Peeping Tom (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

If not for the visual quality of "Peeping Tom," it might be difficult to believe this is a Michael Powell film. With Emeric Pressburger, the director made such amazing films as Black Narcissis, The Red Shoes, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, and A Matter of Life and Death—and those films are easily linked to him, as "Powell & Pressburger" is a defining feature of them all. However, "Peeping Tom," whose script was written by Leo Marks, did not interest Pressburger, and he did not participate in the film's making. Why? Well, at the time, in the late 1950s, the term "serial killer" was certainly not attractive as film fare, and that is essentially what "Peeping Tom" is about—although certainly not all it is about.As for background, Leo Marks, a writer who had been a WWII code-breaker, was approached by Powell to work on a movie about Freud, a topic that morphed into Freudianism when Powell learned another director (John Huston) was planning a film about the famous Austrian psychologist. The script was informed by collaborative ideas, and for its main character, Powell craftily cast an Austrian actor, Carl Boehm—an A-level artist all the way. "Peeping Tom" ended up co-produced by David O. Selznick, and altho that allowed the making of the film, it probably was counterproductive to the fate of the film, for when word got out via the critics that the movie was about a serial killer—and one who, in the act, filmed his victims—"Peeping Tom" was declared scandalous and vanished from distribution, yanked from theaters before hardly any movie-goers had seen it. The TV rights were sold to some "fly-by-night character in America" (Powell's words) and "Peeping Tom" was not seen for a very long time, its film stock degrading over the years.Thus it is remarkable we even HAVE "Peeping Tom" to peep at now, especially in its current restored condition. My Criterion release looks fantastic, and I'm referring to the blu-ray, not the UHD (as I don't have a 4K player). There are very good extras, including an intro by Martin Scorsese, an interview with editor Thelma Schoonmaker, an almost hour-long documentary about the film's history, a documentary about writer Leo Marks, and a program on the film's restoration. You also get a nicely designed foldout insert with an essay by Megan Abbott. But best of all, you get a fascinating film, one that easily falls into the category of "Perfect for Rewatching."All that said, is it really horrifying? Is it totally guts and gore? Is it scandalous in any way that deserves the hue and cry of "Scandal!"? Quite plainly, no. If you compare it to, say, "Psycho," which was released THE SAME YEAR as "Peeping Tom," the latter seems downright tame. Whereas there were people who said they never showered again, preferring baths, after seeing "Psycho," I doubt anyone seeing "Peeping Tom" would ever stop doing anything (unless, maybe, if they were "ladies of the night"). The film is not sordid—for that, see a couple of scenes in Hitchcock's "Frenzy." It is not grisly. It is not even terrifying in the way that many horror films are, although there is terror. In part, it's the kind of terror more aligned with "The Twilight Zone," in that we are reflected in it, as voyeurs, in a philosophical, psychological way. In part, it bears terror not only because, yes, there are murders in the film, but the killer wields a movie camera and there is something unusual in his manner of killing that strikes a deep psychological chord. I won't explain, as it would be a spoiler, but it's nothing scandalous, only quite nightmarish. In part, it bears terror because of the childhood memories of the killer, which are quite disturbing for us (rather than terrifying) and fall into a Freudian realm. The role of filmmaking is also significant to "Peeping Tom," but again, is nothing approaching scandalous.All in all, this is a highly accomplished film by Michael Powell, with good to great acting, a fine script, fabulous camerawork, and (if you are so inclined) serious material to think about afterwards. Martin Scorsese says in his intro that "Peeping Tom" is a great film. A master of great moviemaking himself, of course, he is right. So happy that Criterion released this wonderful update.

Can't explain but there are 70's drive-in movie vibes in the year 1960 and constant suspense going through the whole movie. Constantly clever dialogue through out. The 4k is incredible.

A fascinating film

Try Diabolique or Psycho.

Bought as a giftRecipient enjoyed it a lot

I'm very always loved Powell and Pressburger's movies, and Powell by himself has still delivered greatness. The right blend of creepy and beautiful with tone and scenework, I would highly recommend this to any movie buff.

Outstanding 4k picture, colors explode!

The disc I originally bought was defective, and so was the replacement. I. Give. Up,

I've been waiting for this one! The Grandfather of the mad slasher. First person point of view shots are incredible!

If you like movies with bright beautiful colors, you will enjoy this movie. It is filmed in a rich and saturated Technicolor.The performances are great, and the story is well told. This is an eerie movie, that is different. Well worth a watch!