Wojciech Jerzy Has - The Saragossa Manuscript

Based on the book by the highly-esteemed Count Jan Potocki, the film version is reputedly a respectful, mostly faithful adaptation of this literary cat’s cradle set in the weird fantasy landscapes of arid 17th-century Spain.

The films creates a magical, sometimes disturbing, world of the supernatural so it’s no surprise that this was a counterculture classic and Jerry Garcia’s favourite. He, along with Martin Scorsese, put up part of the money to have it restored to its full length. Besides the convoluted structure, characters pop in and out of each other’s stories with the random logic of a trip.

The characters includes sexy ghost princeses, demon-possessions and many a corpse. The intriguing stylistic flourishes sit against the wonderful soundtrack, which was composed by Krzyszt Penderecki, famous for the scores of The Shining and Wild At Heart.

Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Luis Bunuel and Jerry Garcia have at various times described The Saragossa Manuscript as their favorite film.




Simultaneously horrific, erotic and funny … this is one mother of a film David Lynch

I love the Saragossa Manuscript…exceptional Luis Bunuel

Compelling blur into a surreal comic vision of a world in which reality and fantasy are indistinguishable NY Times

Its expert stylization, imaginative period recreations and gutsy playing by a valorous Zbigniew Cybulski as the man on the quest. Variety

Polish genius Le Monde

The launch of the most exciting movie this decade Time Out

SPECIFICATIONS

Original Release: 1965
Running Time 182 minutes
2:1 anamorphic 16:9 / B&W
Licensed from Jeck Film
Polish with English subtitles
Extras: Gallery of promotional artwork and stills