[1karina1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melodyangel Even though i have it on dvd i shall be sat watching it tomorow night, thanks for letting us know 1Karina1.

You're welcome! I cannot wait to see it tonight - never seen it before!

With sister Catherine


source: scanned by me

[melodyangel]

What did you think of Culdesac 1Karina1?

[1karina1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melodyangel What did you think of Culdesac 1Karina1?

My tv didn't manage to record it!
But all is not lost, I'm heading out to the shops to get it on DVD today!

Without giving the plot away, how did you find it Melodyangel?

[melodyangel]

I really enjoyed it, i think it`s one of Polanski`s best, although i don`t think it`s for everyone, it`s a dark comedy. Francoise made the film for me though, she`s brilliant in it.

[1karina1]

^ Great! I can't wait to see it!

[TheKiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by melodyangel I really enjoyed it, i think it`s one of Polanski`s best, although i don`t think it`s for everyone, it`s a dark comedy. Francoise made the film for me though, she`s brilliant in it.

Same here! It's one of Polanski's most overlooked films, but it's sooo great... And Francoise really made it for me too!

[1karina1]

Here are pics from the booklet that was included in my DVD of Cul-de-sac.











source: scanned by me

[melodyangel]

Thanks 1Karina1, let us know what you think of Culdesac.

[1karina1]

So I finally watched Cul-de-Sac.....it was quite a bizarre film. I'm still recovering from it! Looking at the film analytically it's interesting, but simply as an experience I felt the film was very uneven. Polanski is a master at creating atmosphere and tension and the opening sequences are quite brilliant with an almost surreal scene of the gangster's car in the middle of a deserted causeway and then the camera and the other characters return to the car to find it in the middle of a vast waterway. That opening for me sets the tone of the film - unexpected. I thought the cinematography was very beautiful, especially the exterior scenes with the castle/fortress in the background and the looming skies above are menacingly dark, and the swathes of grass in the sand dunes appear so sweeping. The film only really became remarkable, in my opinion, with the arrival of George's unexpected friends. It's this which triggers off the building tension of the trio of characters brilliantly and the dark humour really comes through. But even so, I failed to empathize with the characters which ultimatley meant I failed to truly respond to the film emotionally.
I agree that Francoise was excellent in it. A very languid nymphomaniac! And in every frame she was in I just couldn't help thinking "Wow, she's beautiful." I especially love her eye makeup. It could easily go wrong on anyone else mind!

I'm desperate to do some screencaptures of the film on my MAC and post them on this thread. Anyone know how to do them?I'm having no joy at the moment!

[melodyangel]

I don`t have have a clue how to do screencaps sorry. But i hope someone here does as i can`t wait to see them 1Karina1.
I love Francoises eye make up too. I think she must have had a very steady hand LOL.

[1karina1]

^ She looks incredible in those! Thanks melodyangel!

[Gloria01]

She's very pretty! She reminds me of Catherine Deneuve.

[1karina1]

Btw it seemed as if she had a really tough time filming Cul-de-sac.

First of all she didn't get along with Roman Polanski, who didn't really care about her....you know the scene where she has to swim in the sea while George and Dickie are arguing on the beach and then the plane flies over and it's done in one shot...well she has to stay in the water for about 10 mins and the water was absolutely freezing. The crew members said that it was so cold that everyone was dressed in anoraks and the like....anyway Polanski would shoot the scene over and over again while his producer was begging him to stop for Francoise's sake but Polanski ignored him and after the third take when Francoise came out of the water she collapsed. And the two actors playing George and Dickie (Donald Plesance and Lionel Stander) were furious with her because, as they saw it, they had ruined a perfect take!

And then also Lionel Stander was really unpleasant with Francoise and in the scene where he beats her across the legs with his belt - he did it for real, extremely hard. I thought that when I saw the film becuase you could actually see the imprint of the belt on the back of her leg!

Yeah, all in all, it wasn't a great experience for poor Francoise!

[melodyangel]

According to Romans book "Roman by Polanski" she also suffered terrible period pain which rendered her incapable of working for days, and yet inspite of all that i think she shines as the star of the film.

[1karina1]

^ I couldn't agree with you more!