Search - The Tenant on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity Movie Release: 1976 DVD Release: 07/01/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 5 mins Studio: Paramount Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Thriller, Satire, Black Comedy, Supernatural Thriller

Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant. Trelkovsky (Polanski) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building, where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant, a beautiful young woman, jumped from the window in a suicide attempt, Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid, Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella (Isabel Adjani), the woman he has fallen in love with, is in on the "plot." Ultimately, Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self-destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone; others compared it to Polanski's early breakthrough, Repulsion. The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique, a novel by Roland Topor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Roman Polanski - Trelkovsky
Isabelle Adjani - Stella
Melvyn Douglas - Monsieur Zy
Jo Van Fleet - Madame Dioz
Bernard Fresson - Scope
Shelley Winters - Concierge

It's not surprising to see the films of Roman Polanski arrive on DVD, including The Tenant, especially considering the success of The Pianist. Paramount, however, hasn't exactly gone all out in showcasing this, one of his lesser-seen titles. The image, framed at 1.85:1 and anamorphic, is the disc's one strong point. While far from perfect, it does look good with few distractions (such as grain or dirt). Colors are fairly well represented and blacks are generally strong and deep. The sound, of which a mono track is split over two channels, is nothing to get excited about. Dialogue is often distorted and recorded low. At times, the English subtitles come in very handy. Also included is a mono French soundtrack. As for extras, don't expect much; the film's theatrical trailer is the sole supplement. When a movie stands on its own, a bare-boned disc like this is perfectly adequate. In this case, something more really would have added to the experience. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide