Name: Black Narcissus
Genre: Drama
Duration: 100 min
Cast: Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar

Oscar · 2Globe · 1

Spoiler-free premise

After opening a convent in the Himalayas, five nuns encounter conflict and tension as they attempt to adapt to their remote, exotic surroundings.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Anglican nuns establish a convent, school, and hospital in a former palace high in the Himalayas. The altitude, sensual murals, local customs, British agent Mr. Dean, and repressed memories strain Sister Clodagh and destabilize Sister Ruth.

Why it belongs

In Black Narcissus, Powell and Pressburger make repression architectural through painted Himalayan space, feverish color, wind, bells, and Kathleen Byron's unraveling Sister Ruth.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Deborah Kerr and Kathleen Byron embody opposing forms of restraint. Matte mountains, red lipstick, white habits, palace murals, open windows, tolling bells, and Jack Cardiff's saturated light frame the convent as psychological pressure.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards2 wins1948 · official ceremony record ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

Golden Globes1 win1948 · official film record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for

Film Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Black Narcissus

Double Feature