 | Steve L. |
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
This must be the best classic ever produced by Vermeer. Every frame is a masterwork of lights. The storyline and dialogue are deliciously sarcastic augmented by superb acting from all, especially Kerr and Farrar. The photographer's love and knowledge about the Old Masters works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh made it possible to produce this film with such beauty and grace. This also shows how tragic we are nowadays being flooded by Gamevies, e.g., Terminator, that are produced by computer kids that have been raised by Nitendo. It is even sadder to see such computer generated Gamevies being embraced by too many 5 stars without commensurate merits. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | William H. |
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Good movie Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | James S. |
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
A CLASSIC! If you love film, "Black Narcissus" is a must-see. Breath-taking cinematography, lush colors, overwrought eroticism, splendid direction and incredible paintings! There is such an exotic look to the film that it is hard to believe that this was filmed entirely in Pine Wood Studios. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| James S. |
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful
A bit dated now as psychological melodrama, but still striking in so many ways. Jack Cardiff's masterful lighting and amazing Technicolor photography and the film's incredible art direction (the entire film was shot in Pinewood Studio and nearby) are now the chief reasons to watch this film. In an early performance, Deborah Kerr is a standout in the first of her several roles as a nun, and Kathleen Bryon's transformation from nun to ravaging she-wolf is amazing. And you may not believe that's Jean Simmons as a nubile teenage Indian serving girl. Although it's basically another tale of English reserve crumbling in an exotic (and erotic) land (i.e. "Passage to India"), Powell and Pressburger imbue it with emotional power and subtlety. The film still packs a wallop. The Criterion Blu-Ray transfer is pristine and possibly better than the film looked in theaters in original release. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Marilyn D. |
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful
Fun to see a young Deborah Kerr! Background info about technicolor very interesting. Was this review helpful? Yes
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 | Ron C. |
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A beautiful film-this DVD is flawlessly remastered. The movie itself, however, lacks any real story. Deborah Kerr gives a wooden performance as the world's most uptight nun, who, gulp, had a boyfriend once! Then there's the crazy nun, who at the end looks like a crazy vampire-nun. Sorta sexy, actually, but I digress.... Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Andy G. |
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
What a powerful film. I would first like to begin with talking about the colors used in this film. Why? Outside of the title, it is the most important element in the film. The colors that directors Powell and Pressburger use set the scene for many parts during the film. Red is another powerful color in this film. It is used to show anger, to show death, to show insanity, and even a moment of passion. The colors are being used to drive a message deeper to the viewer. Was it a film about religion, or more importantly about seclusion? The Sisters were not really secluded from other people, their seclusion comes from inside of them. I learned later that they were referencing the heart. So, as I continued to watch this film, I began to see that it was not a film about religion, but about the sanity of humans. Overall a very powerful film that will capture your mind and make you explore the intense nature of colors, humanity, and friendship. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Deborah H. |
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
This was an interesting movie. It makes you wonder how you keep a nun who supposedly to be insane around without getting her help and then to send her with another nun who has her own issues. She treats this nun and everyone so rudely and very judgemental of everything and everyone. So much for confidentiality when it came to the nun writing the Mother Superior about leaving. I was waiting for the expected ending. You see many of the scenes coming even before they occur. As one reviewer said, the colors were very nice. A somewhat decent movie to be watched when you have nothing else to do and what to see an old film. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Rose G. |
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful location, beautiful photography. The viewer is as distracted by the beauty of the location as are the Europeans in the film. To anyone who has ever grown-up being taught exclusively by nuns, the story is absurd. Priests, now that might possibly be another story. It's typical of that type of British, anti-Catholic film that we've seen before. Despite the high-toned presentation, it's the stuff of pulp fiction. Was this review helpful? Yes
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| Christopher T. |
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
All four stars are for the cinematography and the art direction--truly amazing. Be sure to watch the special features. The story? Poor Deborah Kerr has to hide her beautiful hair, while British hunk David Farrar struts shirtless in shorts, and Kathleen Byron goes understandably zombie-demonic, as she and everyone else wonders what those nuns are doing in Shangri-La. Was this review helpful? Yes
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