Black Narcissus

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Black Narcissus

1947

1h 40m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

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

The Times (UK)

11/10/2023

5/5

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

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Michael Sragow

The New Yorker

08/03/2015

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

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

01/01/2013

5/5

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.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

07/17/2024

4/4

... steamy but never seamy, at once ardent and honest in its exploration of matters of faith.

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Sarah Cortinaz

InSession Film

04/23/2024

A

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.

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Zita Short

InSession Film

02/10/2023

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...

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Cohil P

@cohil May 15

Strange, deep and windy - you had to fully love it or leave it soon. The characters are pure and solid like natural elements. No sentimental leftovers in this life-affirming movie.

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Shane C

@RT13112589 Nov 23

An amazing movie with such a tense psychological feeling and amazing cinematography

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Cem Okan Y

@cmyldz23 Oct 23

Great cinematography.

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Josh L

@KentuckyJosh 01/17/2025

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.

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Marit Risto F

@RT66247982 10/18/2024

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

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Christian K

@ckacar 08/13/2024

Insane, bizarre, and beautifully framed film. I really don't understand what happened but enjoyed it.

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Michael Powell

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Emeric Pressburger

Director

Deborah Kerr

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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
Screenwriter: 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