Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Black Narcissus
This explosive work about the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is the epitome of the sensuous style of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. A group of nuns—played by some of Britain’s finest actresses, including Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, and Flora Robson—struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad. A darkly grand film that won Oscars for Alfred Junge's art direction and Jack Cardiff's cinematography, Black Narcissus is one of the greatest achievements by two of cinema’s true visionaries.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer, created with the participation of cinematographer Jack Cardiff and director Michael Powell’s widow, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- Video introduction by filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier
- Audio commentary featuring Powell and director Martin Scorsese
- The Audacious Adventurer, a video piece in which Tavernier discusses the film and Powell
- Profile of “Black Narcissus,” a documentary featuring members of the Archers’ production team
- Painting with Light, a documentary on Cardiff’s Oscar-winning work on Black Narcissus
- Original theatrical trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Kent Jones
New cover by F. Ron Miller
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer, created with the participation of cinematographer Jack Cardiff and director Michael Powell’s widow, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- Video introduction by filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier
- Audio commentary featuring Powell and director Martin Scorsese
- The Audacious Adventurer, a video piece in which Tavernier discusses the film and Powell
- Profile of “Black Narcissus,” a documentary featuring members of the Archers’ production team
- Painting with Light, a documentary on Cardiff’s Oscar-winning work on Black Narcissus
- Original theatrical trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Kent Jones
New cover by F. Ron Miller
Cast
- Deborah Kerr
- Sister Clodagh
- Sabu
- The Young General
- David Farrar
- Mr. Dean
- Flora Robson
- Sister Philippa
- Esmond Knight
- The Old General
- Jean Simmons
- Kanchi
- Kathleen Byron
- Sister Ruth
- Jenny Laird
- Sister Honey
- Judith Furse
- Sister Briony
- May Hallatt
- Angu Ayah
- Eddie Whaley, Jr.
- Joseph Anthony
- Shaun Noble
- Con
- Nancy Roberts
- Mother Dorothea
Credits
- Director
- Michael Powell
- Director
- Emeric Pressburger
- Written, produced, and directed by
- Michael Powell
- Written, produced, and directed by
- Emeric Pressburger
- Adapted from the novel by
- Rumer Godden
- Photographed in Technicolor by
- Jack Cardiff
- Music and sound score composed and conducted by
- Brian Easdale
- Editing
- Reginald Mills
- Costumes
- Hein Heckroth
- Production design
- Alfred Junge
