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. On 18 November 2019, a new 4K restoration of Moulin Rouge comes to Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, released by the BFI in a Dual Format Edition with a simultaneous release on BFI Player and iTunes.
Extras include Images of Paris in Silent Films, a selection of rare films from 1900-1925, preserved in the BFI National Archive and a new commentary by Angela Allen, a long standing associate of John Huston and script supervisor on Moulin Rouge.
Friend and chronicler of the eccentric characters who populate fiery Paris night spot 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 (17 mins): a selection of 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
· Illustrated booklet (***first pressing only***) containing an essay by John Oliver, a biography of John Huston by Dr Josephine Botting, notes on the special features and cast and credits
UK / 1952 / colour / 114 mins / English / optional hard-of-hearing subtitles / 1.37:1 / Music, Drama
