Black Narcissus

Okay, let's get real. The movie is a five-star masterpiece and you simply must ignore the incoherent babbling of the disgruntled few who aren't even talking about the product pictured on this page. Black Narcissus is, for me, Powell and Pressburger at their peak, at their finest. The production design is breathtaking, the Technicolor photography of Jack Cardiff is subtle and breathtaking, the direction and script are breathtaking, and the performances from every single person are perfection. No, this will never appear to the lowest common denominator, so kiddies beware.The Blu-ray is mostly great, but I think it may be time for a fresher transfer.

Black Narcissus (1947) is another Powell and Pressburger masterpiece, right on the heels of their more famous film, The Red Shoes (1948). In Black Narcissus, we’re brought into a world of nuns trying to establish a convent in the Himalayas, and the external and internal conflicts that arise from such an undertaking. Strong emotions of jealousy, infatuation, and erotic passion bring this film to an unforgettable climax. Kathleen Bryon is incredible as Sister Ruth, a deranged nun who pursues a man who doesn’t want her professed love. Her makeup job near the end of the film as she’s going mad is an image that will stay with you. Deborah Kerr is amazing as Sister Clodagh, a woman who’s the voice of reason among the nuns. The rich color and beautiful lighting patterns really evoke the right mood and tone for the story. This film is sort of a cross between The Bell’s of St. Mary’s, The Wizard of Oz (it’s darker elements), and Vertigo, though the latter came out 11 years later. Overall, this Criterion Collection blu ray is spectacular, offering a great picture and sound, as well as a booklet and interesting special features. I highly recommend this film for its amazing presentation by two very talented directors.

I was born in the summer of 1945..a month later, The world entered the Atomic age, and then ended the second world war...The Brits were in the theaters munching popcorn, and chugging warm beer,while their mangled and rattled nerves begged for all the serotonin they could muster.....How could they have even considered going to a film for salvation,...Yet they did...Black Narcissus is considered and definitely is a masterpiece...Dopamine be damned..!.Healing commence.please!.These poor Anglican nuns..5 in all, are in an even worse death trap than the viewing audience..The film is deadly serious yet interupted by bits and pieces of humor that ease the rising tensions..The Sisters are supposed to be setting up a hospital and school..Yet find themselves captivated by the beauty of the mountains, the colors in the flowers,the helpfulness of the himalayan natives, the silence of the Holy Man...and then of course..Mr. Dean..I can say he is sexy, but they have to repress those feelings...And then of course..someone dies...........Don't miss this artistic film.....Erotic in a subtle way..Yet powerful....JP..

Brilliant! The last shot of the rain hitting the foliage is not to be missed, and the rest f the film??..like this..entrancing and thrilling. Deborah Kerr in one of her greatest roles, and the rest of the cast..outstanding.Look for Jean Simmons, young and in love!

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger made a number ofremarkable films during their association. Their company -the Archers - became well known for "quality" cinema,their apex being THE RED SHOES.But in screening their titles, I recently viewed BLACK NARCISSUS.I'm amazed that, in my long years as a cinephile, Icompletely overlooked this classic. BLACK NARCISSUS tellsthe story of Sister Clodagh, who is assigned to convey agroup of nuns into the Himalayas, there to take up residencein a clifftop palace which once was a king's brothel.Established, she and the others begin to notice thestrange effects upon them of isolation, the surreal openness,the everlasting winds, the dizzying heights. Things fall apart aseach of the nuns, in her own way, descends into psychological confusion.Kerr is remarkably poised as the leader who sees their world self-destructing. A seventeen year old Jean Simmons plays an sensuous Indiangirl whose presence disturbs the community. But the film belongs toKathleen Byron as Sister Ruth, whose descent into her repressed sexualself steals the film. Her final confrontation with Kerr high atopa vertiginous bell tower may remind viewers of the climax of Hitchcock'sVERTIGO.BLACK NARCISSUS is an unsettling, unforgettable journey into madness. Shotentirely at Pinewood Studios and in West Sussex, it boasts Jack Cardiff'sluscious Oscar-winning cinematography.Next to THE RED SHOES - itself a shattering film about loneliness/self denialin the arts - BLACK NARCISSUS is a must-see/must-have.Criterion's usual high standards abound, including an interviewwith Kathleen Byron who laughs about how she played her role her way.

I could not believe this phenomenal movie was made in 1947. This is one of movie that left remarkable memories for years to come. The use of light and artistic backgrounds throw me deep into the Himalayas mountain top with constant feel of wind blowing. When I was kid I watched the Archers Studio’s The Red Shoes and was deeply moved by the melodrama. This movies is anything but usual and I am drawn to the mystery and emotion (sadness / madness) to it. No need to go into details since it is well covered already by reviews. In short I was shocked and fell deeply in love with this movie and the stories unfolded by Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, Davie Farrar, Jean Simmons and Flora Robson. The Blu-ray has excellent technicolor rendering and features. Well worth the collection.

This classic British film about a convent of Anglican nuns living in the Himalayas is a visual feast. It's one of Powell and Pressburger's best ever, winning Oscars for cinematography and art direction, and featuring some of the most startling uses of colour in film history. It also features a couple of captivating performances from Deborah Kerr as the head of the convent, and Kathleen Byron as the smoulderingly unstable Sister Ruth, who gradually [...] and then finally [...] - but look, I'm not gonna give away the plot, am I? But safe to say it's quite dramatic - and was a bit of a shocker for audiences at the time... ; )Wanted to write a review of this partly to say what a cracking film it is, but also to share that after a bit of research I went for the Network Blu-Ray (light-blue cover with the orange arches & bell) and I'm very pleased with it. Apparently it's a Region B (UK) port of the excellent Criterion US Blu-Ray, and it looks fantastic, really capturing the vibrant colours of the original. I gather the ITV version is very good as well, but it was only a couple of quid extra for the Network, and I haven't regretted it.

A magnificent, sublime, unique work of art where strong feelings, hidden dramas and powerful film-making mix together like rarely happened in cinema history, creating an almost unreal and mysterious story.Black Narcissus is not another old style melodrama, but a provocative and yet true and passionate tale of solitude, attraction, sanctity and visual-storytelling. It is like a completely different world where you feel amazed from start to end and yet feel in a way involved because it talks about universal things in a very unique way.The blu ray is great and perfectly shows the beauty of the incredible scenes and photography of the film, which is one of Powell and Pressburger's best ones, meaning one of Cinema absolute masterpieces.

A classic. The tragic story of repressed, Religious extremists unravelling in the high Himalayan mountains of India. As the culture and beauty of their surroundings, and a mildly lascivious David Farrar, begins to encroach upon their brainwashed drudgery, they dream of the past, the sadness they’re hiding from, the happiness, the nostalgia of a more fulfilling life.Amazing, haunting cinematography from Jack Cardiff and some great performances; especially from Kathleen Byron and Deborah Kerr. The film looks fantastic on Blu-ray - a must see.

This is a classic and wonderful film, shot entirely in the studio but completely convincing as a Himalayan setting. Graced by great performances, script and direction this should be in the collection of all cinema lovers.

A truly astonishing, groundbreaking film, one of the most beautiful and stunning technicolour films ever made, and one of the very best British films ever made. Eroticism, passion, jealousy, madness and violence erupts amongst a group of nuns in a remote part of the Himalayan mountains. As fresh today in 2016 as it was when it was made 69 years ago. A film I go back to and watch every year, and each time I see something new and magical.