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Three world cinema classics come to UK Blu-ray in September

31 July 2015

Three classic films from legendary directors Wojciech Has and Federico Fellini make their debut on Blu-ray from Mr Bongo Films. Has’ The Saragossa Manuscript and The Hourglass Sanatorium and Fellini’s Casanova get the high-def treatment in their fully restored versions on 7th September 2015, each at the retail price of just £12.99 apiece.

 

The Saragossa Manuscript [Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie] (1965)

Described by world famous filmmakers Luis Buñuel and David Lynch, and rock star Jerry Garcia as their favourite film, legendary Polish director Wojciech Has’ psychedelic epic The Saragossa Manuscript is a mysteriously magical and sometimes disturbing 1960s cult classic like no other.

Adapted from the highly esteemed explorer Jan Potocki’s magnum opus, The Saragossa Manuscript encompasses a whole new supernatural world. During Napoleon’s invasion of Spain, two soldiers of opposing sides discover a strange manuscript at an Inn. Spanning centuries and nations the magical text chronicles the adventures of Alfonso van Worden (Zbigniew Cybulski – Ashes and Diamonds) and follows a rich slew of journeys from the humorous to the horrifying, to the chilling final revelations.

Alternatively frightening and comical in its mind-bending exploration of human nature, The Saragossa Manuscript beautifully presents Has’ intricate approach to storytelling.

"I love the Saragossa Manuscript...exceptional." - Luis Buñuel

 

The Hourglass Sanatorium [Sanatorium pod klepsydra] (1973)

Wojciech Has’ cinematic universe of byzantine sets, hallucinatory images and galleries of grotesque characters is brought to life in his psychedelic masterpiece The Hourglass Sanatorium.

Set in the pre-World War II era, a young man named Joseph (Jan Nowicki – Tulips, Spirala) visits a strange dilapidated Sanatorium to see his dying father Jakob (Tadeusz Konrat – Adventure in Marienstadt, Zawilosci Uczuc). Upon arrival he finds a hospital crumbling into ruin, where time is slowed down in order to maintain his father’s life signs. Joseph must venture through the many rooms of the sanatorium, each filled with sinister worlds conjured from his memories, dreams and nightmares.

"A mind-blowing work, the cinematographic equivalent of all Mahler’s symphonies put together." – International Film Guide.

"An absolute masterpiece." - La Monde.

 

 

Fellini's Casanova [Il Casanova di Federico Fellini] (1976)

Federico Fellini’s most sumptuous and dark production, the daringly visual and imaginatively designed Casanova is renowned as one of the greatest films of the 1970s. Celebrated for its production values, costume design and Nino Rota’s haunting score, Casanova charts the nobleman’s search for happiness that leads his road to tragedy.

Breaking through the myth of Giacomo Casanova, Donald Sutherland (MASH, The Hunger Games) portrays the notorious womaniser in his waning days, engaging in various amorous and political adventures. Casanova craves respect as a scholar and yearns to pursue his interest in alchemy. A sex scandal lands him in prison, but an escape to Paris provides him a new lease of life. Yet every court in Europe and its attendant patrons and hostesses will only entertain him if he lives up to his reputation in the ritual displays of sex and courtship which form part of the daily life of 18th Century Europe.

Special features: Trailer and stills gallery.

"Sutherland's performance is the most astonishing piece of screen acting since Brando's in Last Tango in Paris." – Time Out

"A spectacular visual fantasy which succeeds in capturing the emotional and moral void at the heart of the Casanova myth ... a beautiful, indulgent private fantasy." – Film 4