Black Narcissus poster
7.5/10 1947 1h 40m Released

A story of exquisite yearning in a strange and beautiful land. Towering over the screen ... as the mountains that saw it happen.

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, 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 falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, 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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Top Cast

Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr
Sister Clodagh
Sabu
Sabu
The Young General
David Farrar
David Farrar
Mr. Dean
Flora Robson
Flora Robson
Sister Philippa
Esmond Knight
Esmond Knight
The Old General
Jean Simmons
Jean Simmons
Kanchi
Kathleen Byron
Kathleen Byron
Sister Ruth
Jenny Laird
Jenny Laird
Sister Honey
Judith Furse
Judith Furse
Sister Briony
May Hallatt
May Hallatt
Angu Ayah
Eddie Whaley Jr.
Eddie Whaley Jr.
Joseph Anthony
Shaun Noble
Shaun Noble
Con
Nancy Roberts
Nancy Roberts
Mother Dorothea
Ley On
Ley On
Phuba
Joan Cozier
Joan Cozier
Girl in Classroom (uncredited)
Maxwell Foster
Maxwell Foster
Clodagh's Father in Flashback (uncredited)

Reviews

John Chard 9/10

Do you think it's a good thing to let her feel important? Black Narcissus is directed by Micheal Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who both adapt the screenplay form Rumer Godden's novel of the same name. It stars Deborah Kerr, Sabu, Jean Simmons, David Farrar, Flora Robson and Kathleen Byron. Music is scored by Brain Easdale and cinematography by Jack Cardiff. A group of nuns travel to the Himalayas to set up a…

CinemaSerf 7/10

Right from the start, Jack Cardiff's magnificent cinematography sets a perfect scene for this superbly directed story of "Sister Clodagh" (Deborah Kerr) who is despatched to a remote corner of northern India to establish a school and hospital in an old, cold and windy, palace. Accompanied by a rather curious collection of nuns - Flora Robson, Jenny Laird, Judith Furse and Kathleen Byron, they must combat the…

Wuchak

**_Stuck between the carnal and the celestial in the southern Himalayas_** A group of well-meaning nuns try to establish a nunnery beyond Darjeeling in northeast India at a dilapidated palace-on-the-heights that used to house a harem. Deborah Kerr plays the Sister Superior while David Farrar appears as the agent to the local prince. Based on the 1939 novel, “Black Narcissus” (1947) is a psychological drama…

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FAQ about Black Narcissus

What is Black Narcissus about?
A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, 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 falls for a…
When was Black Narcissus released?
Black Narcissus was released in 1947.
What genres does Black Narcissus belong to?
Black Narcissus is categorised as Drama.
Who stars in Black Narcissus?
The cast of Black Narcissus includes Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Esmond Knight.