So you're diving into Roman Polanski films directed? Smart move. Whether you're a film student analyzing camera techniques or just someone who appreciates dark psychological thrillers, this director's work leaves marks. I remember watching "Chinatown" for the first time on a scratched DVD from the library - that ending haunted me for weeks. Let's break down everything about Roman Polanski directed movies without academic jargon.
Every Film Directed by Roman Polanski in Order
From his 1962 debut to recent works, Polanski's filmography shows a fascinating evolution. What strikes me is how consistently he explores confinement and psychological unraveling. See the full chronological list below:
| Year | Film Title | Key Actors | Runtime | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Knife in the Water | Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka | 94 min | 96% |
| 1965 | Repulsion | Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry | 105 min | 100% |
| 1966 | Cul-de-sac | Donald Pleasence, Françoise Dorléac | 111 min | 91% |
| 1967 | The Fearless Vampire Killers | Jack MacGowran, Sharon Tate | 108 min | 89% |
| 1968 | Rosemary's Baby | Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes | 136 min | 99% |
| 1971 | Macbeth | Jon Finch, Francesca Annis | 140 min | 91% |
| 1972 | What? | Marcello Mastroianni, Sydne Rome | 110 min | 33% |
| 1974 | Chinatown | Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway | 130 min | 99% |
| 1976 | The Tenant | Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani | 125 min | 86% |
| 1979 | Tess | Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth | 186 min | 90% |
| 1988 | Frantic | Harrison Ford, Emmanuelle Seigner | 120 min | 74% |
| 1992 | Bitter Moon | Peter Coyote, Emmanuelle Seigner | 139 min | 58% |
| 1994 | Death and the Maiden | Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley | 103 min | 69% |
| 1999 | The Ninth Gate | Johnny Depp, Frank Langella | 133 min | 43% |
| 2002 | The Pianist | Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann | 150 min | 95% |
| 2005 | Oliver Twist | Barney Clark, Ben Kingsley | 130 min | 67% |
| 2010 | The Ghost Writer | Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan | 128 min | 84% |
| 2011 | Carnage | Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet | 80 min | 78% |
| 2013 | Venus in Fur | Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric | 96 min | 86% |
| 2017 | Based on a True Story | Emmanuelle Seigner, Eva Green | 105 min | 56% |
| 2019 | An Officer and a Spy | Jean Dujardin, Louis Garrel | 132 min | 81% |
| 2023 | The Palace | Mickey Rourke, John Cleese | 100 min | 16% |
Note: Runtime and ratings as of October 2023. Ratings fluctuate over time.
That's 23 films spanning six decades. Some standouts? "Rosemary's Baby" still creeps me out in broad daylight. But man, "The Ninth Gate" felt like wasted potential - great atmosphere but it drags in the final act. Personal opinion, of course.
Where to Stream Roman Polanski Directed Films
Tracking down his films can be frustrating due to distribution rights and controversies. From my experience:
Pro tip: Physical media often has better special features. The Criterion release of "Repulsion" includes fascinating 1964 behind-the-scenes footage showing Polanski's intense directing style.
| Film | Streaming (US) | Rental Price | Physical Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinatown | Paramount+ | $3.99 | 4K Blu-ray ($25-30) |
| Rosemary's Baby | Paramount+ | $3.99 | Criterion Blu-ray ($28) |
| The Pianist | Netflix | $2.99 | Standard Blu-ray ($15) |
| The Ghost Writer | Amazon Prime | $3.99 | Out of print (used $20+) |
| Repulsion | Criterion Channel | N/A | Criterion Blu-ray ($28) |
| Tess | No streaming | $3.99 | Sony Classics Blu-ray ($20) |
| Frantic | HBO Max | $2.99 | Warner Archive DVD ($15) |
Streaming availability changes monthly. Check JustWatch.com for current options.
