Polanski's "What?" (UK): 10/20/08

[NoirFan]

From dvdtimes (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=68946): Severin Films have announced the UK DVD release of What? on 20th October 2008 priced at £14.99 RRP. Roman Polanski described it as “the ribald adventures of an innocent girl”. Critics called it “an amoral, depraved disaster”. More than three decades after its controversial release, it remains the most butchered, debated and least seen film of the director’s entire career. Now, for the first time ever, Roman Polanski’s What?, will be available on DVD in the UK.

Sydne Rome stars as an oft-naked American girl lost inside a Mediterranean villa inhabited by priests, pianists, perverts and a syphilitic pimp (Marcello Mastroianni) while indulging in madcap acts of gang rape, sodomy and ping-pong. Hugh Griffith, Romolo Valli and Polanski himself also star in this surreal and sexy comedy, now finally restored to its original running time from a vault print reportedly stolen from the wine cellar of producer Carlo Ponti.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd114/besh1/what_r2front.jpg

[PopcornTreeCt]

Never heard of it but the description has me sold...that and I'll watch anything Polanski makes.

[manicsounds]

They stole the print and made this DVD? Should that even be advertised? Sounds prone to a lawsuit....

[CritterYawn]

Love the scene of the old man dying happy...

[pro-bassoonist]

Yes, Severin (a US company) are indeed launching a UK branch. This is a great development so hopefully the versions they put there will eliminate the "combing" issues on their US discs as this has been just about the only issue to be upset with.

I imported the old Spanish disc of Che. It is a good film and if served well in terms of audio/video it is definitely worth picking up.

Pro-B

[clckworang]

I am surprised to say that I have never heard of this film. And I consider myself a Polanski fan! I'll have to check it out.

[chaos2046]

I have the Italian version... Good movie, and a must-have for any Polanski fan!!

[cultshock]

Cool, I can finally retire the old bootleg VHS that I've had for over 10 years. :lol: (at least it was letterboxed, but the quality left much to be desired)

[NoirFan]

Extras, from DVDTimes:

* 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
* English DD2.0
* Sydne In Wonderland - featurette with star Sydne Rome (16:02mins)
* Memories of a Young Pianist - featurette with composer Claudio Gizzi (21:50mins)
* A Surreal Pop Movie - featurette with cinematographer Marcello Gatti (16:04mins)
* Theatrical Trailers (1:55mins)