It is with much sadness to have to report this:

Décès du cinéaste Walerian Borowczyk

Walerian Borowczyk: Polish animator and director of erotica during the 1970s

Thanks for informing us, Marc. This is very sad news -- and doubly so for me, because we just sent the next issue of VW to the printer this morning, which contains a long review of the deluxe edition import of Borowczyk's THE BEAST (it opens our in-depth review section), and we would surely have paid him immediate tribute.

I watched his BLANCHE again a couple weeks ago, a real gem of early seventies arthouse and fantasy cinema, positively 'subdued' in comparison to his later, more provocative work, but very recognizably his own, and a small, perfect masterpiece. He magically transforms a light trifle of a medieval tale, an ever so slightly naughty wink-wink immoral one, into a true tragedy by the time the thing is done. He demonstrates himself a worthy heir of both Jean Cocteau and the Renoir who made RULES OF THE GAME (another romantic farce in a country estate ending badly; key Renoir actor Michel Simon is perfectly cast as the old baron married to Borowcyzk's early favorite screen subject -his wife too- Ligia Branice: proud husband, crestfallen cuckold, determined avenger of his lost pride, wise-sad old fool and last man standing, a great final performance), but his own auteur as well: there's a crafty entrancement of players and audience alike that occurs which is barely describable. A superior animator's gift of shorthand is involved, a castle with many passageways and routes of secret entrance and escape but also of observation; a fairytale thicket of impenetrable woods beyond; a tightening claustrophobia; these are some of the governing props and conceits. Let's just say it works splendidly, and I highly recommend this if you can find it. R.I.P. Walerian!

I, too, was saddened by the death of Borowczyk. Having first discovered him through Video Watchdog, it's apropos that I found out about his death at Tim's blog.

FYI, Cult Epics is supposed to be releasing the Walerian Borowczyk Collection on February 28, 2005. It does include GOTO, ISLAND OF LOVE along with a short called the ASTRONAUTS. Unfortunatley the Box Set includes, previously released Cult Epics DVDs, THE BEAST and LOVE RITES -which I both own-, but I want GOTO, so I guess they got me.

Unfortunately, Cult Epics also did the same thing with Fernado Arrabel, recently releasing a Box Set that included the previously released VIVA LA MUERTE and I WILL WALK LIKE A CRAZY HORSE -which, again, I both own - with THE GUERNICA TREE which appears only to available with the box set.

If GOTO or THE GUERNICA TREE are available individually, I apologize to Cult Epics, but at their website it appears that the only way to purchase these discs is to buy a box set, which stinks. :angry: So far I've refused to buy the Arrabel Box Set.

Anyways, I'm hoping that BLANCHE, my favorite Borowczyk film will receive a decent R1 release soon.

Borowczyk was, definitely, one of a kind.

I have recently transferred a letterbox version 'Dr Jeckyll And His Women' from the Dutch VHS to DVD, and just arrived from Italy is the VHS of same film - but I prefer the picture quality of the Dutch print overall. The UK VHS was apparently cut. This is probably my fave of Boro's canon.
Screen Grab Marina Pierro
Screen Grab Udo Kier
Screen Grab Patrick Magee

Also I have just transferred a letterbox version 'La Marge/The Streetwalker' from the UK VHS (French language, English subtitles). Having seen this film on the big screen uopn release (uncut at the Screen On The Green), it was my introduction to Borowczyk. The recent Japanese DVD is 16/9, but suffers only mildly from some digital censorship.

In Greece there are some new (magazine distributed?) DVDs of which I have picked up a nice 16/9 version of 'Three Immoral Women' French language (removeable subs), and I just purchased the UK Betamax of same film to create an English language version.
Also in Greece is released on DVD is a letterbox 'Collections Privées', of which one (of three) stories is directed by Borowczyk (again with removeable subs). Both are the only releases I know of, and are good picture quality.

The UK had a couple of early films on the Connoiseur Label, 'Blanche' was one of them. Possibly the other was the now available 'Goto, Island Of Love'. The Redemption UK VHS/VCD (yup - I bought a Borowczyk VCD, and not just once!) release of 'Art Of Love' was apparently cut, perhaps Marc Morris can confirm whether there was any uncut Redemption Netherlands/Australia release?

The other VCD was a Hong Kong release but I am not sure what film (it did star Marina Pierro) and it is now up in the loft.

Borowczyk's style, with its peek-a-boo lace and objects, is truly one of my favourite ways to watch a piece of cinema. I hope he is able to roll boiled eggs forever!

Sad. I was always hoping he'd make a comeback - though I don't think they make ladies like Marina Pierro anymore.

Is this edition of THE BEAST different than the Cult Epics three-disc version?

Hopefully someone will put out some more of his titles in English-friendly editions. LOVE RITES is my favorite in addition to THE BEAST. I'd like to see DR. JEKYLL and ART OF LOVE on DVD.

