Black Narcissus

I didn't find it slow - the events actually unfolded at a reasonable pace, and all that repressed sexuality takes time to build up and convey. Loved the setting and the scenery, and the sexy Mr Dean. I did have my doubts about the laundry arrangements and how they all kept so clean and white. At the end I was half hoping that Dean would sweep Clodagh off her horse and carry her off to his cabin, but of course it would never have worked.

I enjoyed watching it, but yes it was predictable.I found Sister Clodagh a royal pain in the arse though ( the character, not her acting.)I didn’t find Mr Dean all that attractive, but he didn’t have to be, all he had to be was a fairly alpha male with a sensitive side in a palace full of repressed women.
Wonderful scenery, good acting and a good all round drama.

I’m sure some nuns were indeed no angels. You only need to look as far as the Magdalene Laundries to find that out Judy54.

I enjoyed the scenery in this adaptation but that’s it really.

I saw the original film and enjoyed the new TV series just as much. It is said that fact/truth is stranger than fiction. It certainly was for my Mother who worked in a convent and could not believe how rude, unkind and bitchy the Nuns were about each other. Perhaps being in such close contact like that brought the worst out in them as it did in Sister Ruth and Sister Clodagh.

I’m a bit late commenting as I didn’t watch the end until last night. I really enjoyed it - not much of a storyline as several people have said, but I thought it was atmospheric and slightly haunting. I did find Mr Dean very attractive - and with such penetrating (sorry if that sounds rude!) undress-me eyes! He seemed to be always there at every little incident which I found a bit odd, and almost laughable, but I liked the sexual tension he brought to the drama. I think he and Sister Clodagh has to really restrain themselves! If she hadn’t been a nun ......! I might read the book now - but not for a while - as I want the images from the programme to wane a bit first. 3 hours of drama which took me away from the Br.... word and the Co.... word!

She became a Catholic in later life, didn’t she. A fascinating woman.

The book is better than the film or TV adaptation. Rumer Godden really knew her stuff re locations but also about nuns. After reading Black Narcissus I read another book of hers featuring nuns. 'In this house of Brede'. It was very accurate as it had all been written with nuns as informants. I waited for an actual story to emerge but it seemed to be to be more of a soap based in a monastery. Yes monastery. These nuns were a particular order. I can't say I loved the book but it was interesting and opened a door into another world.

Well I really enjoyed it, going out of the room when scary height bits were shown, wonderful scenery. To be honest I felt the story was thin but I am going to read the book if I can get hold of it before I make a final judgement.

Sssh NanKate we didn't want anyone to know

Sparklefizz there have been rumours about you and MrDean ?

I couldn’t watched the scenes walking up those narrow steps to the Bell Tower really scary.

A favourite Christmas book of my daughters was The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden. I’m sure I bought it for her after seeing Tottie in the tv. I always thought, with a name like that she would have been Scandinavian.

I do want to see the film now....

We saw the original film many years ago at the NFT. Walking along the row past other audience members I thought I recognised the woman sitting next to me. Lo and behold, she appeared on screen - it was Kathleen Byron - Ruth. That was an excellent film and this version is good too.

Thanks Niobe. I think I may rewatch it to see the relationship develop.

Were it not for the scenery, a part of the world I always promised myself to visit but never managed I would not have watched all episode.
As were my feelings, in the Deborah Kerr version, I could not bring myself to switch off.

MayBee70- in the old film Sister Ruth was played by Kathleen Byron. Jean Simmons played Kanchi.

I have really enjoyed this version of Black Narcissus and I do so agree with previous posters re the dishy Mr Dean. I loved the ending when she tells him her name.

Sparklefizz

" Don't know who Mr Dean is but he would send me of the straight and narrow for sure!"

Yes, I wouldn't mind being stuck in the Himalayas with Mr Dean (and no, that's not a euphemism! )

That had me in tears....

I only know Gemma Arterton from Tess of the d’Urbevilles so I thought she was perfect for the part Yes: what with Mr Dean and the dishy priest from Fleabag being in His Dark Materials BBC drama is becoming a bit of a hunk fest.....

Callistemon

Grannynannywanny

I felt queasy during all the bell tower scenes

Me too, even when they were going up that staircase.

That staircase was terrifying. My legs turned to jelly and I had to look away.

" Don't know who Mr Dean is but he would send me of the straight and narrow for sure!"

Yes, I wouldn't mind being stuck in the Himalayas with Mr Dean (and no, that's not a euphemism! )

I haven't seen the last episode yet but I am really enjoying it even though I thought Gemma Arterton miscast (can't stop seeing her as a Sty Trinian's girl) I think she has made a good job of it. Don't know who Mr Dean is but he would send me of the straight and narrow for sure!

One of the reasons why I loved the film of Last of the Mohicans was because the two love affairs weren’t graphic and developed slowly. The only difference being that at the end of that I had an image of them living in a cabin in the woods and having domestic quarrels about Hawkeye not providing enough food for their dinner etc.

Did you notice that Sister Ruth was played by Jamie Dornans babysitter in The Fall? Another mad character.

I’d love to see the 1947 film now. Did Jean Simmons play Sister Ruth? In my film annuals they used to have signed full page pictures of the stars. Jean Simmons was one that I thought was incredibly beautiful.

I found it disappointing. I was expecting a more exciting,eventful ending and was left thinking,"is that it?"