FILM 2127: BLACK NARCISSUS (1947)

FILM 2127: BLACK NARCISSUS (1947)

TRIVIA: The much admired Himalayan scenery was all created in the studio (with glass shots and hanging miniatures), much to the surprise of some cast and crewmembers who were anticipating a location shoot in Asia.

The backdrops were blown-up black and white photographs. The art department then gave them their breathtaking colors by using pastel chalks on top of them.

Jack Cardiff said that the lighting and color palette of this film was inspired by the works of 17th-century Dutch painter Vermeer.

Johannes Vermeer has been mentioned as an inspiration for the lighting and color palette. A tribute to this Dutch painter can be seen in the opening scene when the Mother Superior is reading a letter, while facing a window. An image used by Vermeer in some of his most famous paintings.

The locals call the nuns 'lemini' (which sounds like 'lemony'), an obscure word that appears to mean something like 'sister.' It is taken directly from Rumer Godden's original novel.

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #93.

Michael Powell was reluctant to cast Deborah Kerr, fearing she was too young at twenty-five to play a sister superior. Emeric Pressberger pushed for her to be given the role, which ended up becoming her breakout and getting her the attention of Hollywood.

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

I’m making my way through the book "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider. See my blog post about my copy of the book here…

You can buy an updated version (which I will get after I’ve made my way through this edition) here…

I really hope you can come on this journey with me – if you do I’d love to know which films you’ve enjoyed the most! 

Watch this here..