Peeping Tom (Michael Powell, 1960) - R2 UK SE - 26/3/2007

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 06 Mar 2007, 09:32

Enter the insane mind of a psycho-killer obsessed with recording on film the most intense fear as it registers on the faces of desirable women. His camera tripod is fitted with a long blade designed to penetrate victims through the neck. And while they watch their own deaths reflected in a mirror attachment he captures their last gasps on celluloid for his evil home movie collection.

Specs from Play:

# New and exclusive introduction by Martin Scorsese
# New and exclusive commentary by Ian Christie (Michael Powell expert)
# New and exclusive interview with Thelma Schoonmaker (editor and Michael Powell's widow)
# Documentary 'The Eye of the Beholder'
# Documentary 'The Strange Gaze of Mark Lewis'
# Original theatrical trailer
# Behind-the-scenes stills gallery
# 24-page booklet containing essay, interview with screenwriter Leo Marks and an extract from Michael Powell's autobiography 'Million Dollar Movie'

The BBFC also downgraded the rather harsh "18" to a more reasonable "15"

I'll pick this up at some point (along with the loads of others I need to pick up)

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 06 Mar 2007, 16:43

It's still the butchered UK cinema version though.

The uncut print is rumoured lost.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 06 Mar 2007, 16:59

I didn't know that.
I noticed that, yes the UK cinema version was heavily cut and butchered (7 minutes?) in 1960/

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 06 Mar 2007, 19:45

The critical reaction in 1960 killed Michael Powell's career.

It wasn't until a couple of decades later that important filmmakers like Martin Scorcese rescued it from the clutches of the damned.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 06 Mar 2007, 19:59

Is it worth buying (as we'll never see the uncut version?)
There is a Criterion release though, maybe thats uncut

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 06 Mar 2007, 22:28

The uncut version is lost, has never been seen anywhere.

If you like the film, I'd buy it as there's no gurantee the director's cut will ever be found.

Not sure which is better Criterion or Optium.

Best search for reviews.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 07 Mar 2007, 08:19

It is a good film, hard to watch though, it probably got its rating because of its theme (it was 1960 after all), you don't really see anything, maybe that makes it more effective?

The Criterion doesn't look that bad according to the Beaver review but the DVD is old - it has its own unique extras (commentary by Laura Mulvey, and a Channel 4 UK documentary).
Would be good if the Optimum had been remastered or something but I doubt it.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 16 Mar 2007, 22:37

review up here on this site

http://www.dvdmaniacs.net/