerful more (92 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Deborah Kerr ... Sister Clodagh
Flora Robson ... Sister Philippa

Jean Simmons ... Kanchi
David Farrar ... Mr. Dean
Sabu ... The Young General
Esmond Knight ... The Old General
Kathleen Byron ... Sister Ruth
Jenny Laird ... Sister Honey
Judith Furse ... Sister Briony
May Hallatt ... Angu Ayah
Shaun Noble ... Con, Clodagh's Childhood Sweetheart
Eddie Whaley Jr. ... Joseph Anthony, Young Interpreter
Nancy Roberts ... Mother Dorothea
Ley On ... Phuba, Dean's Servant
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Australia:PG | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:12 (2004) | West Germany:16 | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #11874, Adult Audience) | UK:U (video rating) (1986) (uncut) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1985) (uncut) | UK:A (original rating) (cut)
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The much admired Himalayan scenery was all created in the studio (with glass shots and hanging miniatures). more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: During a shot of the Himalayan mountains, stagehands can be seen standing and walking about behind the scrim on which the mountains are painted. more
Quotes:
Mother Dorothea: -
[With Sister Clodagh: looking at photos of the palace at Mopu]
Mother Dorothea: The house is nine thousand feet up - very cold, but good air. General Toda Rai, who has invited us to Mopu, has promised us every help. He was a little afraid when he learned that we are bound to our order only by yearly vows. I explained this rule to him.
Sister Clodagh: Yes, Reverend Mother.
Mother Dorothea: For more than a century, to serve voluntarily has been one of the glories of our Order.
Sister Clodagh: And our greatest strength.
Mother Dorothea: Exactly. He understands now. Is there anything you would like to ask?
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Hollywood Uncensored (1987) more
Soundtrack:
Lullay My Liking more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
29 out of 32 people found the following review useful.
Beautiful and Powerful, 2 February 2001
10/10
Author: Jon Kolenchak from Pittsburgh, PA USA

The idea of one individual's inner conflicts within an organized religious group is not necessarily a new concept in story telling. Depending on the talents of the artists involved, and usually the stellar performance of one individual, the results can be quite good, and at times extraordinary.

Now, take that premise and reverse it. What happens when you have an entire group of individuals, who, for some reason beyond their understanding, begin to question their faith, vows, and purpose in life? You have the film Black Narcissus.

A group of Anglican nuns led by Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodah are sent to the Himalaya Mountains to create a school and hospital from an abandoned palace. The palace was once called "The House of Women" and is rather ornately decorated with erotic art. In the opening scenes, we are told that an order of Brothers had attempted to do the same thing as the Sisters, but failed.

Sister Clodah obviously enjoys the fact that she has been chosen, and also enjoys being in charge. Not long after the nun's arrival their "straight-laced" behavior begins to loosen, their discipline becomes more lax, and the foundation of their self-image begins to change.

Deborah Kerr is wonderful as Sister Clodah. There's more to her character than immediately meets the eye. David Farrar as Mr. Dean, Flora Robson as Sister Philippa, Sabu as The Young General, and Jean Simmons as Kanchi are a superb acting ensemble. However it is Kathleen Byron as the emotionally disturbed Sister Ruth that you will remember the most after viewing this film.

The extraordinary performances in this film are complimented visually with the flawless cinematography by Jack Cardiff. This is one of the most beautifully composed color films I have ever seen. I did not know that this film was shot entirely in a studio until after I had seen it several times. Some of the matte shots are extremely realistic, and others look more like beautiful paintings. All this serves to reinforce the struggle between illusion and reality, and also passion and chastity.

Brian Easdale's musical score is extremely effective, and his use of a wordless chorus is fascinating -- whether they are singing an Irish folk-like song or an Indian chant. In the climactic scene, there is over 10 minutes of film time when not a single word is spoken; just the chorus and orchestra.

Black Narcissus brings home the point that we are all sometimes far too ambitious, vulnerable, obstinate, passionate, and alas, human.

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Mr Dean's remark WaAnNiTe
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