---
product_id: 158296847
title: "Black Narcissus"
price: "AED 92"
currency: AED
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.ae/products/158296847-black-narcissus
store_origin: AE
region: United Arab Emirates
---

# Black Narcissus

**Price:** AED 92
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Black Narcissus
- **How much does it cost?** AED 92 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ae](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/158296847-black-narcissus)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

After opening a convent in the Himalayas, five nuns encounter conflict and tension - both with the natives and also within their own group - as they attempt to adapt to their remote, exotic surroundings.

Review: Remarkable, on many levels... - The Criterion DVD edition of "Black Narcissus" brings out the most brilliant aspects of the film, a brightness and splendor that makes the drab Order of Mary nuns re-think a few things. The magnificent & exotic locale, high in the Himalayas, as well as clashing cultures trying to meld, make this a most absorbing experience. Okay, the nuns take a castle in the mountains to teach the locals. That's all I'll tell of the plot. The psychological experiences of each nun are vividly portrayed, as well as the intrusion of a local girl and an Indian prince. A very mystic atmosphere pervades, and the nuns start thinking mundane thoughts. Ah! The mystery of the mountains! It's a bit of a downer to find out that you're not seeing the Himalayas in their splendor; rather, all was filmed on a stage in England. The Oscar-winning art direction and cinematography are totally responsible for creating this wonderfully mysterious place. The Criterion version preserves the phenomenal photography, with colors clashing against each other, creating a visual display of the confusion those poor nuns were facing. Indeed, they all changed, in one way or another. Clear and crisp, you can see every facial wrinkle and every minute detail of costumes and jewelry. A fine achievement. Shadows against sunlight, and brilliant color...quite lovely. It's fun to see a post-adolescent Sabu, though here he plays a fancy young guy and looks uncomfortable, considering his greatest fame came wearing a much more comfortable loincloth. The rest of the acting is excellent, without exception. Deborah Kerr, in one of her first big roles, is commanding, as well as Kathleen Byron, Flora Robson, David Farrar, and an amazing performance by a 17-year old Jean Simmons, as a little Indian tart. I was most taken with the performance of May Hallatt as the crazy caretaker of the palace, who really put a lot in perspective. It's impressive that director Powell and writer Pressburger were in such close collaboration that they took equal credit for everything. As the liner notes tell, England was slow to recover after WW II, and watching the English nuns leave the most spiritual surroundings somehow suggest that the English had no business in India. They didn't understand their surroundings. Interesting. (David Lean's wonderful "A Passage to India" had a similar message). There is a cleansing rainstorm as the nuns leave, which suggests that life will go on, as usual, though the look on Farrar's face at the end is less than hopeful. My favorite moment is when May Hallatt finds out a bunch of "ladies" will be coming, expecting the old days of the harems. Imagine her surprise when she gets a bunch of nuns. If you haven't seen this film already, prepare yourself for a truly visual treat. Young filmmakers should see this, to learn about plot/character development, real conflict & resolution. I'm glad to own it.I
Review: The Archers at their best - Black Narcissus (1947) is another Powell and Pressburger masterpiece, right on the heels of their more famous film, The Red Shoes (1948). In Black Narcissus, we’re brought into a world of nuns trying to establish a convent in the Himalayas, and the external and internal conflicts that arise from such an undertaking. Strong emotions of jealousy, infatuation, and erotic passion bring this film to an unforgettable climax. Kathleen Bryon is incredible as Sister Ruth, a deranged nun who pursues a man who doesn’t want her professed love. Her makeup job near the end of the film as she’s going mad is an image that will stay with you. Deborah Kerr is amazing as Sister Clodagh, a woman who’s the voice of reason among the nuns. The rich color and beautiful lighting patterns really evoke the right mood and tone for the story. This film is sort of a cross between The Bell’s of St. Mary’s, The Wizard of Oz (it’s darker elements), and Vertigo, though the latter came out 11 years later. Overall, this Criterion Collection blu ray is spectacular, offering a great picture and sound, as well as a booklet and interesting special features. I highly recommend this film for its amazing presentation by two very talented directors.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Contributor | Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Jenny Laird, Judith Furse, Kathleen Byron, Esmond Knight, Sabu, David Farrar, Jean Simmons, May Hallatt, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Rumer Godden Contributor Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Jenny Laird, Judith Furse, Kathleen Byron, Esmond Knight, Sabu, David Farrar, Jean Simmons, May Hallatt, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Rumer Godden See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 556 Reviews |
| Format | NTSC |
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 40 minutes |

