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One of the greatest of all medieval films not least for its utterly distinctive realisation of a recognisable yet alien world Walerian Borowczyk’s third feature was widely hailed as a masterpiece from the moment it first appeared and is still regarded as one of his greatest films. Based on Juliusz S?owacki’s 19th-century play Mazepa but relocated to 13th-century France Blanche tells the story of the beautiful young wife (Ligia Branice) of a nobleman many decades older (French acting legend Michel Simon). As innocent as her name suggests Blanche becomes the unwilling centre of attention in a power struggle between her husband the visiting King and his page the latter a notorious womaniser. Its unique visual style resembles a medieval fresco and its period-instruments soundtrack adapting the ancient ‘Carmina Burana’ song book was years ahead of its time. Blanche is presented in a brand new high-definition restoration from original 35mm elements. Bonus Features: New high definition digital transfers of the feature and the shorts Uncompressed Mono 2.0 PCM Audio Optional English subtitles where necessary Introduction by Schalcken the Painter director Leslie Megahey Ballad of Imprisonment a documentary about the film featuring producer Dominique Duvergé-Ségrétin assistant director André Heinrich camera operator Noël Véry and assistant Patrice Leconte Obscure Pleasures: A Portrait of Walerian Borowczyk a newly edited archival interview in which Borowczyk discusses painting cinema and sex Gunpoint a documentary short by Peter Graham produced and edited by Borowczyk Reversible sleeve featuring original poster designs Collector’s booklet
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