UK Dir: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger Key Cast: Deborah Kerr
Based on Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden (Novel)
Black Narcissus may not be one of my favourite Pressburger and Powell films but it's impossible not to appreciate how well-made it is.
Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr) is appointed as Sister Superior to a new convent in a remote area of the Himalayas. The nuns struggle with the isolation and the constant wind and the presence of Mr. Dean (David Farrar) makes some of them question their celibacy, especially the already highly-strung Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron).
I thought this was a good film about isolation and it's fascinating to see how all the nuns get ill or face some sort of emotional breakdown. The film is often described as an erotic thriller which feels like an odd description as there's only really a small part of the film that can be defined as this, though admittedly it's probably the most memorable part. It's more about people dealing with what's in their head and sexual fantasy is a small part of this.
The film can also be read as examining the British Empire- the convent here is a microcosm for the empire. In the same year as the film was released India gained independence from Britain, basically meaning the end of the British Empire. The film ends with the nuns leaving in shame and it feels similar to the British leaving India- they were never needed, they caused lots of problems and probably left the area in a worse state than it would have been otherwise.
The production side of things is incredible. The film marked what was probably the most impressive use of Technicolour to date and it really helps to bring the setting to life. Though set in the Himalayas, the film was almost entirely filmed at Pinewood Studios just outside London. You'd never know it though because the film looks really authentic thanks to some excellent sets and most notably some stunning painted backdrops that are very convincing.
I had problems with the racism of this film. One character literally says "They all look alike to me" and it seemed to be implied she was referring to basically all non-white people. It's OK for a character to be racist if there's an attempt to challenge that view but nothing ever comes close to that. Whenever the local people are discussed it's in a very negative way. Worst of all, there are very few Asian actors in the film with the majority of the Asian characters played by white actors in brown makeup.
Brilliantly well made and with some great ideas but it didn't quite do it for me.
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