Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
by Marina Zenovich
List Price:
Our Price: $2.15
You Save: $17.83 (89%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.78 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Istvan Bajzat, Madeline Bessmer, Marilyn Beck, Pedro Almodvar, Steve BarshopDirector: Marina Zenovich
Brand: Roman
Writer: Marina Zenovich
Writer: Joe Bini
Writer: P.G. Morgan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Spanish (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-27
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Velocity / Thinkfilm
Movie Reviews of Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Movie Review: You mean this WASN'T another hack-job on Roman?
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first heard about this documentary, I was weary of it. I automatically thought it would be yet another American hack-job on Roman and I wasn't even swayed by the positive reviews it got.
But, boy, did I have to eat my words! Marina Zenovich presented a very balanced picture of the events of 1977 that actually (whoa!) wound up being sympathetic towards Roman and the fact that he was indeed a victim of the sick, sorry joke that's known as the American justice system.
Clips of Roman's movies, of the press frenzy that prevented justice from taking place on all sides of the issue, and the appropriate focus on the media whore Laurence J. Rittenband (he would have been proud of Lance Ito) woven together provided the background to an unfortunate event.
Her work answered a lot of questions for me, but brought up fresh ones and it was great to see people who have not previously spoken about this open up in a big way. I will say it was refreshing to see famous people express my sentiments regarding the 1977 incident (all I'll have to say about that is "Thank you, Mrs. Sylbert!" and is that all Samantha Gailey Geimer had to say in response?). It was probably a shock for a lot of people to hear the D.A. in the case, Roger Gunson, say (in a roundabout way) that he understood why Roman fled to France, as it was for Ms. Zenovich when she said "Really?" in a tone of complete shock.
Another thing I enjoyed about watching this was the class that came from defense attorney Douglas Dalton. This case had all the makings of coming to a successful conclusion for everyone with all lawyers involved having clear heads and common sense, but it was very unfortunate that Rittenband was more enthralled with the press and his image than he was in seeing justice served and in being fair to the accused (something that's lost in too many court cases in this country) and I'm both pleased and elated that Ms. Zenovich had the foresight to focus on that here. (P.S. Could someone please explain why Rittenband was never disbarred?)
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to see *some* justice done to Roman after all these years, but it still bothers me that, overall, the low-life scumbag Charles Manson and the zombies who did his dirty work are actually looked at more favorably and treated better by the American media than Roman Polanski. Care to disagree? Look at the recent press on how wonderful these folks have been in prison and of "poor" Susan Atkins and comment.
I've watched this documentary three times in one week and feel better about the treatment Roman was given here each time (especially the very end where Roman proved he didn't need Hollywood to make good, award-winning movies)- even if he did refuse to be interviewed or Ms. Zenovich preferred to let Roman talk via archive footage (whatever the case may be).
This documentary also proved a point that's been long overdue in making: Isn't it time for the grandstanders at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office to close this case and allow Roman to come back to the States (if he even wants to at this point in time)? Isn't there a statute of limitations that's been overlooked here that could clear the way for Roman to freely travel the world without fear of arrest for something that happened over 30 years ago? (Murderers have an easier time of the "justice" system than anyone who has been accused of a sex crime in this country).
Now, everyone (especially the American media), here's your homework: It's seriously time to move on (Mrs. Geimer publicly forgave Roman, so who is anyone else?). Leave Roman alone, let him live his life, and focus more on his work and his present than continue to rehash two very tragic and unfortunate events in his life that happened in 1969 and 1977. - Donna Di Giacomo
Summary of Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Genre: Documentary
Rating: NR
Release Date: 27-JAN-2009
Media Type: DVD
When Polanski?s defense attorney says midway through this film that he "isn?t surprised Polanski left under the circumstances" surrounding this corrupted court case, one really begins to understand why the director has not returned to America in nearly 20 years. Wanted and Desired, Marina Zenovich?s documentary about Polanski?s 1977 arrest for rape of a minor set facts straight about a case that was blown to ridiculous proportions by a sensationalistic press and a judge who was far from judicious. Comprised of interviews with producers and friends Andrew Braunsberg, Daniel Melnick, Mia Farrow, and many others, the film obviously sympathizes with Polanski. But ample interviews with D.A. Roger Gunson and defense attorney, Douglas Dalton, lend factual credence to the film?s assertion that the director was not guilty as charged and further, shows how separate public image and the real person are. Wanted and Desired covers the tragic loss of his wife, Sharon Tate, only to preface the court case and Polanski?s departing the country as a result. Short clips from many of his fine films are interspersed to poignant effect between interview clips, to show how his public image has been wrongly writ based on his films? dark subject matter. Polanski?s lack of participation in the film, then, seems not like his condemnation of its making, but rather in keeping with his desire to avoid press in general. At best, Wanted and Desired may serve as a further invitation to the brilliant director, who has been living in France for almost 20 years with a wife and two children, to someday return to America. ?Trinie Dalton
Similar DVD Movies
Tess (Special Edition)N/A; Release date: 2004-09-28; DVD
Best price: $44.22
FranticWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $2.42
Price in other shops:
Cul-de-sac (Criterion Collection)IMG; Release date: 2011-08-16; DVD
Best price: $17.09
Price in other shops:
Chinatown (Special Collector's Edition)PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $19.50
The PianistNBC Universal; Release date: 2006-08-22; DVD
Best price: $7.23
Price in other shops:
RepulsionKOC; Release date: 2005-02-08; DVD
Best price: $9.67
Price in other shops:
The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me but Your Teeth Are in My NeckWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-10-05; DVD
Best price: $10.20
Price in other shops:
The Ghost WriterSUM; Release date: 2010-08-03; DVD
Best price: $3.84
Price in other shops:
The Ninth GateLions Gate; Release date: 2007-05-22; DVD
Best price: $4.15
Price in other shops:
Rosemary's BabyFARROW,MIA; Release date: 2000-10-03; DVD
Best price: $23.00