Black Narcissus

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger19471h 41mDrama

Why we chose it

Powell and Pressburger (“The Red Shoes”) shot their famous Himalayan convent film nowhere near a mountain, with painted peaks and a convent built at Pinewood, and still won Oscars for cinematography and art direction. Five English nuns, one agnostic, and a faith that loses out to the flesh.

Synopsis

Five English nuns, led by the young Sister Clodagh, arrive at a palace on a Himalayan cliff to open a school and a dispensary in what was once a harem and now belongs to the Church. The air is thin and peace never comes. Mr Dean, the only Englishman for miles around, doesn’t pretend to believe in anything, and Sister Ruth can’t stop looking at him.

Information

Directors
Cast
Production year
1947
Decade
1940s
Duration
1h 41m
Genre
Drama
Festivals & Awards
Language
English, French, Nepali
Country
United Kingdom, Ireland
Subtitles
Greek, Polish
Age rating
Κ

Oscars

Best Cinematography

1948

Oscars

Best Set Decoration

1948

Golden Globes

Best Cinematography

1948

What others say

4.0
62 reviews

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