The Draughtsman's Contract 1982
7.2 / 10
The Draughtsman's Contract
A young artist is commissioned by the wife of a wealthy landowner to make a series of drawings of the estate while her husband is away.
A young artist is commissioned by the wife of a wealthy landowner to make a series of drawings of the estate while her husband is away.
Videos & Photos
All 2 Videos & 17 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Mr. Neville
... Virginia Herbert
... Herbert
... Sarah Talmann
... Mr. Talmann
... Thomas Noyes
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews11 Nov 2022 by CinemaSerf
Anthony Higgins is artist "Neville" who attracts the eye of the unhappily married aristocrat "Mrs. Herbert" (Janet Suzman). She concocts a plan to have her wicked way with him by commissioning him to sketch twelve aspects of their modest stately home in return for £8 per drawing and unlimited "access" to her person. When "Mr. Herbert" has to go away, that proves convenient for all and their contract is agreed and applied. Midway through his task, her daughter "Mrs. Talmann" (Anne-Louise Lambert) approaches our virile artist with another proposal. She is saddled with the foppish "Talmann" (Hugh Fraser) who would appear to be no use whatsoever in begetting an heir. Her deal with "Neville" however is more on her terms - and he thinks he is in clover. Is he though, or is he being played buy one or both of these women - and where has "Mr. Herbert" got to through all these shenanigans? Peter Greenaway gives this a sort of Regency look to it, the costumes - especially the wigs - are exaggerated to fully illustrate the vacuousness of their petty but privileged existence and there is some humour that just about stays on the satirical side of bawdy! Suzman is great, as is Lambert and though I found Higgins just a bit weak to sustain the title role, this is still a great and entertaining ensemble effort well complimented by Michael Nyman's lively and Handel-esque score. Forty years on, it has lost little of it's power to ridicule and shame, is pithily written and is well worth a watch.
Release Date:
Nov 12, 1982 (United Kingdom)
Run Time:
1hr 48`
MMPA Rating:
R
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
United Kingdom
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
The Draughtsman's Contract
Anthony Higgins is artist "Neville" who attracts the eye of the unhappily married aristocrat "Mrs. Herbert" (Janet Suzman). She concocts a plan to have her wicked way with him by commissioning him to sketch twelve aspects of their modest stately home in return for £8 per drawing and unlimited "access" to her person. When "Mr. Herbert" has to go away, that proves convenient for all and their contract is agreed and applied. Midway through his task, her daughter "Mrs. Talmann" (Anne-Louise Lambert) approaches our virile artist with another proposal. She is saddled with the foppish "Talmann" (Hugh Fraser) who would appear to be no use whatsoever in begetting an heir. Her deal with "Neville" however is more on her terms - and he thinks he is in clover. Is he though, or is he being played buy one or both of these women - and where has "Mr. Herbert" got to through all these shenanigans? Peter Greenaway gives this a sort of Regency look to it, the costumes - especially the wigs - are exaggerated to fully illustrate the vacuousness of their petty but privileged existence and there is some humour that just about stays on the satirical side of bawdy! Suzman is great, as is Lambert and though I found Higgins just a bit weak to sustain the title role, this is still a great and entertaining ensemble effort well complimented by Michael Nyman's lively and Handel-esque score. Forty years on, it has lost little of it's power to ridicule and shame, is pithily written and is well worth a watch.
Cast & Crew of
The Draughtsman's Contract
Directors & Credit Writers
AP
Andy Powell... Assistant Director
... Director
Cast
... Mr. Neville
... Virginia Herbert
... Herbert
... Sarah Talmann
... Mr. Talmann
... Thomas Noyes
... Poulenc Brother
TM
Tony Meyer... Poulenc Brother
... Mr Parkes
... Mrs Pierpont
... Mrs Clement
... The Statue
... Seymour
... Philip
SU
Steve Ubels... Hoyten
BK
Ben Kirby... Augustus
... Governess
KD
Kate Doherty... Maid
... Mr. Porringer
... Laundress
Produced By
Videos & Photos of
The Draughtsman's Contract
Videos ( 2)
2022 Re-Release Trailer
YouTube
Photos ( 17 )
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