Black Narcissus is the third novel by English writer Rumer Godden and was published in 1939. It was adapted into the 1947 film of the same name. A group of English nuns travel to Mopu (near Darjeeling) to create a convent school. They are situated in a palace at the top of an isolated mountain above a valley in the Himalayas. The palace has ancient and erotic artwork on the walls and was once a harem. Although the sisters' intentions are noble, they understand little of the area's people and culture. Mr. Dean, a local agent, predicts the failure of their mission. Sister Clodagh, the Sister Superior of the group, is ambitious but questions her capabilities. She persists, sometimes clashing with Mr. Dean. Sister Ruth becomes increasingly emotionally unwell.
Adaptations (2)
Black Narcissus has been adapted 2 times, across film and television series, from 1947 to 2020.
Black Narcissus1947 · film · 101 min · dir. Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger · IMDb ↗A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.
Black Narcissus2020 · television series · 176 min · IMDb ↗IMDb5.9Himalayas, 1934. A remote clifftop palace once known as the ‘House of Women’ holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. Adaptation of the 1939 novel by Rumer Godden.
