IMDb >
Black Narcissus (1947)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at
blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
blockbuster.com
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBlack Narcissus (1947) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
December 1947 (USA) moreTagline:
Exquisite Yearning ! . . . Exotic Living ! High in a hidden mountain village of a strange land and extravagant dreams and desires become exciting realities ! morePlot:
Anglican nuns, led by the stern Sister Clodagh, attempt to establish a religious community in the Himalayas... more | add synopsisAwards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins moreNewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Tetro—A Question for Francis Ford Coppola (From Twitch. 1 July 2009, 5:15 PM, PDT)
Jack Cardiff Dies
(From EmpireOnline. 23 April 2009, 5:46 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Brooding atmosphere of its own...gorgeous color photography... moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Deborah Kerr | ... | Sister Clodagh | |
| Flora Robson | ... | Sister Philippa | |
| Jean Simmons | ... | Kanchi | |
| David Farrar | ... | Mr. Dean | |
| Sabu | ... | The Young General | |
| Esmond Knight | ... | The Old General | |
| Kathleen Byron | ... | Sister Ruth | |
| Jenny Laird | ... | Sister Honey | |
| Judith Furse | ... | Sister Briony | |
| May Hallatt | ... | Angu Ayah | |
| Shaun Noble | ... | Con, Clodagh's Childhood Sweetheart | |
| Eddie Whaley Jr. | ... | Joseph Anthony, Young Interpreter | |
| Nancy Roberts | ... | Mother Dorothea | |
| Ley On | ... | Phuba, Dean's Servant |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Le narcisse noir (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]Schwarze Narzisse (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Czarny narcyz (Poland) [pl]
De zwarte narcissus (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
Den sorte lilje (Denmark) [da]
Die schwarze Narzisse (Germany) [de]
Het huis der vrouwen (Netherlands) [nl]
Musta narsissi (Finland) [fi]
Narciso Negro (Brazil) [pt]
Narciso negro (Spain) [es]
Narciso nero (Italy) [it]
O mavros narkissos (Greece) [el]
Quando os Sinos Dobram (Portugal) [pt]
Svart narcissus (Sweden) [sv]
more
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
100 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Certification:
Australia:PG | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:12 (2004) | West Germany:16 | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #11874, Adult Audience) | UK:U (video rating) (1986) (uncut) | UK:PG (re-rating) (1985) (uncut) | UK:A (original rating) (cut)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Jack Cardiff came up with the idea of starting the rainfall end scene by first having a few drops hit the rhubarb leaves before cueing a full-force rainstorm. He personally created the first drops with water from a cup when the scene was shot. Michael Powell was so pleased with the effect that he decided to make the scene, originally the penultimate one, the closing shot. Cardiff, however, was a great fan of the original scene (which had already been shot) that was supposed to follow this one and close the film. To this day Cardiff amusingly calls the opening drops of the rainfall "the worst idea I ever had". moreGoofs:
Continuity: Two similar Christian religious statues are shown in the convent in the film. One is on the floor in the blue room where Dean first meets Sister Clodagh to talk business. It is hidden behind the nuns where they enter to speak to Dean. Another very similar statue, but bearing a cross (possibly St Faith), is shown next to Dean as he converses with Sister Clodagh. It has some packing material (straw) on it (19:02). Later on, this second statue is shown being unpacked from its crate by Dean and a servant to be placed above the doorway leading to the yard (27:27). moreQuotes:
Young Prince: 5am to 7am, algebra with the mathematical Sister. 8am to 10am, religion, especially Christianity with the scriptural Sister. 10am, art. 1pm to 3pm, French and Russian with the French and Russian Sisters, if any. 3pm to 4pm, physics with the physical Sister. moreSoundtrack:
Lullay My Liking moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Black Narcissus (1947) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Night of the Hunter | Giant | The Fall | Gone with the Wind | Au revoir les enfants |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












Deborah Kerr is designated to establish a convent in the Himalayas at a remote cliffside dwelling, a palace of dubious origin. She takes her assignment seriously and faces strange customs and unfamiliar peoples as well as a harsh climate. There are inner struggles as well, and Kerr is excellent at revealing these. Huge closeups reveal what her character is supposedly thinking as she peers at others, often in unspoken disapproval of their actions, particularly David Farrar, Jean Simmons (as an Indian girl), and Kathleen Byron--who gives the film's most urgent performance as the distraught nun with worldly pleasures on her mind. Kerr gives a faultless performance, the mainstay of the film, since most of the story is seen from her viewpoint.
The striking color photography and set decoration were rightfully awarded Oscars. A haunting, powerful study of the effects of loneliness and isolation on a group of nuns--and what happens when one of them goes beserk. The struggle between the two nuns at the bell tower is one of the most gripping climaxes ever. A richly detailed British film with a windswept atmosphere all its own.