What audio is the Japanese disc? Also, are the subtitles removable?

The first review - that I've seen - for Cult Epics new R1 NTSC DVD of GOTO ISLAND OF LOVE is up at Mondo Digital.



http://www.mondo-digital.com/immoraltales.html

I stand corrected, GOTO is available individually. However, THE GUERNICA TREE is not, being only available if one buys their Arrabel Box Set.

I recently watched Cult Epics Goto, Island of Love DVD which comes with the short film The Astronauts. Does anyone know if any other of Walerian Borowczyk's short films has been released on DVD?

Re: LA MARGE, Sazuma's specs say "New anamorphic master from new print, w/ HD telecine." If an HD master is already available, then hopefully an English-subtitled release will show up sometime from someone (apparently, the English dub is a toned-down version with alternate footage).

For anyone who is interested here is a list of Borowczyk films currently on DVD.

"No further info on Ligia Branice has come to light yet, but I found out in passing that several more shorts are included on the French DVD of La Bête, namely: Les Astronautes (1959), Renaissance (1963), Les Jeux des anges (1964), Rosalie (1966), Une Collection particulière (1973) and Scherzo infernal (1985).

Here's a first attempt at a DVD overview:

1960 - LES ASTRONAUTES (animated short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL) - no spoken dialogue
- extra on Goto, l'isola dell'amore (Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL) - no spoken dialogue

1963 - RENAISSANCE (animated short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL) - no spoken dialogue

1964 - LES JEUX DES ANGES (animated short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL) - no spoken dialogue

1966 - ROSALIE (live-action short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL) - presumably unsubtitled French

1968 - GOTO, L'ILE D'AMOUR/GOTO, ISLE OF LOVE
- Cult Epics, US, NTSC (French with English subtitles)
- Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL (French, no subtitles)
- Goto, l'isola dell'amore, Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL (Italian or French with Italian subtitles)

1973 - UNE COLLECTION PARTICULIERE (live-action short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL)
- extra on Racconti immorali (Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL)

1974 - CONTES IMMORAUX/IMMORAL TALES
- Anchor Bay, US, NTSC (French with English subtitles)
- Nouveaux Pictures, UK, PAL (French with English subtitles)
- Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL (French, no subtitles)
- Racconti immorali, Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL (Italian or French with Italian subtitles)

1975 - LA BETE/THE BEAST
- Cult Epics, US, NTSC (English or French with English subtitles)
- Nouveaux Pictures, UK, PAL (French with English subtitles)
- Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL (French, no subtitles)
- La bestia, Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL (Italian or French with Italian subtitles)

1977 - INTERNO D'UN CONVENTO/BEHIND CONVENT WALLS
- Nouveaux Pictures, UK, PAL (dubbed into English)

1977 - L'AMOUR MONSTRE DE TOUS LES TEMPS (short)
- extra on La bestia, Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL (French with Italian subtitles)

1980 - LULU
- LCJ Editions, France, PAL (French, no subtitles)

1983 - ARS AMANDI/THE ART OF LOVE
- Millennium Storm, Italy, PAL (Italian, no subtitles)

1984 - SCHERZO INFERNAL (short)
- extra on La Bête (Gaumont-Columbia TriStar, France, PAL)
- extra on Goto, l'isola dell'amore (Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL)

1985 - EMMANUELLE 5
- New Concorde, US, NTSC (English, no subtitles)
- Uca Catalogue, UK, PAL (English, no subtitles)
- Legocart, Italy, PAL (Italian, no subtitles)

1988 - CEREMONIE D'AMOUR/LOVE RITES
- Cult Epics, US, NTSC (French with English subtitles)
- Pagan, UK, PAL (French with English subtitles)
- Regina della notte, Legocart, Italy, PAL (Italian, no subtitles)

I won't bother listing the shorts, but of the features these ones appear to be unavailable on DVD as yet:
LE THEATRE DE M. ET MME. KABAL (1967)
BLANCHE (1971) - though this has had a British VHS release
LA MARGE/THE STREETWALKER (1976)
LES HEROINES DU MAL/THREE IMMORAL WOMEN (1978)
DOCTEUR JEKYLL ET LES FEMMES (1981)

I don't for one second believe this is complete, so do please feel free to post additions/corrections. - Michael Brooke"

Info found here: http://daily.greencine.com/archives/001618.html

Actually, Michael, the US DVD of IMMORAL TALES had an English dub track as well as the French track. The English subtitles were burned onto the print.

HEROINES DU MAL is (or was) on Japanese DVD in French with Japanese subtitles.

Thanks for compiling the list.

The Greek (magazine cover?) DVD of 'Art Of Love' arrived the other day, and it is a nice letterbox print in English.
Also available on DVD in Greece (further to the ones I have already mentioned) are 'Emmanuelle 5' (a letterbox french titled print in English, rather than the botched USA Corman version as far as I can tell), and an 'Immoral Tales' (which I have not seen).

