A group of Anglican nuns travel to a remote location in the Himalayas (the Palace of Mopu, near Darjeeling) to set up a school and hospital and 'tame' the local people and environment, by conversion and gardening, only to find themselves increasingly seduced by the sensuality of their surroundings in a converted seraglio, and by the local British agent Dean (David Farrar). Clodagh (Deborah Kerr), the Sister Superior, is attempting to forget a failed romance at home in Ireland. Tensions mount as Dean's laid-back charm makes an impression on Clodagh, but also attracts the mentally unstable Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron), who becomes pathologically jealous of Clodagh, resulting in a nervous breakdown and a violent climax. In a subplot, 'the Young General' (Sabu), heir to the throne of a princely Indian state who has come to the convent for his education, becomes infatuated with Kanchi, a lower caste dancing girl (Jean Simmons).
Deviations from the novel-While much of the film's dialogue is taken verbatim from the novel, the film does not follow the novel exactly. In particular the film does not include Mr Dean's rejection of Sister Clodagh's design for the chapel, in favour of his own design of an open-sided building without door, located atop the ridge, above the Holy Man. Additionally, the film does not have Sister Philippa being replaced by Sister Adela, a stern nun who is horrified at the dereliction of duty by the original nuns.
The filmmakers were recognized with several awards for their work on Black Narcissus: Jack Cardiff won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and a Golden Globe Award for Best Cinematography, Alfred Junge won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction, Deborah Kerr won a New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress
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