Black Narcissus

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Black Narcissus

Released May 26, 1947

1h 40m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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39 Reviews

87%

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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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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Watching the film today, Ruth feels more misunderstood than ever...

Rated: 5/5

Nov 10, 2023

Full Review

Michael Sragow

New Yorker

This is a landmark of Hollywood-on-Thames trompe-l'oeil.

Aug 3, 2015

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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noa r

the beauty of technicolour cinematography! reminded me very much of "the sound of music (1965)" - nun/s in a gorgeous location, questioning their own religion. sister ruth is terrifying..wow! the ending made me sad as i felt deborah kerr didn't deserve all that trauma and was still unsure about her religious choices.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

Full Review

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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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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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