Black Narcissus

[tiggerblue10]

Just finished watching this series on catch up but I didn't understand quite what was happening. Is it a supernatural story? Who was the girl that fell at the beginning?

Maybe I should've paid more attention!

Just started watching A Discovery of Witches from series one. Hope I understand that better.

[murraymints]

it is a remake of an old film..and most reports said it was right old poo ! supposed to be supernatural

[tiggerblue10]

The film version was shown over Xmas as well but I only caught the ending.

Oh well, doesn't look like I missed much if it was described as old poo! Ha

[Buenchico]

Does this explain anything?
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/dec/27/black-narcisssus-review-erotic-gothic-bbc

or this?
https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/black-narcissus-bbc-series-adaptation-rumer-godden-gemma-arterton-himalayan-mission-anglican-nuns

[Chinajan]

It was based on a book by Rumer Godden. Powell & Pressburger produced the first movie version starring Deborah Kerr and David Farrar.

The images from the past were from the history of the mountain palace which had previously been a Raja's palace and where he kept his concubines.

I liked this adaptation but preferred the earlier movie version.

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks Chris, will have a read of those later :o)

[margarettom]

The film was much better than the BBC version, which signalled what was supposed to be an unexpected and dramatic ending continuously through all the episodes.

[Chinajan]

Agree with that margarettom.

And Kathleen Byron was a far superior Sister Ruth.

[jno]

Kathleen Byron was wonderful but I can never get very excited by David Farrar. Michael Caine once cited him as what he didn't want to be himself: a big name at the time, totally forgotten by posterity. To me he's just a big lug with no charisma at all.

[Chinajan]

And those shorts!

[jno]

yup!

[Bordeaux]

The film version was the best I met Rumer Godden at
An Abbey many years ago she wrote In this House of Brede
Which was also a film and as she was a friend of the
Abbey I think she wrote some of her books with her knowning
The life of the nuns and her visits to them.

[Chinajan]

How interesting Bordeaux. Which abbey was that?