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Black Narcissus

7.3

3,045

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Black Narcissus (TV Miniseries)

Original title: Black Narcissus
Year: 1947
Running time: 100 min.
Country: United Kingdom
Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Screenwriter: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger. Novel: Rumer Godden
Music: Brian Easdale
Cinematography: Jack Cardiff
Cast: Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron, Jean Simmons, Jenny Laird, Esmond Knight, Judith Furse, Ley On, Eddie Whaley Jr., Nancy Roberts, Shaun Noble, May Hallatt
Producer: Independent Producers, The Archers
Genre: Drama | Religion. Psychological Drama
Movie Groups: Rumer Godden Adaptations
Synopsis: Five young British nuns are invited to move to a windy "palace", former house of the concubines of an old general, in the top of a mountain in Mopu, Himalaya, to raise the convent of Saint Faith Order, a school for children and girls, and an infirmary for the local dwellers. Sister Clodagh is assigned as the superior sister, and her liaison with civilization is the rude government agent Mr. Dean. The lonely and exotic place and the presence of Mr. 'Dean awake the innermost desires in the flesh of the sisters, and Sister Ruth becomes mad with the temptation.

Rankings Position

#84 Best British Movies

Awards: 1947: 2 Academy Awards: Best Cinematography color and Best Art Direction color

1947: Golden Globes: Best Cinematography

1947: New York Film Critics Circle: Best Actress (Deborah Kerr). 2 Nominations

Critics' reviews

"A curiously fascinating psychological study of the physical and spiritual tribulations that over-whelm five Protestant missionary nuns"

The New York Times
"It remains a rapturous, near-indescribable work of cinematic art"

Noel Murray: AV Club
"The production and camerawork atone for minor lapses in the story, Jack Cardiff’s photography being outstanding. The cast has been well chosen"

Variety
"Films on this subject are generally solemn and naive, but director Michael Powell and writer Emeric Pressburger bring wit and intelligence to it"

Dave Kehr: Chicago Reader
"One of my problems with 'Black Narcissus' is that I never found the characters credible (...) The film’s true star is the setting (…) Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)"

James Berardinelli: ReelViews
"I like to view it as a film ahead of its time, daring enough to look puritanical figures that are in truth as frail as anyone"

Michael Mirasol: rogerebert.com
"It's an all-time top 10 favourite of mine (...) The studio sets and backdrops are superbly and still convincingly rendered, and the film looks more beautiful than ever (…) Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)"

Peter Bradshaw: The Guardian
"Sexual tension hangs in the air as the wind blows and native drums beat, but it's on a visual level that the film excels (…) Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)"

William Thomas: Empire

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