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Cul-De-Sac [1968] [DVD]
 
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Cul-De-Sac [1968] [DVD]

DVD ~ Francoise Dorleac
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Francoise Dorleac, Donald Pleasence, Lionel Stander, Jacqueline Bisset, Jack MacGowran
  • Directors: Roman Polanski
  • Format: Black & White, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 12
  • Studio: Anchor Bay Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 25 Aug 2003
  • Run Time: 111 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0000AISGP
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 48,264 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Synopsis

A somewhat surreal black comedy directed and co-scripted by Roman Polanski, CUL-DE-SAC is the tale of a mismatched married couple, George and Teresa (Donald Pleasence and Francoise Dorleac), living in an 11th-century castle on an isolated island whose home is invaded by two gangsters on the run after an unsuccessful heist. Lionel Stander plays Dicky, a thug who attempts to save the life of his mortally wounded partner (Jack MacGowran) by enlisting the help of George and Teresa, then holds them captive in their own home as the group awaits the arrival of the mysterious Mr. Kattlebach, the gangsters' boss whom Dicky has contacted prior to cutting the phone line. The nubile young Teresa proves more resourceful than her ever-cringing husband as they try to come up with a plan for eluding their boorish captor; further complications arise, however, after an unexpected visit from an old school chum of George's, who arrives with an entourage of annoying family and friends. In spite of tensions that, as Polanski later reported, existed between him and his often less than cooperative stars, all three principals give fine performances, most notably Pleasence as the cuckolded, humiliated, and (as Dicky at one point proclaims) hopelessly "square" British WWII veteran George.

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A jewel in the Polanski catalogue, 19 Jul 2005
Firstly despite the difficult filming process that this film was engaged in,The direction and performances run so smoothly as if it's chocolate flowing neatly in to its final block that will be welcomed greatly from one like me to get my jaws in too. Quite simply every line in this film is delivered with the utmost perfection leading to some of lines being absolutely hilarious. 'Pleasence' made me laugh greatly when ever he's trying to explain that 'Stander' has mental problems talking about him as he's some senile old fool, brilliant. The performances of all involved are highly energetic kept me hooked throughout,the casting for this picture was a stroke of genius.I am a massive fan of Polanski and this is certainly one that stands out quite possibly as his best. It's a unique experience not many other films give of quite such a good ambiance , Top marks it's a cinematic gem.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars masterpiece, 16 May 2005
Don't listen to the other reviewer. He doesn't seem to have grasped or appreciated what makes this film so good - the atmosphere and the characters. The plot is minimal and only serves to enhance these other two aspects of the film. Personally I think this is a much more moody, much more unique, and much more interesting film than Repulsion. It's an acquired taste but if you love stunningly shot character-based films with a twist of surreal humour, I would advise to get it this instant. All in all, an unforgetable film.
Be aware though, there is another version of the disc in a Roman Polanski boxset, including both this film and Repulsion and Knife On The Water. Works out cheaper than buying all the titles individually!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Polanski at his best, 13 Nov 2006
It has been 30 years since I first saw this film, yet it still rates as one of my all time favourites. Forget about special effects and daredevil stunts-you won't see either of those in Cul-De-Sac. It's a strange film which highlights the devastating effect that unexpected events can have on human relationships. At first glance it's a black comedy, but running throughout the film are dark menacing undercurrents which maintain the attention of the audience. All of the leading acters are good, but Donald Pleasance, as the bumbling, insecure host to his unwelcome guests is outstanding. In my opinion his best performance ever. Polanski's quirky direction has never been bettered, and the exterior photography is spectacular. Brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting to watch but very 60s
This film has a great look and feel to it. Dorleac is the gorgeous pouting 60s goddess. Pleasance is a hopelessly repressed and eccentric Englishman. Read more
Published 19 months ago by William Cohen

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and Unique
From the immaculate direction to the perfect casting, Cul-de-Sac is a truly sucessful and unique film. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2005 by Vitamino

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