The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)

Director: Peter Greenaway
Writers: Peter Greenaway
Stars: Anthony Higgins, Janet Suzman, Anne-Louise Lambert

Peter Greenaway became a director of international status with this witty, stylised and erotic English country house murder mystery. In an apparently idyllic 17th-century Wiltshire, an ambitious draughtsman is commissioned by the wife of an aristocrat to produce 12 drawings depicting her husband's estate, in return for which he will receive payment, board and bed - hers. Extravagant costumes, a twisting plot, elegantly barbed dialogue and a score by Michael Nyman make the film a treat for ear, eye and mind.

Film Distributor: BFI (British Film Institute)

Extras:
- Presented in High Definition from a new 4K restoration for the film's 40th anniversary
- Audio commentary by Peter Greenaway (2003)
- Introduction by Greenaway (2003, 10 mins): the director discusses the genesis of The Draughtsman's Contract, his creative choices and the film's central themes
- Visions: A Film Comment by Angela Carter (1982, 21 mins): the novelist's contemporary TV review of the film
- The Guardian Interview: Michael Nyman (2002, audio only, 7 mins): the composer discusses his work on the film
- The Greenaway Alphabet (2017, 60 mins): Saskia Boddeke's deeply personal portrait of her husband, his art and his relationship with his daughter
- H Is for House (1976, 9 mins): an early short film by Greenaway
- A Walk Through H (1978, 42 mins): Greenaway's short depicting the symbolic journey of an ornithologist through a mysterious bird-filled country
- Insight: Zandra Rhodes (1981, 15 mins): Greenaway's profile of the fashion designer
- Interview with Janet Suzman, Greenaway and Anthony Higgins (1981, 5 mins)
- Behind the scenes footage (1981, 5 mins)
- Deleted scenes and outtakes (1981, 11 mins total)
- Original theatrical trailer
- Restoration trailer (2022)
- Image gallery