Review of Black Narcissus (1947) by Emily B — 19 Mar 2008

A masterpiece from Powell and Pressburger.

The Technicolour is just beautiful, the colours are just so powerful, especially in the scene with Kathleen Byron putting on the lipstick. The scenery is also beautiful, looking like a painting at times. In fact the whole film was shot in Britian, so the scenery are just enlarged black and white photographs painted over.

Now, onto the acting. Deborah Kerr is brilliant as the Sister Superior who is struggling with her past and is also trying keep together the small order of nuns. A young Jean Simmons is also great in what is an almost mute role. But the person who really steals the show for me is Kathleen Byron as the crazy Sister Ruth. The climax of the film where Sister Ruth finally flips and lets the tension get to her is a worthy performance.

This is a brilliant, beautiful piece of British cinema.