Black Narcissus Reviews

a neglected masterpiece

This must be one of the most unusual films ever made. A storyline about nuns in India attempting to set up a mission to educate and convert the natives wouldn't seem to be a subject of much general interest.

But quite the reverse: from the hopeful beginning the tension between the characters is steadily increased. Difficulties arise from the clash between their vocation and their all-too-human feelings, all increased by the unearthly situation of the mission in the heights of the Himalayas. The many problems, together with the sexual frustration of one of the nuns, finally lead to a shattering climax.

The performances are first-rate, and the atmosphere is skilfully heightened by the stunning photography of Jack Cardiff, for which he received a well-deserved Oscar.

Truly a film to remember.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Colour And Photography Take Centre Stage

Deborah Kerr as a num trying to set up a convent in the Himalayas. Star of the show really is the photography of Jack Cardiff which brings to life the entire film, with rich colour and some amazing photography that made it hard to believe that the film was shot in a studio.

[Highly rated reviewer]

One of the glories of international cinema

Perhaps the greatest directors ever to come out of Britain, Powell and Pressburger here decided to recreate the Himalayas in Shepperton Studios, with terrific results. A wonderfully overwrought story about a small group of British nuns going mad in the Orient (the light, the wind, the holy man on the mountain, David Farrar in shorts), is turned into pure gold by the writer-directors' ability to manage and control everything, from the music (note the way the final reel is co-ordinated precisely to the pre-written score), through the art direction and lighting (surely the greatest ever) to the miraculous acting.

There isn't a single duff moment in this film (you can even forgive Esmond Knight and Jean Simmons pretending to be Indians, since part of the film's wider point is about fitting in - or otherwise), and it may well be the best British film ever (if it isn't, then something else by the Archers surely is).

Scintillating British cinema!

A strange, beautiful, erotic and hypnotic film,it has to rank as one of the few genuine original masterpieces of British film. That this was made in the 1940's almost entirely in a studio set up to represent the remote Himalaya's is even more remarkable. For me , this was an undiscovered gem.

a film classic

Definitely one to watch if you're interested in film. This is especially so because there's such a rich collection of additional features to help with understanding the film more fully: commentary by director Michael Powell (and also by Martin Scorsese!), short film about filming Black Narcissus /technicolour narrated by Jack Cardiff, director of photography who won an Oscar for the film etc.

visually stunning

visually stunning if a lot over-wrought.

Jean Simmons in blackface

Powell and Pressburger Masterpiece

Watching Black Narcissus is like bathing in colour. It is technicolour at its very finest, like watching a moving painting. Jack Cardiff (cinematrography) and Alfred Junge (production designer) both won an oscar for this film and it is very easy to see why. The contrast in colours is god-smackinly good and the matt paintings some of the finest filmed. Powell and Pressburger have produced a masterpiece of a story about sexual fustration, desire, and nuns on the brink, all brought to the surface in a remote mountain area in India. Brilliant stuff. The music by Brian Easdale is stirring stuff and the acting by Deborah Kerr and the always brilliant Kathleen Bryon is magnificent. A must for all film buffs and film students. A real shame films like these are no longer made.

My Little Pony

Somewhat against the odds, I found this a moderately enjoyable film. The acting is OTT but that was very much the norm until Marlon Brando came along and showed that strong emotions don't have to be accompanied by loud shouting. Jack Cardiff's capturing of the intense mountain light (in Shepperton Studios!)is a joy to see and the setting is really the star. The impact of the melodrama was moderated for me by the male lead's risible costumes and his choice of mount: a Shetland pony so small his feet touched the ground. Shetlands are notoriously obstinate and much amusement can be derived from watching the extras trying to control the little beasts.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Sheer brilliance

As this film unravels you realize what a brilliant piece of work it is, and if you watch the various commentaries afterwards from Jack Cardiff and Martin Scorsese and the director Michael Powell, your impressions will be confirmed. The fact that the Himalayas are recreated in the Pinewood studios is the first marvel to wonder at, and then the superb artistry of the cinematography and lighting and direction are magnificently realized. Indeed this is cinema as art - one of the best films ever made.

Proto-Devils

A bit of a dry run for Ken Russell's The Devils. An interesting film about the torments of monastic life and celebacy. Much more implicit than The Devils' explicitcy but almost as powerful.