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Black Narcissus

Play trailer Poster for Black Narcissus Released May 26, 1947 1h 40m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 39 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), 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 (Kathleen Byron) falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean (David Farrar), 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.

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Black Narcissus

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher Times (UK) Watching the film today, Ruth feels more misunderstood than ever... Rated: 5/5 Nov 10, 2023 Full Review Michael Sragow The New Yorker This is a landmark of Hollywood-on-Thames trompe-l'oeil. Aug 3, 2015 Full Review Keith Uhlich Time Out There's something truly unearthly about this place of howling winds, yawning chasms and atmosphere thick with temptation. Sanctity, it will be proven, is no match for sin. Rated: 5/5 Jan 1, 2013 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm ... steamy but never seamy, at once ardent and honest in its exploration of matters of faith. Rated: 4/4 Jul 17, 2024 Full Review Sarah Cortinaz InSession Film No matter how many versions grace the screen, it's the lure, the brooding intensity, and the hidden sensuality, that makes Powell and Pressburger's Black Narcissus, a magnetic film. Rated: A Apr 23, 2024 Full Review Zita Short InSession Film Kathleen Byron is also fantastic but Kerr’s subtlety means that she is allowed to go wild and become unrestrained in the second act. The yin and yang that they form is central to the film’s success... Feb 10, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (566) audience reviews
Josh L Having finally set aside time to watch this classic, I was not disappointed. Obviously there is always the expectation that an older film might be a bit of a slog to get through, but I found this not to be the case. With amazing visuals and colors, the cinematography definitely lived up to the hype. The story is good although I wish it would've went a bit deeper. But the great performances and insane ending warrant discovering this classic as a must for any cinephile. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/25 Full Review Marit Risto F The old nevrotic split, between the whore and madonna. The unbelievable gap between the capital owners, and the submissive class. Mixed up with some kind of mentally insane Halloween "thing". Breath taking nature? Definitely Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review Christian K Insane, bizarre, and beautifully framed film. I really don't understand what happened but enjoyed it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/13/24 Full Review Mark B Beautiful to look at and charming with local characters in a Hollywood way. Sinister overtones but it all is a bit melodramatic and does not come together in my mind. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/03/24 Full Review Julie B Just watched it on TMC - gave it a chance bc of Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Holy cow - I'm going to rewatch it. Stay with it to get past the first minutes of the crazy character May H. portrays .... then hang on! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/24 Full Review Gertrude F Tremendously intense in all the best ways, yet manages to maintain humanity, beauty, and tenderness. The film spoils with gorgeous cinematography. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Black Narcissus

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Powell

Director

Emeric Pressburger

Director

Deborah Kerr

Sister Clodagh

Sabu

The Young General

David Farrar

Mr. Dean

Flora Robson

Sister Philippa

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Black Narcissus

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Movie Info

Synopsis A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), 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 (Kathleen Byron) falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean (David Farrar), 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.
Director
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Producer
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Screenwriter
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Rumer Godden
Production Co
The Archers
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 26, 1947, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 24, 2017
Runtime
1h 40m
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