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Black Narcissus.



I first saw it when I was a schoolchild - I had no idea. I'm now an OAP - I still have no idea!!!!!!!

I did enjoy the series (though as a bit of a Gemma Arterton fan I'd probably have watched it anyway ), but ever since I heard it announced it felt a bit of a strange choice as a drama adaptation by the BBC.

Firstly, the Powell and Pressburger movie's a classic of British cinema, so they were always likely to be on a hiding to nothing anyway. But also the psychological "basis" behind the story seems rather out-of-date to modern eyes (the original book was written in 1939, and was a bit melodramatic even then... ).

Eugene's Lair

I did enjoy the series (though as a bit of a Gemma Arterton fan I'd probably have watched it anyway ), but ever since I heard it announced it felt a bit of a strange choice as a drama adaptation by the BBC.

Firstly, the Powell and Pressburger movie's a classic of British cinema, so they were always likely to be on a hiding to nothing anyway. But also the psychological "basis" behind the story seems rather out-of-date to modern eyes (the original book was written in 1939, and was a bit melodramatic even then... ).

The Powell/Pressburger film is a classic as you say.

Rumer Godden was born in India and lived there during her early childhood. Another of her books "The River" was also set in India and was about a teenager's coming of age. It was made into a film by Jean Renoir in 1951. I've never seen it but it's worth watching if you ever get the chance. It's one of Martin Scorcese's favourite films and was a major influence on Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited". Incidentally, the teenager's father was played by Esmond Knight. For those of you who are familiar with Michael Powell's films, Knight was in a number of his films. He was the old general in "Black Narcissus".

El Loro
@El Loro posted:

The Powell/Pressburger film is a classic as you say.

Rumer Godden was born in India and lived there during her early childhood. Another of her books "The River" was also set in India and was about a teenager's coming of age. It was made into a film by Jean Renoir in 1951. I've never seen it but it's worth watching if you ever get the chance. It's one of Martin Scorcese's favourite films and was a major influence on Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited". Incidentally, the teenager's father was played by Esmond Knight. For those of you who are familiar with Michael Powell's films, Knight was in a number of his films. He was the old general in "Black Narcissus".

I saw the original film when I was young,it was a favourite of my mother's , we had connections there as well.I have not read the book,it was probably out of print by the time I was old enough to read it.

thanks for the info though El Loro👍

Kaytee

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