The Tenant (1976) Roman Polanski

[Scoot79]

Just saw this for the first time and loved it, but

[Show spoiler]it's difficult to tell what's real and what's not. Was Polanski's character completely crazy and everything was only in his mind, or was there also a supernatural force at work? Were those other tenants really standing motionless for hours in the bathroom across the way? Was that tooth really in the wall? Creepy stuff.

I'd love to see a Criterion Blu-ray released.

[grundy]

The DVD was Paramount and 16x9. Still have it. Maybe Olive will release it?

[James78]

The BFI is having a Polanski season next month and I'm definitely going to see The Tenant and Rosemary's Baby:

http://www.bfi.org.uk/

[Wes Blu-ray]

Originally Posted by James78

The BFI is having a Polanski season next month and I'm definitely going to see The Tenant and Rosemary's Baby:

http://www.bfi.org.uk/

Rosemary's Baby is an absolute classic.

[octagon]

I saw this thread title in the 'latest posts' list on the home page and almost had a stroke.

Oh well, maybe someday

[AKORIS]

Very good film...also have the DVD from a few years back... I think this will get a blu release eventually and my guess is that either Criterion or Olive will be the ones to do it

[octagon]

Originally Posted by octagon

I saw this thread title in the 'latest posts' list on the home page and almost had a stroke.

Oh well, maybe someday

Got me again

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by grundy

The DVD was Paramount and 16x9. Still have it. Maybe Olive will release it?

I purchased the DVD and the transfer is quite good, however a 1080p HD Blu-ray release would be so much better. I had been meaning to buy the DVD several years ago, but just now got around to it. I'm glad I did.

[Skopos]

any news?

[Baron Blood]

I'm boosting this thread in hopes someone will step up and commit the HD version out there to disc.
Did Criterion lose money with Rosemary and Repulsion?

"...Though the film was far from a comedy, it did have some unintentionally?! funny scenes..."~AR

This is Polanski's most intentionally ambiguous film and by no way was the humor unintentional.
Polanski incorporates awkward humor in most off his films.
IMO this gives his films a step closer to our own experiences since life is full of odd moments.
Just as you said...the noise complaint scene was very relatable.
It also demonstrates just one more example of his character losing control.

[RedHarvest]

Originally Posted by Baron Blood

I'm boosting this thread in hopes someone will step up and commit the HD version out there to disc.
Did Criterion lose money with Rosemary and Repulsion?

"...Though the film was far from a comedy, it did have some unintentionally?! funny scenes..."~AR

This is Polanski's most intentionally ambiguous film and by no way was the humor unintentional.
Polanski incorporates awkward humor in most off his films.
IMO this gives his films a step closer to our own experiences since life is full of odd moments.
Just as you said...the noise complaint scene was very relatable.
It also demonstrates just one more example of his character losing control.

Rosemary's Baby was my first Criterion purchase, and I still think it's Criterion's best presentation.

[castor]

Yeah, it's a great film. Come on, Criterion.

[Rzzzz]

I saw this on late night TV as kid and it scarred me. I had never seen anything like that before. It seems like I have had the DVD forever. Its one of those films I have tried to turn friends and family onto with no success. People either love it or hate it (a lot of people seem to hate it) but I love it. How many people can make a film you only need to see once and have it stay with you forever. But as Anamorphic said, there are so many hidden things in this movie, the rewatch value is huge. This needs to be Criterions next Polanski movie....

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Agreed. Criterion should really pick up The Tenant; a underrated, obscure, but extremely well-done movie like this is tailor-made for that label.

It may be my favorite Polanski film (though Repulsion is probably tied with this), and it's definitely very creepy and unnerving.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've seen this in both an English dubbed version, and in the French-language version w/English subtitles. I would hope that if this were put on Blu, the French language version should be the first choice. However, the English dubbed version (which wasn't that great) could also be an option as well - for those who don't like subtitles.

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've seen this in both an English dubbed version, and in the French-language version w/English subtitles. I would hope that if this were put on Blu, the French language version should be the first choice. However, the English dubbed version (which wasn't that great) could also be an option as well - for those who don't like subtitles.

If Criterion were to put it out, it seems like their usual M.O. would be to include both soundtracks, unless the English dub was done on a shorter version of the film (I don't think that's the case here).

[RedHarvest]

A shame that this film has yet to see a BD release. I owned the VHS for a long time, with the art with Polaski in the picture frame. Used to lend it to friends, and then one day I never got it back. Haven't seen it since, and that has to have been 20 years ago now...

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by BrianJoynt

A shame that this film has yet to see a BD release. I owned the VHS for a long time, with the art with Polaski in the picture frame. Used to lend it to friends, and then one day I never got it back. Haven't seen it since, and that has to have been 20 years ago now...

This reminds me of the time I lent some rock/pop cassettes to some friends back in the early '90's. I never saw these "friends" again (ha ha), and not long after moved out of the area. However, eventually my cassette deck broke & I never replaced it (went CD only), so didn't care after a while.

[CineSicko]

Love this film, but it's possible that Criterion will pass on it because Polanski doesn't like it. I remember reading an interview with him from a few years ago in which he said THE TENANT was a "failed experiment", and if memory serves he cited it as being his least favorite of his films. As a result, it's unlikely that Polanski would want to approve a new transfer or would want anything to do with special features concerning the film, so Criterion would have to release it without his involvement, and I'm not sure that's something they'd be willing to do. Additionally, they may not want to sour their relationship with him, for whatever reason (they've done most of his good films on BD already, so what's there to lose?).

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by CineSicko

Love this film, but it's possible that Criterion will pass on it because Polanski doesn't like it. I remember reading an interview with him from a few years ago in which he said THE TENANT was a "failed experiment", and if memory serves he cited it as being his least favorite of his films. As a result, it's unlikely that Polanski would want to approve a new transfer or would want anything to do with special features concerning the film, so Criterion would have to release it without his involvement, and I'm not sure that's something they'd be willing to do. Additionally, they may not want to sour their relationship with him, for whatever reason (they've done most of his good films on BD already, so what's there to lose?).

Too bad if true. I say that no matter what RP thinks, this film should be released on BD - and Criterion is the best one to do this. If RP doesn't like it, screw him. This is definitely one of his better films.

[CineSicko]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

I say that no matter what RP thinks, this film should be released on BD - and Criterion is the best one to do this. If RP doesn't like it, screw him. This is definitely one of his better films.

Agreed on all counts. However, if it has to be Olive, then so be it. I really just want it in HD. If Olive drops the ball and serves up a sub-par transfer, you know someone else will serve up an improved HD release, even if in another country. Of course, if Criterion does it, and properly, all of that could be avoided.

I'd love to delve into a horde of special features about the production. I want to know about Polanski's attitude toward it during filming, and would like to know about what drove him to tell this particular story, in the fashion that he did. Additionally, I want him to speak openly about the attempts at macabre humor, as there are far too many people who insist that there isn't a shred of comedy to be found in the film, which I find odd.