Black Narcissus
Directed by Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell7.7100%87%7.5
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 Ratings & Reviews
- cultfilmlikerJune 5, 2025A classic tale of the creation of a nunnery in the Himalayas. A rejection of man’s hubris in “spreading the Word of God” (and also imperialism) I guess I was in a mood to watch films about nun’s today? I feel like the little boy reading the magazine in Airplane! The cinematography is extraordinary. Makes those habits white af Maybe it’s just the brownface but calling him “Black Narcissus” felt racist smh
- Rowan KrzysiakFebruary 12, 2025It simmers and then quickly explodes. With stunning cinematography it's a fascinating story told with worlds I really know very little about. But it all seems so simple...did I understand it? Have I failed or succeeded... perhaps I shouldn't have been watching it in the first place. Time to move on.
- John WilsonJanuary 25, 2026Amazing film. The constant wind would drive anyone mad.
- Felipe ChapulaJanuary 5, 2026“They were the only independent filmmakers who managed to work within the system and still get away with making truly experimental films.” - Martin Scorsese.
Black Narcissus Trivia
Black Narcissus was released on May 26, 1947.
Black Narcissus was directed by Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell.
Black Narcissus has a runtime of 1h 36m.
Black Narcissus was produced by George R. Busby, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger.
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.
The key characters in Black Narcissus are Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), The Young General (Sabu), Mr. Dean (David Farrar).
Black Narcissus is rated Not Rated.
Black Narcissus is a Drama film.
Black Narcissus has an audience rating of 8.7 out of 10.
Black Narcissus had a budget of $1.2M.
Black Narcissus has made $166K at the box office.