The Draughtsman’s Contract, dir. Peter Greenaway, UK 1982, 104 min., English, 15
The film that made director Peter Greenaway’s name receives a spectacular remaster from the BFI National Archive to celebrate 40 years since its original release. Newly upgraded from the original 16mm negative to radiant 4K, Greeenaway’s dizzingly unique tale of sex and power in 17th-century England has never looked or sounded better.
Wiltshire, 1694, and Virginia Herbert (Janet Suzman), the rich wife of an absent country squire, engages the services of one Mr Neville (Anthony Higgins) to make 12 drawings of her grand country estate. Neville insists that his agreement with Herbert includes not just financial compensation but sexual favours. But when a corpse is fished from the Herberts’ moat, the draughtsman gets more than his contract bargained for. Extravagant costumes, acidic dialogue and a pulsating score by Michael Nyman helps propel this singular murder mystery – a landmark in modern British cinema.
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
All films are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with a 10 min. curated selection of trailers.
Members+ and all Patrons gain free entry to all cinema screenings, exhibitions, talks, and more.
Join today as a Member+ for £25/month.
no. 236848.