Black Narcissus
“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.
Black Narcissus
“A story of exquisite yearning in a strange and beautiful land. Towering over the screen ... as the mountains that saw it happen.”
Overview
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.
Director
Emeric Pressburger
Budget
1.2M
Status
Released
Production
The Archers, J. Arthur Rank Organisation
Cast
Deborah Kerr
Sister Clodagh
Sabu
The Young General
David Farrar
Mr. Dean
Flora Robson
Sister Philippa
Esmond Knight
The Old General
Jean Simmons
Kanchi
Kathleen Byron
Sister Ruth
Jenny Laird
Sister Honey
Judith Furse
Sister Briony
May Hallatt
Angu Ayah
Eddie Whaley Jr.
Joseph Anthony
Shaun Noble
Con
Nancy Roberts
Mother Dorothea
Ley On
Phuba
Joan Cozier
Girl in Classroom (uncredited)
Maxwell Foster
Clodagh's Father in Flashback (uncredited)
Margaret Scudamore
Clodagh's Grandmother in Flashback (uncredited)
Helen Debroy Summers
Clodagh's Mother in Flashback (uncredited)
Video Gallery
Neil LaBute on BLACK NARCISSUS
Mark Kermode reviews Black Narcissus (1947) | BFI Player