## Product Details

- **Genre:** Drama
- **Format:** NTSC
- **Contributor:** Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Rumer Godden, Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Jenny Laird, Judith Furse, Kathleen Byron, Esmond Knight, Sabu, David Farrar, Jean Simmons, May Hallatt, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
- **Language:** English
- **Runtime:** 1 hour and 40 minutes

## Images

![Black Narcissus - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jub3FNafL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Remarkable, on many levels...
*by R***A on January 4, 2004*

The Criterion DVD edition of "Black Narcissus" brings out the most brilliant aspects of the film, a brightness and splendor that makes the drab Order of Mary nuns re-think a few things. The magnificent & exotic locale, high in the Himalayas, as well as clashing cultures trying to meld, make this a most absorbing experience. Okay, the nuns take a castle in the mountains to teach the locals. That's all I'll tell of the plot. The psychological experiences of each nun are vividly portrayed, as well as the intrusion of a local girl and an Indian prince. A very mystic atmosphere pervades, and the nuns start thinking mundane thoughts. Ah! The mystery of the mountains! It's a bit of a downer to find out that you're not seeing the Himalayas in their splendor; rather, all was filmed on a stage in England. The Oscar-winning art direction and cinematography are totally responsible for creating this wonderfully mysterious place. The Criterion version preserves the phenomenal photography, with colors clashing against each other, creating a visual display of the confusion those poor nuns were facing. Indeed, they all changed, in one way or another. Clear and crisp, you can see every facial wrinkle and every minute detail of costumes and jewelry. A fine achievement. Shadows against sunlight, and brilliant color...quite lovely. It's fun to see a post-adolescent Sabu, though here he plays a fancy young guy and looks uncomfortable, considering his greatest fame came wearing a much more comfortable loincloth. The rest of the acting is excellent, without exception. Deborah Kerr, in one of her first big roles, is commanding, as well as Kathleen Byron, Flora Robson, David Farrar, and an amazing performance by a 17-year old Jean Simmons, as a little Indian tart. I was most taken with the performance of May Hallatt as the crazy caretaker of the palace, who really put a lot in perspective. It's impressive that director Powell and writer Pressburger were in such close collaboration that they took equal credit for everything. As the liner notes tell, England was slow to recover after WW II, and watching the English nuns leave the most spiritual surroundings somehow suggest that the English had no business in India. They didn't understand their surroundings. Interesting. (David Lean's wonderful "A Passage to India" had a similar message). There is a cleansing rainstorm as the nuns leave, which suggests that life will go on, as usual, though the look on Farrar's face at the end is less than hopeful. My favorite moment is when May Hallatt finds out a bunch of "ladies" will be coming, expecting the old days of the harems. Imagine her surprise when she gets a bunch of nuns. If you haven't seen this film already, prepare yourself for a truly visual treat. Young filmmakers should see this, to learn about plot/character development, real conflict & resolution. I'm glad to own it.I

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Archers at their best
*by T***7 on April 19, 2020*

Black Narcissus (1947) is another Powell and Pressburger masterpiece, right on the heels of their more famous film, The Red Shoes (1948). In Black Narcissus, we’re brought into a world of nuns trying to establish a convent in the Himalayas, and the external and internal conflicts that arise from such an undertaking. Strong emotions of jealousy, infatuation, and erotic passion bring this film to an unforgettable climax. Kathleen Bryon is incredible as Sister Ruth, a deranged nun who pursues a man who doesn’t want her professed love. Her makeup job near the end of the film as she’s going mad is an image that will stay with you. Deborah Kerr is amazing as Sister Clodagh, a woman who’s the voice of reason among the nuns. The rich color and beautiful lighting patterns really evoke the right mood and tone for the story. This film is sort of a cross between The Bell’s of St. Mary’s, The Wizard of Oz (it’s darker elements), and Vertigo, though the latter came out 11 years later. Overall, this Criterion Collection blu ray is spectacular, offering a great picture and sound, as well as a booklet and interesting special features. I highly recommend this film for its amazing presentation by two very talented directors.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CLASSIC FILM
*by S***N on January 3, 2026*

EXCELLENT CONDITION, SPEEDY DELIVERY

## Frequently Bought Together

- Black Narcissus
- A Matter of Life and Death (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]
- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

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*Product available on Desertcart United Arab Emirates*
*Store origin: AE*
*Last updated: 2026-04-28*