Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17896 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-02-08
• Rating: Unrated
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Roman Polanski was still a newcomer to the world of cinema when he unleashed this unforgettable exercise in skin-crawling terror. Repulsion was the Polish director's first film in English, but that hardly mattered: much of the movie is as wordless (and as weird) as the silent Nosferatu. The young Catherine Deneuve plays a Belgian girl stranded in '60s London, a shy beauty with no social skills. When her sister leaves their shared flat, Deneuve goes gradually, quietly, completely mad. Her world becomes Polanski's paintbox, as the devilish director distorts reality via a series of surrealistic touches (grasping hands that protrude from elastic walls) and out-and-out murderous horror. Very few films cast the kind of eerie spell that this 1965 classic achieves, and it clearly points the way toward Polanski's Rosemary's Baby. As with most of the director's work, what is unsettling is not the overt violence, but the terrifying sense of emptiness and isolation, and the boiling unease inside one's own mind. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Excellent Film
I really do understand why a lot of people don't like this movie. I really feel sorry for them, however. This is a very slow movie that rides it's suspense. The acting was excellent, Catherine Deneuve makes you want to grab her and scream what the hell is wrong with you. There is very little action or dialogue which might be a putoff for some people, personally, I was gripped throughout the whole movie. But this movie is certainly not for everyone. It was one of Polanski's first movies, and very artistic, along the lines of a movie like Eraserhead. If you don't like slow movies, or don't like to think during a movie, or don't like to think period, this movie is not for you. However if psychosis fascinates you, and slow building suspense gets your rocks off, check this one out. You will not be disappointed.

REVIEW of Region 1 & 4 Latin America release
I read the Repulsion DVD comparison/review between the region 1 and region 2 releases on dvdbeaver.com. Region 1 being just unacceptable quality and region 2 suffering from artificial contrast boosts as well as a DTS track that makes you turn down the sound at parts. I was seriously considering buying the criterion laser disc for $100 due to my loyalty in wanting to see the film as closely as possible to the way Mr. Polanski intended. I then saw the Latin America release (region 1 and 4) and decided to bite the bullet.

The picture quality of the Latin America release was just as relieving as could be. It's widescreen (the films original aspect ratio). There are no scan lines or flutters or wrinkles tarnishing the picture. It's definition high and very clear. The contrast and brightness look natural and still punchy. To sum it up: looking at the screenshots of the region 1 and region 2 DVDs on dvdbeaver, then watching the film in its entirety with the Latin America release. I can safely say this is the best looking image of the movie currently available and I don't imagine it could get much better. As for the sound, no pops or dynamic raises for certain parts. A clear and natural representation of the original recording. I do wish the sound were a bit more detailed but you must excuse the fact that I am an audiophile. The downfall of the DVD to some people may be the fact that the menus and case are in spanish. But the film is in English and the quality cannot be beat. That is all that matters to me.

The film itself is now one of my favorites. It's a very deep psychological study of the isolation and psyche of a very shy girl. Denevue's performance is haunting and is easily her best. This is now my favorite Polanski film, it is just perfectly directed. Growing up in the time of edits-a-plenty and flashy camera movement, it's nice to see great camera work that compliments the story. No movement for the sake of movement. Polanski is one of the great directors.

Great film, poor DVD
I am only rating this three stars because this particular DVD is of such poor quality. If you have a multi-region player I would recommend buying the region 2 version of this film (available here and on Amazon UK) - I have seen both versions and the picture quality on the region 2 version is far superior. Other than that - Repulsion is a gem. Polanski at his finest. Cannot recommend this movie enough. Agreed on the calls for a Criterion Collection release!