Black Narcissus begins with the main characters, a group of nuns from an Anglican Christian church, moving to a remote area in the famed Himalayan Mountain range. No - they aren't there for mountain climbing. Instead, it is their plan to set up a school for the local people to learn about Christianity. Their mission is to be successful missionaries.
However, the nuns become distracted with local myth, charms, and the nature surrounding them. It is all too easy to give into other ideas when you are so isolated, and that is exactly what the nuns do. They are not sure if they are being manipulated by some sort of magic charms, but their actions do seem to be irrational.
Sister Superior is one of the most recognizable nuns in the film, as she is trying to forget a "failed romance" that she had with a man back in Ireland. However, with things so tempting here in the Himalayas, she is not sure she can resist all of the men.
The film combines elements of Christianity and Hinduism, which do not typically merge as religions. Tensions are increased, as some of the prospects on the Hindu side are of lower caste, which means they should technically not be associating with anyone outside their ranks.
