It may come as a surprise to find that I am not a major fan of Roman Polanski. Its not his specific actions that are and should be held separate from his art, more it is films. At his brilliant best, his films are just that. Brilliant. CHINATOWN, THE PIANIST and MACBETH all stand tall with a genius. But some of his films never landed with me. ROSEMARYS BABY, KNIFE IN THE WATER, CUL DE SAC and REPULSION. It could be that they are psychologically complex and I try to examine them with theory? It could be that they are rich in claustrophobic detail, charting the breakdown of reality? Whatever it is I am equally unable to engage.

Polanski followed up his breakthrough film KNIFE IN THE WATER with this. Going to England was essential to get a shot at English language film market. Its smaller and sharper but if you make it there, then Hollywood will open its doors. He served up a controversial and chilling tale of psychosis. Carol (Catherine Deneuve), is a French girl living in Kensington with her sister. She has undiagnosed mental health issues and is fragile. She is also likely a victim of sexual abuse and so has internalised her abuse and externalised her defences. In the flat when left alone by her vacationing sister and her boyfriend, the mental break creates a disturbing end…

There is little new here on the Blu Ray of the prior DVD release from Criterion. To be fair, that version of REPULSION was almost perfect. The new HD restoration has some issues. Some light problems. Some tone issues and a bit, just a bit of diffusion on the edges. A very good documentary has been added, which gives less detail than the commentary but fills in a few gaps. The best thing here is Chabrol documentary, where we see Polanski direct and feel the energy on the set, so missed by many a film fan.

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