7/30/2019 Black Narcisuss (1947) - Powell and Pressburger - Film Review

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Film Review Space & Environment

Black NarcissusDirectors: Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger

Figure 1 Figure 2

Black Narcissusis a British 1947 film from the direction team of Michael Powell and

Emeric Pressburger, and is based on the Rumer Godden 1939 novel which shares the

same name. The film is considered a psychological drama and is centred on the

emotional tensions within a convent of nuns who are isolated within a valley in theHimalayas. The film has been considered to be one of the high points within

Technicolor photography.

Black Narcissus stars Deborah Kerr who leads an all-star cast including Kathleen

Byron and Jean Simmons in this wonderfully theatrical drama that plays out within

one of the most colourful and stunning film of its time. The exaggerated drama

builds on the narrative and immediately becomes an appeal to audiences, due to

way in which the emotions are emphasized and the affect which they have within

the dramatic dialogues between characters throughout the film. Critic Calhoun

notes;

Theatre this Michael Powell film most certainly is, as stressed by the gothic

melodrama of the story and the acting...(Calhoun, 2006)

It is possible that the melodrama is arguably one of the most effective conventions

inside the production that help to succeed the relatively dull idea of a narrative

which follows a convent nuns. However, the masterful acting allows viewers to

become attached to characters emotions, almost experiencing the repressive

feelings which are portrayed vividly, giving Black Narcissus a theatricality which

other films may not express. Furthermore, the use of the overbearing environments

7/30/2019 Black Narcisuss (1947) - Powell and Pressburger - Film Review

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and its vibrant imagery help to provide a great effect on the already existing feelings

and tensions, which both build and draw on the intense nature of its narrative.

Leading on from the use of the expanded environments, the beautiful yet

overpowering matte paintings imply various suggestive tones that can be explored

and analysed in multiple ways, yet it could be agreeable by many interpreters that

the iconic still which portrays the juxtaposition between the character and the living

quarters of the ever desirable Mr Dean, (Figure 2) is a great representation of the

luscious art direction, story, and hidden subtexts that run throughout. Empire

Magazine published a presentment that draws upon these aspects stating;

No amount of CGI could ever capture the dramatic splendour of the beautiful matte

paintings that push a church bell and the nuns emotions right to the edge of a

deep and deadly ravine.(Empire Magazine, 2005)

In agreement with Empire, the lack of CGI aids the stylistic principles which Powelland Pressburger incorporated, having the traditional artistic methods depict a strong

connection to themes within. Moreover, the symbolism within Figure 2 presents a

further summary of the whole narrative which is in play, having the juxtaposition

between the locations of the church bell and Dean s living quarters express the

concept of being on the verge of giving into to repressed desires, and taking that

step over the edge to relieve the sexual tensions that constantly build as the film

progresses.

Black Narcissus conveys these continuous ideas of sexual repression, but from a

personal standpoint the most successful draw is its cinematography, and in

agreement to writer Jon Niccum with his declaration stating that The

cinematography is unforgettable.(Niccum, 2002), the individual conventions togethercreate both an unforgettably theatrical and cinematic experience.

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Review Bibliography

References

Calhoun, D (2006) available at: www.timeout.com;

www.timeout.com/film/reviews/67935/black_narcissus.html[accessed online on 20

November 2012].

Empire Magazine (2005) available at:www.empireonline.com;http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=11330[accessed

online on 20 November 2012].

Niccum, J (2002) available at:www.rottentomatoes.com;http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_narcissus/ [accessed online on 21

November 2012].

Images

Figure 1: www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1010/420898.1010.A.jpg

Figure 2: www.yam-mag.com/wp-

content/uploads/2012/04/tcmff_black_narcissus.jpg

Figure 3: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3GYVUhUUUY/TW0AOpcbOAI/AAAAAAAACn0/J3PRBklJAOc/s1600/BlackNarcissus.j

pg

Figure 4: https://reader009.{domain}/reader009/html5/0425/5adf8e0937218/5adf8e0e8895b.jpg

Figure 5: http://filmfanatic.org/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Black-

Narcissus-Horror.png