back to browsing

The Ninth Gate [DVD] [Widescreen] [Multilingual] [Region 1]

1 disc
Region 1 USA/CA (info)

Based on a novel by Arturo Prez-Reverte (THE CLUB DUMAS) and coscripted by director Roman Polanski, THE NINTH GATE was Polanski's first feature after a long break following the release of 1995's DEATH AND THE MAIDEN--in between, there was an aborted project that faltered when designated star John Travolta opted out. Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is a cynical rare books dealer hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella), a scholar specializing in books on Satanism, to recover the only two remaining copies (in addition to the one owned by Balkan) of THE NINE GATES OF THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS, a 17th-century text with cryptic illustrations supposedly contributed by Lucifer himself. Corso's investigation takes him to Europe, where he is pursued by a strange girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) who seemes to assume the role of his guardian angel: Bizarre deaths inspired by the book's morbid illustrations befall all those who come into contact with the book--except himself. This occult mystery should satisfy fans of subtly creepy, stylish tales of the supernatural along the lines of Polanski's own ROSEMARY'S BABY.
Read More...
- Rating - Some violence and sexuality.
Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 60747
Credits

Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner, Barbara Jefford, Jose Lopez Rodero, James Russo
Critic Reviews

"...A sardonic detective thriller peppered with carefully crafted pleasures..."
Variety
"...Depp's performance is a consistent delight..."
Movieline's Hollywood Life
"...A lot of lowbrow fun....[Depp performs] with real panache..." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental
Premiere
"...Polanski remains a supreme technician....The film is intricately well-made....THE NINTH GATE is generously spiced with humorous detail..."
Sight and Sound
"...Engaging and well-executed....Johnny Depp excels in character roles..."
Box Office
"...THE NINTH GATE is well-crafted with a genteel and moody air....Polanski has concentrated on the subdued and the spooky. And he's thrown in some bizarre acting touches..."
Los Angeles Times
"...With its fiery, over-the-top spectacle and bolts of black humor, THE NINTH GATE is actually more in the spirit of VAMPIRE KILLERS than ROSEMARY'S BABY....Lena Olin is the ultimate cat woman..."
Chicago Sun-Times