"Black Narcissus" Review

 

by Daniel White

Having spent much of the past week looking at film noir, I decided to switch gears and go in a different direction - nun noir. Black Narcissus (1947) is an unusual film, striking in both its boldness of content and beauty. It explores themes of sexual repression, as well as ordinary frustrations found in religious life. No surprise that it was vehemently denounced by the Catholic National Legion of Decency, though these women are not Catholic but Anglican. It's also a movie that looks exquisite with arresting cinematography by Jack Cardiff and mouth watering set designs by Alfred Junge. Both men deservedly won Oscars for their efforts. Brian Easdale should be commended as well for composing a delicious musical score. It should be noted that the flick was shot almost entirely in studio. An amazing accomplishment by the directing and writing team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, Black Narcissus has influenced everyone from Martin Scorsese to the creators of the animated blockbuster, Frozen.

Deborah Kerr ("rhymes with star!") plays Sister Clodagh, a young sister who has been chosen to lead a group of nuns in a remote spot in the Himalayas, called Mopu. Inexperienced, the task of setting up a school and hospital for the native people soon proves to be an almost insurmountable task for her. This was the movie that sent Hollywood calling and it's easy to see why. Kerr is a great beauty, but her near perfect countenance never interferes with her ability to convey the conflict that is brewing inside Sister Clodagh. A proud yet untried novice, attempting to shepherd her fretful flock in a strange land, she is in constant threat to losing her tenuous grasp on the situation.

To make her hold on matters worse, she is forced to contend with Mr. Dean (David Farrar), a brusque, arrogant land agent, who manages the property. His help is indispensable, yet he emanates such manliness that the nuns are unsettled by his presence. Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron) is the nun most unhinged by Dean, and the already erratic woman soon begins to spiral downward toward madness. Byron is good, a demonic spirit who comes to believe that Sister Clodagh is her enemy. Things go from melodramatic to horrific when Ruth discards her white habit for a blood red dress. Hell-bent on fornicating with Dean and killing Clodagh, Ruth is almost unstoppable.

Ultimately, Black Narcissus is about what happens when two disparate cultures collide. The practical, sober sisters lose their way when confronted with the mystical, otherworldliness of Mopu. This spiritual unbalance is displayed to greatest effect with Sister Philippa (Flora Robson), the eldest of the nuns. Assigned to plant a vegetable garden, she inexplicably plants flowers. Time to go home, ladies...

Sabu is a young Indian prince who becomes infatuated with an even younger Jean Simmons, playing an untamed, native orphan. Presented by J. Arthur Rank, produced by The Archers and released by General Film Distributors, Black Narcissus is available on YouTube.