Collections privées - Greek DVD
Les Heroines Du Mal (Three Immoral Women) - Greek DVD
Emmanuelle 5/Love Express - Greek DVD
The Art Of Love - Greek DVD

I can confirm the Japanese DVD of 'La Marge/The Streetwalker' is the French language print, with removeable Japanese subtitles.

The French disc of 'Lulu' arrived today and is a nice letterbox print.
My recent haul of Borowczyk releases from the U.K., France, USA and Greece is a giant leap from what was available on DVD even less than a year ago.

I'll say. I just got the Greek DVDs of ART OF LOVE and EMMANUELLE - LOVE EXPRESS.

ART OF LOVE has anamorphic menus with some nice transitions scored with music from the film. The transfer itself is non-anamorphic but the colors are as nice as the original photography allows (Borowczyk's images are intentionally diffused and lit low-key). The Greek subtitles are optional and Marina Pierro looks as good as ever.

I'll let someone else talk about the EMMANUELLE film because I'm not familiar about the differences between the French and US versions. The DVD is in English but has French credits. Pierre Bachalet's sappy theme song doesn't really outclass any of his STORY OF O score or even that cheesy theme song for the original EMMANUELLE.

Dr Jeckyll And His Womem DIVX clip
Here is a DIVX clip of my personal work-in-progress grading of Dr Jeckyll And His Women. Until a proper DVD is released I think am about done tinkering with this in the DV format for now.
It is about 24mb size if you'd like to have a look, and is the 'dance scene', with examples of dark/light/movement.

Thank you! Splendid, Walerian! Andrew, your left hand shows genius!

Here's some more Borowczyk info, as compiled by my good friend Sam Dunn:

1960 - LES ASTRONAUTES (animated short)
- extra on Goto, l’ille d’amour (Trash Mountain Video, Japan, NTSC) - no spoken dialogue

1968 - GOTO, L'ILE D'AMOUR/GOTO, ISLE OF LOVE
- Goto, l’ile d’amour, Trash Mountain Video, Japan, NTSC (French w/ removable Japanese subs)

1975 – DZIEJE GRZECHU/THE STORY OF SIN
- The Story of Sin, Nouveau Pictures, UK, PAL (Polish w/ removable English subs)

1975 - ESCARGOT DE VENUS (short)
- extra on Goto, l’ile d’amour (Trash Mountain Video, Japan, NTSC) - French w/ Japanese subs
- extra on Goto, l'isola dell'amore (Columbia TriStar, Italy, PAL) - French w/ Italian subs

1976 - LA MARGE
- La Marge, Pioneer, Japan, NTSC (French w/ removable Japanese subs)

1979 - LES HEROINES DU MAL
- Les Heroine du Mal, Pioneer, Japan, NTSC (French w/ removable Japanese subs)

1983 - ARS AMANDI/THE ART OF LOVE
- Trash Mountain Video, Japan, NTSC (Italian, removable Japanese subs) N.B: includes inserts, optically censored

1984 - SCHERZO INFERNAL (short)
- extra on Goto, l’ile d’amour (Trash Mountain Video, Japan, NTSC)

Also, Michael’s excellent list includes the Italian DVD edition of ‘Regina della notte’ (Legocart) which, it should be noted, is little more than a dupey-bootleg-looking release, which should be avoided at all costs.

Finally, here are a couple of great links for Boro enthusiasts:

http://www.awn.com/gallery/boro/intro.html
http://www.arte-tv.com/fr/cinema-fiction/C...CmC=763786.html

For the exhibition held at Annecy Museum (see the first of the above links) Borowczyk approved a couple of PAL VHS releases (with full colour cover artwork): the first was a collection of his shorts (using some fair to not-so-good quality prints); while the other was his 1967 feature, ‘Le theatre de M. Et Mme. Kabal’. (These appear to be the sources for many of the bootleg editions of some of his films that are out there in grey market land.) There was also a very nice small format book/catalogue produced for this exhibition.

A question for anyone who has seen the English-language version of LA MARGE entitled THE STREETWALKER: Does Joe Dallesandro dub his own performance? I was quite fond of this film when I first saw it, but my copy was the French edition with English subtitles. A friend of mine pointed out at the time Dallesandro looked perfect for the part of a businessman but wondered would he be as believable in his own voice.

Incidentally, are all English versions of THE STREETWALKER cut compared to the French version? I thought I read somewhere that the English version was specially prepared for an R-rating or something like that.

I saw an available rental copy in Australia of an English language version of 'The Streetwalker', and I'll try to give it a spin later.

Meanwhile here is a treat for fans of Dr Jeckyll & Walerian Borowczyk.

I have a Greek tape and it sounds like his voice which sounds odd delivering de Mandiargues dialogue although it isn't necessarily a bad performance. Bear in mind that the English version is seperately edited by Borowczyk for more mainstream consumption.