20 Perfect Shots From Oscar Winning Movies

9. Black Narcissus - The Bell

Black Narcissus
Universal International

If you ever meet someone who says that "old" movies look boring, show them any of the bell-ringing sequences from Powell and Pressburger's 1947 classic drama.

When Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr) ventures to the peak of their Himalayan retreat to ring the mission bell, we're given a gorgeously vertiginous glimpse of the steep drop and sumptuous expanse below.

This was achieved by combining Jack Cardiff's Oscar-winning lensing with beautiful matte paintings from Walter Percy Day, creating a seamless look that's scarcely believable as 70 years old.

It's not just a showy shot, though: the film's climax takes place here as Clodagh faces off against the wayward Sister Ruth (Kathleen Byron), and seeing the height demonstrated so memorably only makes the finale that much more dangerous.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.