The Masters  
The Powell & Pressburger Pages

Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films.

A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it.

I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films.

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Inside sleeve of Steve's video

Black Narcissus (1947)
Powell and Pressburger added to their run of daring, stimulating and stylistic pictures with this melodrama about a group of Anglican nuns establishing a remote mission high in the Himalayas. Their physical environment - extreme temperature, illness and a young Indian Prince's perfume (Black Narcissus) - leads to psychological disturbance coupled with emotional weakness.

Jealousy, sexual repression and hysteria all play their part in a fantastic climax which ripped through the British stiff upper lip attitude of the time. The casting is inspired with brilliant performances from the principals and the film deservedly won Oscars for Colour Cinematography and Art Direction.


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