The Draughtsman's Contract

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.Newly remastered by the BFI National Archive and presented in High DefinitionAudio commentary by Peter Greenaway (2003)Introduction by Peter Greenaway (2003, 10 mins): the director discusses the genesis of The Draughtsman's Contract, hiscreative choices and the film's central themesVisions: A Film Comment by Angela Carter (1982, 21 mins): the novelist's contemporary TV review of The Draughtsman's ContractThe Guardian Interview: Michael Nyman (2002, audio only, 7 mins): the composer discusses his work on The Draughtsman's ContractThe Greenaway Alphabet (2017, 60 mins): Saskia Boddeke's deeply personal portrait of her husband Peter Greenaway, his art and his relationship with his daughterH is For House (1976, 9 mins): an early short film by Peter GreenawayA Walk Through H (1978, 42 mins): Greenaway's short depicting the symbolic journey of an ornithologist through a mysterious bird-filled countryInsight: Zandra Rhodes (1981, 15 mins): Greenaway's profile of the fashion designerInterviews with Janet Suzman, Peter Greenaway and Anthony Higgins (1981, 5 mins)Behind the scenes footage (1981, 5 mins)Deleted scenes and outtakes (1981, 11 mins total)Original theatrical trailerRestoration trailer (2022)Image gallery**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** 40-page booklet featuring new writing by Peter Greenaway, Simon Barker, William Fowler