Principal cast
Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, Flora Robson and Esmond Knight
Film 245 of 498 on the Screen Path
Black Narcissus
A story of exquisite yearning in a strange and beautiful land. Towering over the screen ... as the mountains that saw it happen.
About the film
Black Narcissus at a glance.
Screen Path places this 1947 film at stop 245 in one curated journey through cinema. The learning experience adds context before you watch and deeper analysis after.
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.
Key craft credits
Jack Cardiff (director of photography), Reginald Mills (editor), Brian Easdale (original music composer) and Alfred Junge (production design)
- Director
- Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell
- Release
- 1947-05-26
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
- Genres
- Drama
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Quiz
- 50 questions
The Screen Path journey
Before. After. Remember.
The featured film is watched outside Screen Path. The app provides the learning experience around it: a guide, an analysis, and a quiz with explanations.
01
Before you watch
Start with a spoiler-free video guide to the context and filmmaking choices worth noticing.
Spoiler-free02
After the film
Return after watching for a deeper video analysis of craft, meaning, and legacy.
Contains spoilers03
Quiz yourself
Answer 50 questions with clear rationales designed to make the ideas stick.
50 questions in this journeyCitizen Kane is the complete public example: both learning videos and a five-question sample quiz are available below.
Start the example →Full cast
Full cast
- Deborah KerrCharacter: Sister Clodagh
- SabuCharacter: The Young General
- David FarrarCharacter: Mr. Dean
- Flora RobsonCharacter: Sister Philippa
- Esmond KnightCharacter: The Old General
- Jean SimmonsCharacter: Kanchi
- Kathleen ByronCharacter: Sister Ruth
- Jenny LairdCharacter: Sister Honey
- Judith FurseCharacter: Sister Briony
- May HallattCharacter: Angu Ayah
- Eddie Whaley Jr.Character: Joseph Anthony
- Shaun NobleCharacter: Con
Full crew
Full crew
- Michael PowellCredits: Writer, Producer, Director
- Emeric PressburgerCredits: Writer, Director, Producer
- Jack CardiffCredits: Director of Photography
- George R. BusbyCredits: Producer
- Brian EasdaleCredits: Original Music Composer
- Rumer GoddenCredits: Novel
- Reginald MillsCredits: Editor
- George BlacklerCredits: Makeup Artist
- Sydney PearsonCredits: Special Effects
- Biddy ChrystalCredits: Hairstylist
- Alfred JungeCredits: Production Design
- Jack HigginsCredits: Special Effects
- E. HagueCredits: Special Effects
- James SnowCredits: Special Effects
- Hein HeckrothCredits: Costume Design
- Kenneth RickCredits: Second Assistant Director
- Laurie KnightCredits: Third Assistant Director
- Sydney StreeterCredits: Assistant Director
- Ernest GasserCredits: Assistant Makeup Artist
- Robert LynnCredits: Third Assistant Director
- Adele RaymondCredits: Casting
- Vishwanatha NageshkarCredits: Set Designer
- June RobinsonCredits: Assistant Hairstylist
- Pat MacDonnellCredits: Second Assistant Director
- Gordon K. McCallumCredits: Sound
- Stanley LambourneCredits: Sound Designer
- George PaternosterCredits: Boom Operator
- Elliot ScottCredits: Draughtsman
- Max RosherCredits: Still Photographer
Film data and images provided by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.