Review of Black Narcissus (1947) by Tracey C — 24 Aug 2010

Black Narcissus (1947) is a film by the British director-writer team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, based on the novel of the same name by Rumer Godden. It is a psychological drama about the emotional tensions within a convent of nuns in an isolated Himalayan valley, and stars Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar and Flora Robson, and features Esmond Knight, Jean Simmons and Kathleen Byron.

A group of Anglican nuns travels to a remote location in the Himalayas the Palace of Mopu, near Darjeeling to set up a school and hospital and 'tame' the local people and environment, by conversion and gardening, only to find themselves increasingly seduced by the sensuality of their surroundings in a converted seraglio, and by the local British agent Dean (David Farrar). Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), the Sister in charge, is attempting to forget a failed romance at home in Ireland. Tensions mount as Dean's laid-back charm makes an impression on Clodagh, but also attracts the mentally unstable Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron), who becomes pathologically jealous of Clodagh, resulting in a nervous breakdown and a violent climax. In a subplot, 'the Young General' (Sabu), heir to the throne of a princely Indian state who has come to the convent for his education, becomes infatuated with a lower caste dancing girl (Jean Simmons).

Cast.

Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh.

Flora Robson as Sister Philippa.

Jean Simmons as Kanchi.

David Farrar as Mr. Dean.

Sabu as The Young General.

Esmond Knight as The Old General.

Kathleen Byron as Sister Ruth.

Jenny Laird as Sister Honey.

Judith Furse as Sister Briony.

May Hallatt as Angu Ayah.

Shaun Noble as Con, Clodagh's childhood sweetheart.

Eddie Whaley Jr. as Joseph Anthony, young interpreter.

Nancy Roberts as Mother Dorothea.

Ley On as Phuba, Dean's servant.