While today he's probably most known as being the USA's most famous exile for the statutory rape charges he fled from in the mid-seventies, Roman Polanski has certainly left an equally compelling and perverse mark on cinema. In black and white or color, insular character studies or grandiose epics, Poland's provocateur has proven he can handle many different genres, styles and eras of film work. He's been going nearly 50 years now...which of his impressive canon is your favorite?
The Ninth Gate for me so far - I love Fearless Vampire Killers, though it is a bit slow, and Rosemary's Baby was good. I have yet to see The Tenant and Repulsion.
Went with Macbeth. I always think of what he said on the set, "I know violence. You should've seen my house last summer."
I dunno, this is too hard. Polanski's made too many phenomenal films. Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, The Pianist, Macbeth, Repulsion and Knife in the Water are all masterpieces for what they are. Rosemary's Baby is a brilliant horror film about the occult and a woman's waning trust with her husband. Repulsion is a fantastic psychological examination of a woman's descent into insanity. The Pianist is an amazing character study of an exceptionally talented man degraded by the depravity of the Holocaust and Chinatown is an excellent neo-noir, etc etc. I'm undecided. However, I re-watched The Tenant the other night and I must say...it's definitely one of his weaker efforts. I don't know, the film just couldn't keep me interested. It's way too long and runs way too slowly. I just remember it being a lot better than what I saw the other night. I also just found out that the Paramount DVD is completely OOP. Had no idea... ~Matt
The Tenant is my favourite, by far. For some reason, while creepy, it maintains comedic elements that keep bringing me back. There is one scene at the flat where a little dog keeps on trying to bite Polanski's hand, and for some reason it always has me in stitches. I guess the movie can be really creepy or funny depending on my mood. The Tenant was also the beginning of a time when I began pursue the horror genre further. It is also gets points for being featured in Skinny Puppy tracks. ;]
Rosemary's Baby is my favorite, with Chinatown as a close second. I would rank Rosemary's Baby as one of the greatest horror films ever made.
CHINATOWN,just edging out ROSEMARY'S BABY.I was lucky enough to have seen CHINATOWN at a great theater a few years ago ,brand new print.Classic.You have to admit the man has made a LOT of fine films.
Rosemary's Baby, which is among my ten favorite films, period. Chinatown and The Tenant are incredible as well, and The Ninth Gate is underrated.
It's a damn tough choice between Repulsion and Chinatown, and since Repulsion has no love, I'll put my vote with it. It could really be either depending on the day. Both are masterpieces. Death and the Maiden is probably his most underrated, which is a shame since it's among his best. I've never seen a more powerful film that features only three characters in mostly one room. It's amazing.
Haha that scene gets me every time. :lol: "Oh, what a cute little dog." and then it tries to bite him when he moves in to pet it. Awesome. ~Matt
Rosemary's Baby is the winner for me at the moment. But The Pianist and Chinatown are so close that they are often times my favorite on any given day.
