The Draughtsman's Contract

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The Draughtsman's Contract

R

1983

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Set in a richly exaggerated 17th-century England, Peter Greenaway's witty, stylized, erotic country house murder mystery catapulted him to the forefront of international art cinema in 1982. Adorned with intricate wordplay, extravagant costumes and opulent photography, Greenaway's first narrative feature weaves a labyrinthine mystery around the maxim "draw what you see, not what you know." An aristocratic wife (Janet Suzman) commissions a young, cocksure draughtsman (Anthony Higgins) to sketch her husband's property while he is away--in exchange for a fee, room and board, and one sexual favor for each of the twelve drawings. As the draughtsman becomes more entrenched in the devious schemings in this seemingly idyllic country home, curious details emerge in his drawings that may reveal a murder. Bolstered by a mesmerizing score by then-newcomer Michael Nyman and stunning cinematography by Curtis Clark, The Draughtsman's Contract is a luscious cinematic banquet for eye, ear and mind.

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Critics Consensus

Smart and utterly original, The Draughtsman's Contract is a period piece that marks the further maturation of a writer-director with a thrillingly unique vision.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Nov 10, 2022

5/5

The Draughtsman’s Contract has a singular brilliance.

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Mark Kermode

Sight & Sound

Feb 7, 2019

Agatha Christy this ain't, but it is weirdly wonderful.

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Alan Morrison

Empire Magazine

Feb 7, 2019

4/5

A well-constructed plot that's both playful and thematically significant.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 11, 2025

The Draughtsman’s Contract is a fantastic debut film from Greenaway whose ambiguous approach to its mystery and myriad details lends itself to rewarding repeat viewings.

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Gary M. Kramer

MovieJawn

Jun 28, 2023

An intriguing murder mystery, a cheeky satire on English class, and a naughty sex romp—rendered in such a rigorous way that it requires steadfast attention.... The point of all the provocation is simply that nothing is quite what it appears to be.

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

Nov 17, 2022

Ensuring that The Draughtsman’s contract is a feast for the ears, eyes and mind.

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SIMAS C

@simas_eros 3 days ago

A film by Peter Greenaway that begins as entertaining, provocative, and exuberant, yet ultimately fails to deliver anything truly compelling. Somewhat theatrical in nature, it feels like a blend of *Barry Lyndon* and Monty Python, where eroticism remains latent and the comedy stems largely from the interplay between temptation and modesty.

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bill c

@RT42039299 Dec 4, 2024

If yesterday were today ( 1980’s). This is a work of art and an emulation of boy becomes man meets contractor understands Tim Burton . Achieved primarily through circumstance but highly probable, due to its timeless nature. .

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S R

@ScottR Feb 26, 2024

1001 movies to see before you die (added later). Unique and pompous. Not really my cuppa, but it was well written and directed. RUS.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Jul 28, 2023

A veritable masterpiece of British cinema and voted amongst the BFI top 100. The cutting dialogue full of witty barbs is coupled with mystery and scheming. A daring piece of direction makes this an atypical period piece and constantly alluring to imbibe.

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william d

@acsdoug Aug 21, 2021

It took me a while to adapt to the cadence and vocabulary of the characters. I'm not really sure if people in 17th century England really talked that way, but it feels authentic, a necessary feature since the film consists almost entirely of set piece dialogue between the characters. I'm stopping just short of recommending the film, however, since I did not find the story particularly interesting.

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Dec 5, 2020

Life in fragments, through windows, framed. Draughtsman needs an evening of contemplation as all the micro plots cogitate in your mind and you figure out what you saw. A murder mystery, comedy of manners or lack thereof as Britain transitions to a more entrepreneurial educated, class fluid society through the constitutional monarchy and into the 18th century. Sexually raw, primal, manipulative; it's a power play piece where the aristocracy ultimately wins because they can. Blackadder's world with great country house, a classic Michael Nyman soundtrack to Greenaway's dynamic direction. Rollicking.

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Peter Greenaway

Director

Anthony Higgins

Mr. Neville

Janet Suzman

Mrs. Herbert

Anne Louise Lambert

Sarah Talmann

Neil Cunningham

Thomas Noyes

Dave Hill

Mr. Herbert

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Synopsis

Set in a richly exaggerated 17th-century England, Peter Greenaway's witty, stylized, erotic country house murder mystery catapulted him to the forefront of international art cinema in 1982. Adorned with intricate wordplay, extravagant costumes and opulent photography, Greenaway's first narrative feature weaves a labyrinthine mystery around the maxim "draw what you see, not what you know." An aristocratic wife (Janet Suzman) commissions a young, cocksure draughtsman (Anthony Higgins) to sketch her husband's property while he is away--in exchange for a fee, room and board, and one sexual favor for each of the twelve drawings. As the draughtsman becomes more entrenched in the devious schemings in this seemingly idyllic country home, curious details emerge in his drawings that may reveal a murder. Bolstered by a mesmerizing score by then-newcomer Michael Nyman and stunning cinematography by Curtis Clark, The Draughtsman's Contract is a luscious cinematic banquet for eye, ear and mind.

Director: Peter Greenaway
Producer: David Payne
Screenwriter: Peter Greenaway
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films / Kino Lorber
Production Co: Channel Four Films, British Film Institute
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 19, 1983, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2022
Runtime: 1h 48m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

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