Black Narcissus

Movie

1947

1h 40m

English

Drama

User Score:

7.8

Critic Score:

Watch on The Criterion Channel

Black Narcissus

Movie

1947

1h 40m

English

Drama

Watch on The Criterion Channel

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.

WATCHMODE

7.8

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

Where to watch

FREE

FREE

Rent

$3.99HD

$3.59SD

Buy

$14.99HD

Available in 3 other countries.

Filter sources:

See something wrong? Let us know

My Friends' Ratings

In order to see what your friends rated Black Narcissus, you need a Watchmode account. It's free and takes just a minute. Create an account

Cast

Sister Clodagh

Mr. Dean

Sister Philippa

Sister Ruth

The Young General

Kanchi

Sister Honey

Sister Briony

The Old General

Angu Ayah

Joseph Anthony

Con

Mother Dorothea

Phuba

Clodagh's Grandmother in Flashback ...

Directed By: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell

Written By: Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, + 1 more

Featured Comments/Tips

soonertbone says...

3 months ago

Shocking, delicious movie about nuns losing their minds on the precipice of doom (and the coming end of their colonialist efforts in the region.) The Technicolor stands out here as particularly brilliant, especially in the nuanced use of makeup and production design to create heightened emotional effects. While the exoticism and brownface are difficult to watch, there were moments when it started to feel like Powell/Pressburger might be making some intentional commentary? Maybe I'm giving them too much credit, because of course it's all of a time. I was thrown off by May Hallatt's bizarre performance the first time I watched it, but I settled in this time and really loved it. Definitely worth a rewatch.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

moonkodi says...

7 years ago

It looks amazing. The colours selected are fantastic. Some of the interior shots are so colourful that they nearly step over into a panto set territory. The story didn't do much for me.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

csrz says...

3 years ago

Nuns thirsting over Mr. Dean, can't blame them. I refuse to believe this was made in 1947! The film making is ahead of its time, the visual is stunning, and the performance is just spot-on.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all comments (3) Leave comment

Featured User Reviews

CinemaSerf

2 years ago

Right from the start, Jack Cardiff's magnificent cinematography sets a perfect scene for this superbly directed story of "Sister Clodagh" (Deborah Kerr) who is despatched to a remote corner of northern India to establish a school and hospital in an old, cold and windy, palace. Accompanied by a rathe More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

John Chard

4 years ago

Do you think it's a good thing to let her feel important?

Black Narcissus is directed by Micheal Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who both adapt the screenplay form Rumer Godden's novel of the same name. It stars Deborah Kerr, Sabu, Jean Simmons, David Farrar, Flora Robson and Kathleen Byron. Musi More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Wuchak

4 months ago

**_Stuck between the carnal and the celestial in the southern Himalayas_**

A group of well-meaning nuns try to establish a nunnery beyond Darjeeling in northeast India at a dilapidated palace-on-the-heights that used to house a harem. Deborah Kerr plays the Sister Superior while David Farrar appe More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all reviews (3) Write Review