The Draughtsman's Contract

This is the kind of movie any serious cineophile will want to seek out and watch. Definitely not a "flavor of the month film."

It was a sumptuous experience watching this film with it's fantastic costumes, scenery and witty dialogue. The director's coup here was to apply a surreal sensibility to a thoroughly conventional genre format, the country-house murder mystery. Yet, at the end, The Draughtsman's Contract remains a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, and no clever detective pops up to explain it all.

This was a formr girlfriend of mine's favourite film and so I've seen it a couple of times. Like all Peter Greenaway films there is an almost dreamlike quality to it. But 'sumptious' is certainly a word I'd use to describe it...

I remember the first time I saw it. It was the final screening of the day in the Caledonian Cinema. When the film started, there were five of us in the auditorium. By the end, there was me.

I was overwhelmed. It seemed that Greenaway had created a whole new school of film-making. I loved the stylised dialogue, the OTT costumes, the compostion of scenes as if they were Old Masters, the static camera, the use of music . . . sadly, it turned out to be a cul-de-sac. Greenaway has been repeating himself ever since to ever less effect. I haven't liked anything else he's done.

I remember the first time I saw it. It was the final screening of the day in the Caledonian Cinema. When the film started, there were five of us in the auditorium. By the end, there was me.

I was overwhelmed. It seemed that Greenaway had created a whole new school of film-making. I loved the stylised dialogue, the OTT costumes, the compostion of scenes as if they were Old Masters, the static camera, the use of music . . . sadly, it turned out to be a cul-de-sac. Greenaway has been repeating himself ever since to ever less effect. I haven't liked anything else he's done.Yes those were all the things I liked about it too. I haven't seen anything else he has done.
I have to say it is a movie that stays with you, I am still mulling it over this morning. And hope to watch it one more time, there was so much going on in the film, it almost requires a second viewing.

Well - since it's being re-digitized and re-issued this month I decided to order "The Draughtman's Contract". It sounds incredible!

Well - since it's being re-digitized and re-issued this month I decided to order "The Draughtman's Contract". It sounds incredible!Oh I'll be anxious to hear what you think.

Did you like it too Charlie ?

I sure have never seen anything quite like it before either.

I like what Roger Ebert had to say...."Four Stars. What we have here is a tantalizing puzzle, wrapped in eroticism and presented with the utmost elegance. I have never seen a film quite like it.... His movie is like a crossword puzzle for the senses."

Drowning By Numbers is another weird one of Greenaway's I quite like...but The Draughtsman's Contract is just one of those films that is so beautiful to look at..and as you say Oz, the costumes are amazing. I have a shirt I call my 'Draughtsman's Contract' shirt coz of all the frills and ruffles...

"I say I say I say, do you know The Draughtsman's Contract?"

"So I've heard, but only in the cold weather."

(There'll never be another!)

Drowning By Numbers is another weird one of Greenaway's I quite like...but The Draughtsman's Contract is just one of those films that is so beautiful to look at..and as you say Oz, the costumes are amazing. I have a shirt I call my 'Draughtsman's Contract' shirt coz of all the frills and ruffles...Oh I bet the shirt is just smashing.

Yes I loved the dresses and those wigs..good lord.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/ozma/image.jpg

I saw "The Draughtsman's Contract" this weekend - and I did love the dialogue. I almost consider it more a dark comedy.

I have to admit I fell asleep during my first viewing - it was late. :o

The wigs were incredible - and I did enjoy the detail of the history - and watching the Draughtsman work with his grid frames and various detailed need to see in exact proportion as he drew.

They guy running around the garden primarily naked but covered with skin paint to match the stonework or ironwork - and even wood - that he hid amid was I suppose a red-herring to the plot. It was such an odd addition but then there were many of those...lol!

Beautiful film... It reminds me a bit of some of the Merchant Ivory films I've seen in it's quality and quiet pauses that so few films allow.

I saw "The Draughtsman's Contract" this weekend - and I did love the dialogue. I almost consider it more a dark comedy.

I have to admit I fell asleep during my first viewing - it was late. :o

The wigs were incredible - and I did enjoy the detail of the history - and watching the Draughtsman work with his grid frames and various detailed need to see in exact proportion as he drew.

They guy running around the garden primarily naked but covered with skin paint to match the stonework or ironwork - and even wood - that he hid amid was I suppose a red-herring to the plot. It was such an odd addition but then there were many of those...lol!

Beautiful film... It reminds me a bit of some of the Merchant Ivory films I've seen in it's quality and quiet pauses that so few films allow.Oh so glad you liked it. I never did have the chance to watch it a second time, but I can get it again from the library. I needs a second viewing I think.

I loved the human statue man too, very strange goings on in the movie. I thought it was a bit more fun than a Merchant Ivory film. You are right, it is more of a dark comedy than anything else.

Now I'm intrigued, I'll have to go rent it.