MovieChat Forums > Black Narcissus Discussion > In terms of cinematography...

In terms of cinematography...


...this easily makes my top ten films of all time list. From the Technicolor film stock to the lighting to the lens choices to the compositions...it’s just absolutely perfect. I’m very excited to watch “The Red Shoes” now in order to see how the directors and DP built upon what they learned while filming “Black Narcissus”.

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I think the cinematography on most of the Powell and Pressburger is exceptional. I read Michael Powell's autobiography many years ago and there was a lot of detail about cameras, cameramen, film stock, set design and designers - these guys worked hard to create perfect pictures.

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I’m definitely adding that autobiography to my Goodreads queue as we speak. Thanks for the recommendation.

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It actually comes as two thick volumes and I remember there were a few challenges to what he'd written - they were a good read though.

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It is amazing! It seems like it could have been shot in modern times.

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I understand that you meant it as a compliment, but I would have to disagree. A modern film wouldn’t have anywhere near the depth and richness of color found in this film due to the Technicolor process that was utilized. Instead, you’d have everything captured in RAW format on some Red or Arri digital camera, and then manipulated in post until the “proper” color is achieved. It’s rare to find a current director who has enough self-control to make this method look good, without everything ending up being either too dark or too overly-saturated (or both). Long story short, modern cinematography techniques are disgustingly inferior to what was considered the norm in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s.

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Absolutely, I meant more so specifically a filmmaker like Paul Thomas Anderson who shoots his films on 70mm. It is interesting though how while watching it, I could easily imagine how a modern filmmaker would shoot it. The lead actor even resembles Daniel Day Lewis and Ralph Fiennes; I could imagine one of them in the role if it were made in the 1990s or 2000s.

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It's a gorgeous film. I sent a few stills to a friend he was surprised, saying he expects old films to look "like Star Trek."

It's a fantastic looking movie, from the cinematography to set design, and the acting compliments the visuals quite well.

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