The Saragossa Manuscript [1965]

I first saw this film in a small London cinema in 1968, when I was a student. I rated the film then as a masterpiece, the best film I had ever seen. I went to see it three times. I continued to remember it with affection ever since.Having now seen the DVD, 41 years after my first viewing, I am completely baffled. I do not remember the intrusive electronic music in the 1968 cinema version; only the voices (in Polish), the heavy footsteps, and the various other sounds appropriate to the action on screen. The often heavy atmosphere, uncluttered by extraneous sounds.I found the electronic music to be a very annoying distraction that added considerable negative value to the film. I did not enjoy it at all. It ruined the film. The original without (to the best of my recollection) the electronic sounds was superior by far. The reduction of a masterpiece to something much less.Writing this completely negative review is difficult for me, because I am not absolutely sure of my facts. I am only going by memory when I assert that the original film had no electronic music. Is this assertion factually correct? Has the electronic music been added at some time after 1968, or was it in the original and have I simply forgotten? If the electronic music was added after 1968, who made this addition? Was it done by Cybulski -- in which case it is legitimate -- or was it added illegitimately by an inferior genius, without Cybulski's permission? I would greatly appreciate an answer to this question of fact, either in a subsequent review or in the comments section.Furthermore, the film seems to be much longer than I remember the original. Again, the (supposed) extra length has added considerable negative value to the film. The original producer was a much better judge of how long the film should be, and his cuts should have been respected. The director's cuts, if included at all, should have been appended as a sort of Appendix at the end of the DVD, for those who require this sort of thing. I wanted to see the original film in its original length.In my opinion (subject to my memory being correct 41 years after my original viewing), this DVD is disrespectful to the intentions of the genius Cybulski. The film has been ruined.Edited addition, dated 22 January 2010.I am grateful for the helpful information and factual corrections supplied by Mr Brooke in the Comments section, and I would recommend any reader of my review to also read his contribution. However, the fact remains that I enjoyed (immensely) the 1968 shorter version of the film but did not enjoy the longer DVD version. It may just be a psychological effect, with the DVD version not being "the same" as what I had remembered with such affection from 1968. Perhaps my recommendation ought to have been that anybody who has seen -- and grown to expect -- the 1968 cinema version, ought not to bother with the DVD version. -- RGC.

I discovered this film whilst reading Bunuel's memoirs (My Last Sigh). For the first 20 minutes or so Has' work seemed disjointed, the acting was not convincing and the cinematography appeared to be mediocre to say the least. Then the lead (a Napoleonic cavalry officer) ends up in a strange inn and is invited to share the 'delights' of two beauitiful and exotic women who he is somehow related to! However before the fun begins our hero has a drink from a skull goblet. Cut to a scene of rotting corpses, gibbet and sore head. What's going on? Slowly but surely a sequence of events and chance encounters leads to a colourful exploration of cabbalistic traditions, surreal moments, parched landscapes and humorous exploits. I felt as if I had drunk a magical potion as the narrative wraps around the viewer with a compelling ease. I suggest watching this film during a thunderstorm!!!! Thanks Bunuel.

Loved it! I had dithered for ages before buying this film as I had seen glimpses of it on TV when I was a child and had been very frightened. I'm glad I bought it though as I will definitely watch it again.I can see how it would have been scary for a child and besides I happened to see the most frightening moment (Pacheco's tale) but there was nothing frightening or unpleasant about it. I actually want to read the book now as the film ended on a strange note and reading the original book might bring some light to it. Very glad I found this film here.

It's very hard to write something constructive after such a great review like Richard Bowden's. I won't go into any details then, I will simply state you will love this movie from the first sight. You will be shocked, amazed and astonished and I guarantee you won't be able to stop thinking about it for a couple of days.That's very unusual movie, I think it's still very progressive even after 44 years of it's existence, Penderecki's soundtrack gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.Well, I think I have seen this movie about 100 times and I am 33, means that I will have a chance to watch it at least another 200 before I die. And that makes me so happy...

Most people reading these reviews are probably familiar with the actual film itself. It is an excellent and influential film that has won worldwide acclaim. This excellent Blu-Ray version is magnificent. The clarity and richness of the image makes this one of the finest presentations of the film that anyone could wish for. The subtitles are clear and easy to read, and the sound is beautiful Mono. This is a Digi-Book presentation, and all of the text is in Polish, which, unfortunately, I cannot read. However, the accompanying photos are wonderful. The disc shipped from Krakow, Poland and is Region Free. Simply put, this disc is a treat.

Long and sometimes boring film with some very effective scenes and the ambitions to transpose one of the most mysterious and hard to visualize books ever written.Here the director is very good at conveying a sense of dream with just few elements and details, without stressing too much on visual effects and dream-like or nightmarish cliché.A very intellectual operation, but I personally prefer the real director's masterpiece, The Hourglass Sanatorium, now available on blu ray. Anyway the Saragossa Manuscript is a gem and rare film that will make a difference in your personal library.

Surprisingly effective film version of Potocki's novel. The story, such as it is, consists of many "nested" stories narrated by characters in the previous story. The overall effect is either confused or hallucinatory depending on your point of view - Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Daed clearly took the later view as it was apparently his favourite film.