Read more
Nineteenth-century Paris comes colourfully to life in this lavish, high-kicking, gorgeously shot portrait of tormented artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, directed by screen legend John Huston.
Friend and chronicler of the eccentric characters who populate fiery Paris nightspot the Moulin Rouge, Toulouse-Lautrec (José Ferrer, Cyrano de Bergerac) sips cognac and wears his disability lightly as he sketches the dancers who feature in his vivid works. But when he becomes embroiled in a turbulent relationship with a vivacious prostitute, he turns to the bottle and frustrated passion, love, heartbreak and painful self-discovery beckon in bawdy, bohemian Paris. Beautifully framed by the camerawork of award-winning cinematographer Oswald Morris (Fiddler on the Roof), this heartrending drama is played out against the lush strains of Georges Auric's evocative score.
Special features:
- Restored in 4K from the original 35mm nitrate negative
- Images of Paris in Silent Film (17mins): a selection or rare early films, spanning the years 1900-1925, reflecting different aspects of life in Lautrec's adopted home, from the vaults of the BFI National Archive
- Lightning Sketches: Posters, Printing and Caricatures in Silent Film (21 mins): artists use new cinematic technology to bring their topical cartoons to life in this collection of archival oddities from the earliest days of animation and the popular press
- Lautrec (1974, 6 mins): Lautrec's characters dance playfully through this lovely short animated film which celebrates his life and work
- Commentary by Angela Allen (2019): the longstanding associate of John Huston and Moulin Rouge script supervisor discusses this film and many others across an eclectic career in this new commentary recorded specifically for this release
- Image gallery
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Fully illustrated booklet with essays and full film credits
Zsa Zsa Gabor