Review of Black Narcissus (1947) by Andrew R — 15 Aug 2012

Potent filmmaking. Each scene is alive with color, or lack thereof, and every shot is like a line in a poem. Every little thing matters. Where does duty end and life begin? Is there any escape from a cloistered life? Is sexuality madness, or is it madness to be celibate? Many questions, many emotions, all beautifully expressed here. All I can say is, keep thee from this nunnery.

Favorite scene: When Sister Ruth (donning her seductive look) opens the door to Sister Clodagh ringing the bell over the windy valley and reciting Hail Mary, almost whispering it. Ruth's pale face and reddened eyes, the cinematography, the rising music, the incessant bell toll--burned in my memory. "Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.".