Watch the trailer for The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982).
UK, 1982
107 mins
Cert 15
Dir Peter Greenaway
With Anthony Higgins, Janet Suzman, Anne-Louise Lambert, Hugh Fraser
In an apparently idyllic 17th century Wiltshire, an ambitious draughtsman is commissioned by the wife of an aristocrat to produce twelve drawings of her husband’s estate and negotiates terms to include sexual favours from his employer. But when a corpse is dragged from the moat, the draughtsman’s drawings may reveal more than he realised.
Extravagant costumes, a twisting plot, elegantly barbed dialogue and a mesmerising score by Michael Nyman make the film a treat for ear, eye and mind. Now newly remastered in 4K (from the original Super 16mm Eastmancolor negative and magnetic track master) by the BFI National Archive, experience Peter Greenaway’s intoxicating vision like never before.
Venues
January
From 26 January
No 6. Cinema, Portsmouth
February
From 12 February
Lewes Depot
From 26 February
Babylon Cinema, Ely