Black Narcissus - The Criterion Collection

This explosive work about the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is the epitome of the sensuous style of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. A group of nuns—played by some of Britain’s finest actresses, including Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, and Flora Robson—struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad. A darkly grand film that won Oscars for Alfred Junge's art direction and Jack Cardiff's cinematography, Black Narcissus is one of the greatest achievements by two of cinema’s true visionaries.New, restored high-definition digital transfer, created with the participation of cinematographer Jack Cardiff and director Michael Powell’s widow, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, with uncompressed monaural soundtrackVideo introduction by filmmaker Bertrand TavernierAudio commentary featuring Powell and director Martin ScorseseThe Audacious Adventurer, a video piece in which Tavernier discusses the film and PowellProfile of “Black Narcissus,” a documentary featuring members of the Archers’ production teamPainting with Light, a documentary on Cardiff’s Oscar-winning work on Black NarcissusOriginal theatrical trailerPLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Kent Jones