2 nominations
The much admired Himalayan scenery was all created in the studio (with glass shots and hanging miniatures).
Jack Cardiff came up with the idea of starting the rainfall end scene by first having a few drops hit the rhubarb leaves before cueing a full-force rainstorm. He personally created the first drops with water from a cup when the scene was shot. Michael Powell was so pleased with the effect that he decided to make the scene, originally the penultimate one, the closing shot. Cardiff, however, was a great fan of the original scene (which had already been shot) that was supposed to follow this one and close the film. To this day Cardiff amusingly calls the opening drops of the rainfall "the worst idea I ever had".
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.
Because of the Technicolor camera and film stock, the sets needed an astounding 800 foot-candles of light just to operate at T2.8, which was the widest lens aperture setting.
Sister Clodagh:
We all need discipline. You said yourself they're like children. Without discipline we should all behave like children.
Mr. Dean:
Oh. Don't you like children, Sister?
The Old General:
Do you see that crate? Sausages! They will eat sausages. Europeans eat sausages wherever they go.
Mother Dorothea:
Give her responsibility, Sister. She badly wants importance.
Sister Clodagh:
Do you think it's a good thing to let her feel important?
Mother Dorothea:
Spare her some of your own importance... if you can.
Sister Clodagh:
Well I really don't know what to do.
Mr. Dean:
What would Christ have done?
Young Prince:
5am to 7am, algebra with the mathematical Sister. 8am to 10am, religion, especially Christianity with the scriptural Sister. 10am, art. 1pm to 3pm, French and Russian with the French and Russian Sisters, if any. 3pm to 4pm, physics with the physical Sister.
Mother Dorothea:
Remember, the superior of all is the servant of all.
Sister Clodagh:
[to Mr. Dean] You are objectionable when sober, and abominable when drunk!
Edited into
A Bit of Scarlet (1997)
- Re-editing of dramatic scenes between Sisters Clodagh & Ruth
Referenced in
Hollywood Uncensored (1987)
- Martin Scorsese mentions Black Narcissus during an interview.
The Age of Innocence (1993)
- During a pivotal scene in NARCISSUS, a character is overcome with "color." (She literally sees red... the entire screen fills with red.) Scorsese, a student of Powell & Pressburger, did the same thing in AGE OF INNOCENCE (except he filled the screen with yellow.)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- At the end of the film when it begins to rain, the shot of the leaf as the rain picks up intensity is mirrored in Saving Private Ryan right before the soldiers enter the first French town after D-Day.
50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)
- Makes the countdown, is talked about.
"Law & Order: Charity Case (#17.12)" (2007)
- Sofia Archer mentions she was up for a role in a remake of the film.
Featured in
The Story of Making the Film They're a Weird Mob (1966)
Damned If You Don't (1987)
- Showing on TV at start of film
Remembering Sister Ruth (1997) (TV)
- clips
A Personal History of British Cinema by Stephen Frears (1997) (TV)
A Matter of Michael & Emeric (1997) (TV)
A Profile of 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' (2000) (V)
A Profile of 'Black Narcissus' (2000)
A Profile of 'The Red Shoes' (2000)
- Earlier Powell-Pressburger movie.
The 73rd Annual Academy Awards (2001) (TV)
50 Films to See Before You Die (2006) (TV)
- Clips shown.
Spoofed in
Legally Blonde (2001)