Period drama enthusiasts seeking escapism ought to check out this underrated gem, which guarantees a thoroughly captivating watch, following other viewers who have relished a perfect 10/10 Netflix series and some who have experienced a "masterful" BBC programme, reports the Mirror.

The film available on ITVX boasts a mesmerising setting and narrative designed to captivate audiences completely.

Numerous viewers have previously sung the movie's praises, with one individual awarding it a perfect 10/10 on IMDb under the heading: "A Hypnotic and Dazzling Film."

They proceeded to elaborate: "This spellbinding movie from that spellbinding film-making team (Powell and Pressburger) is another entry in the long line of literary and film stories that revolve around British restraint and repression unraveling under the force of mysterious foreign cultures (usually Eastern and frequently Indian), and it's one of the best."

A second viewer proclaimed: "A classic that remains more watchable than most modern films."

The cinema-goer went on to heap further acclaim upon the production: "If I were asked to identify one feature which alone marks a film as a true classic, it would be a visual experience that transports the viewer into the world portrayed in the film so convincingly that he or she becomes oblivious to faults, whether in the costumes, the acting, the sets, the camera work, the editing, the dialogue, or the remainder of the sound track including (if any) the score."

Another highly-rated critique declared: "This Powell-Pressburger film is one of the most beautifully photographed color [sic] movies ever made."

One viewer praised the film as "beautiful" and a "masterpiece", confessing they'd already watched it seven times.

Another fan described it as "A beautiful and haunting movie experience", elaborating: "It's one of the most beautiful Technicolor films ever made and the recreation of those distant Himalayas are fantastic. It's hard to believe they never left Britain."

The psychological drama Black Narcissus was released in 1947, based on the 1939 novel by Rumer Godden.

The film was the brainchild of renowned British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who jointly wrote, directed and produced the feature.

The plot revolves around a group of nuns who embark on a mission to the Himalayas in India to establish a school and hospital in a former harem once owned by Raj.

However, the British nuns encounter difficulties from the start as they grapple with the harsh climate, adapt to the local culture and deal with the locals, with their surroundings very much taking over.

Each sister finds herself succumbing to the environment, whether through ill-health, offending the locals or simply descending into madness.

The thriller period drama starred Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, and Flora Robson, Esmond Knight, Jean Simmons, and Kathleen Byron.

Black Narcissus received critical acclaim upon its release, winning an Oscar and a Golden Globe for cinematography.

The tale was revived in 2020 by the BBC and FX, featuring a star-studded cast including Gemma Arterton, Alessandro Nivola, Aisling Franciosi, Dame Diana Rigg, Jim Broadbent, and Gina McKee.

Nonetheless, many are likely to regard the 1947 version as the quintessential adaptation of Black Narcissus due to its chilling performances and captivating visuals.

Black Narcissus (1947) is streaming on ITVX now