The Legacy of Black Narcissus

#PowellAndPressberger
The legendary filmmaking duo of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger released a masterpiece in 1947 - following the doomed mission of a convent of nuns trying to westernize an Indian village. With its striking use of Technicolor and top drawer performances from Deborah Kerr, Sabu and Kathleen Byron - it's understandably gone down as a classic.

But it also could be argued as a deconstruction of imperialism right before India got its independence from Britain.

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[LorriePenfield]

Brilliant movie. Very thought provoking. And brillant analysis of the movie. Most Indian people I have met deeply resent the British coming to India. But I met a few who were happy they came to India and learned English, because now they are successful worldwide in computers. But nevertheless, I wonder how English people would feel if Indians came and completely took over England. Trevor Noah does a great spoof on the English coming to India.

[MaxwellsDemon]

Thank you for the incredibly informative review and insightful analysis. Wikipedia says the sisters are Anglican nuns, but I believe that's a mistake. The Servants of Mary are a Catholic order.

[melodramaboy]

Fascinating analysis of this masterpiece. Deborah Kerr won the first of her three New York Critics' Best Actress awards for her Sister Clodagh (and her delicious Bridie Quilty in I See a Dark Stranger). I would have loved to hear more of your thoughts about the evolution of Clodagh (those flashbacks were often cut in the original US screenings) and Deborah's sublime performance. Nonetheless, this is a terrific discussion.

[JuriAmari]

Black Narcissus was fascinating, especially with Sr. Ruth’s story. I first came across it on a random flip through TCM. It also brought me over to another Deborah Kerr film where she also played a nun called Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. I kinda think of it as a prequel to Black Narcissus even though I think that one was made a little later (I’ll need to look it up).
I’m curious about your take on Zulu and the mini series Shaka Zulu. I really enjoyed your analysis of Imitation of Life and I think you’d have a blast exploring them.
Also that discussion about leading ladies could be another one, especially the fear of ruining public image for wanting to do more risky parts that have nothing to do with the actress’s personality outside of her role. Rebecca Schaffer immediately came to mind when you said that. (It was also the lack of privacy and safety but that good vs bad girl polarization had a lot to do with it as well)
Also Bette Davis is a boss.

[angryowl]

As an Indian and a Hindu, the portrayal of Hindu attitudes towards Christianity is spot on. So is the subservience of the upper classes. The general believes that becoming Christian will give him class whereas the locals aren’t uncomfortable with their identity. Kanchi’s sexuality is judged and policed by the nuns as was Hindu sexuality. The “problematic” stuff may be uncomfortable to watch but it was honest and the whitewashing of it would only take away from the integrity of the film.

[darrenhoskins]

Madly beautiful film (eg the young sister Clodagh fishing in the shimmering water) ☺️☺️☺️- and a sex crazed killer nun on the loose

[maryh]

Thank you, interesting talk on Black Narcissus

[bobbyjosson]

A woeful, self-righteous, smarmy and puritanical look at the past, he must have got a university education to see everything through his prisms.

[kevinbernard]

black narcissus 1947 is a fantastic 👌 movie with quality acting ..my only issue is I wish kanchi aka Jean simmons had more scenes 😮

[rhodiusscrolls]

Very interesting and by the end of all this you have T Lobsang Rampa...did it take years to expose the hoax?

[lucazacforever]

Great great video! It's a shame you have few subscribers and views.

[MFLimited]

I think we are skipping the vamps from 100 years ago. Theda Bara, Clara Bow, Helen Gardner etc. Betty Davis was far from the first successful “bad girl” who didn’t play good girl next-door roles

[raconteurhermit]

The 1947 film "Black Narcissus" highlighted the dichotomy of this middle path of ascetism (especially of convent) is not sustainable & subtly hints Hindu philosophy of realistic view of life & dividing it in stages(or 4 ashrams ) is more sound
Ashrama in Hinduism is one of four age-based life stages discussed in Indian texts of the ancient and medieval eras. The four ashramas are: Brahmacharya (student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (forest walker/forest dweller), and Sannyasa (renunciate).

[tatioulene]

I'm from France. Kathleen byron is exceptional. Her character is despiscable but in fact not, she suffers. She's racist that's why thé sisters destinés her

[roryboytube]

Too much revisionist thinking here as usual.
Yes the aim was clearly to highlight the clash of culture and inherent racism but in 1947 but I doubt they would be taking such post millennial British bashing views or such "progressive" views at that period.
Christian missions were active long before & independent of British Imperialism.
Progressives hiding in plain sight would not have been putting Jean Simmons in black Face
belittling and stereotyping an obvious gay character.
Mansplaining the ridiculous hero in short shorts all over the shop.
That would work today as a sharp jar to make a point but it was most likely just run of the mill film production in 1947.
This movie is more about realism and its revealed in the expression of the scenes in the moment rather than trying to make sense of a total plot or message.
That is revealed in the flowers v vegetables, The old man v. Mr Dean. The nuns backstory v their mission. The reality of the natives v. what anyone else wants them to try to be.
They are neither portrayed as good or bad, just simple (in the sense of living in the moment).
The convent v. the brothel.
The glorious technical beauty of film rather than a story or plot, which is largely irrelevant here.
The film is remarkable because of cinematography, artwork, expressionism, use of colour.
Acting, political messages etc are largely irrelevant and forgettable.

[gerry]

Sorry Bob, wearing a baseball cap reversed has lost you a great deal of credibility.