Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
United Kingdom / English / 1947 / 1h 40m
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.
Guillermo del Toro
Sep 2025
1 streaming audio track
Commentary: Michael Powell and Martin Scorsese
Streaming now, and why it pairs with this film
Both on Ari Aster’s Top 10, both directed by Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell and Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, both with commentary by Martin Scorsese and Michael Powell, and both starring Deborah Kerr
Or
via Criterion Collection
via Criterion Collection
