Released: 14th November 2022. Peter Greenaway became a director of international status with this witty, stylised and erotic English country house murder mystery. In an apparently idyllic 17th-century Wiltshire, an ambitious draughtsman is commissioned by the wife of an aristocrat to produce 12 drawings depicting her husband’s estate, in return for which he will receive payment, board and bed – hers. Extravagant costumes, a twisting plot, elegantly barbed dialogue and a score by Michael Nyman make the film a treat for ear, eye and mind.
Extras
Newly remastered by the BFI National Archive and presented in High Definition
Audio commentary by Peter Greenaway (2003)
Introduction byPeter Greenaway (2003, 10 mins): the director discusses the genesis of The Draughtsman’s Contract, his creative choices and the film’s central themes
Visions: A Film Comment by Angela Carter (1982, 21 mins):the novelist’s contemporary TV review of The Draughtsman’s Contract
The Guardian Interview: Michael Nyman (2002, audio only, 7 mins): the composer discusses his work on The Draughtsman’s Contract
The Greenaway Alphabet (2017, 60 mins): Saskia Boddeke’s deeply personal portrait of her husbandPeter Greenaway, his art and his relationship with his daughter
H is For House (1976, 9 mins): an early short film by Peter Greenaway
A Walk Through H (1978, 42 mins): Greenaway’s short depicting thesymbolic journey of an ornithologist through a mysterious bird-filled country
Insight: Zandra Rhodes(1981, 15 mins): Greenaway’s profile of the fashion designer
Interviews with Janet Suzman, Peter Greenawayand Anthony Higgins (1981, 5 mins)
Behind the scenes footage (1981, 5 mins)
Deleted scenes andouttakes (1981, 11 mins total)
Original theatrical trailer
Restoration trailer (2022)
Image gallery
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** 40-page booklet featuring new writing by Peter Greenaway, Simon Barker, William Fowler and Charlie Bridgen on The Draughtsman’s Contract, plus writing on selected extras by William Fowler and Josephine Botting