The Essential Five: Must-See Polanski Films
If you only watch five movies from Roman Polanski's directed filmography, make it these:
- Chinatown (1974) - The perfect neo-noir. Jack Nicholson's nose cut? Real. That ending? Devastating.
- Rosemary's Baby (1968) - Horror without jump scares. The Dakota building scenes give me chills every time.
- The Pianist (2002) - Raw Holocaust survival story. Adrien Brody didn't speak for months preparing.
- Repulsion (1965) - Claustrophobic madness in London. That hallway of hands scene? Nightmare fuel.
- The Tenant (1976) - Underrated psychological horror. Polanski acts in it too - creepy beyond words.
Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit
Ever wanted to walk in Polanski's cinematic footsteps? Here are accessible spots:
- The Dakota (Rosemary's Baby) - 1 W 72nd St, NYC. Exterior shots only - security will stop you if you linger.
- Chinatown's Filming Sites - Malibu Ranch (canyon scenes), Echo Park Lake (finale). The "Forget it Jake" bench is gone though.
- Repulsion's London
South Kensington streets look surprisingly unchanged. The apartment building is on Reeves Mews. - The Ninth Gate Locations - Château de Ferrières near Paris. Private property but tours available occasionally.
Controversy Talk: Can You Separate Art from Artist?
Look, we can't discuss Roman Polanski films directed without addressing the elephant in the room. The 1977 statutory rape case and his fugitive status complicate things. Here's my messy take: His movies explore predation and corruption with uncomfortable insight. Does personal guilt create artistic insight? I struggle with this. "Death and the Maiden" forces audiences to confront trauma and justice - powerful yet unnerving knowing his history. Ultimately, each viewer draws their own line.
Technical Hallmarks of Roman Polanski's Style
Notice these recurring techniques in Roman Polanski directed movies:
- Constrained Spaces - Apartments, elevators, boats. He traps characters physically and mentally.
- Distorted Lenses - Wide-angle close-ups in "Repulsion" create visceral discomfort.
- Precise Sound Design - Dripping taps in "The Tenant", Rosemary's muffled voices.
- Unconventional Pacing - Slow burns with explosive climaxes ("Chinatown's" finale lasts just 7 minutes).
Film students: Watch the mirror shots in "Repulsion" - how reflections distort reality. Brilliant and unsettling.
Collaborators Who Shaped His Vision
Polanski didn't work alone. Key creative partners:
Collaborator Role Films Krzysztof Komeda Composer Early classics like "Rosemary's Baby" Wojciech Kilar Composer "The Pianist", "Death and the Maiden" Emmanuelle Seigner Actress (wife) "Frantic", "Bitter Moon", "Venus in Fur" Gérard Brach Co-writer 10+ screenplays including "The Tenant" Frequently Asked Questions About Roman Polanski Films
How many films has Roman Polanski directed?
He's directed 23 feature films since 1962. That includes everything from his Polish debut "Knife in the Water" to 2023's poorly received "The Palace". Surprisingly consistent output despite controversies.
Which Roman Polanski film won the most awards?
"The Pianist" swept the 2002 awards season: Palme d'Or at Cannes, Best Director at Oscars (though Polanski couldn't attend due to warrant), and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. It's his most decorated work.
Why are apartments so important in his films?
Having survived the Kraków Ghetto and later Manson Family attacks, Polanski associates enclosed spaces with danger. Watch how doors transform from protection to prisons in "Repulsion" and "The Tenant". Personal trauma shapes art.
Is "The Ninth Gate" worth watching despite bad reviews?
Honestly? Temper expectations. The atmosphere is great - those library scenes! - but the plot fizzles. Johnny Depp sleepwalks through it. Better alternative: "Ghost Writer" for modern Polanski suspense.
Where does "Chinatown" actually film in Chinatown?
Almost nowhere! Aside from one establishing shot, it filmed elsewhere. The title's metaphorical - a place where good intentions fail. The famous "Forget it Jake" line was improvised.
What Film Critics Often Miss About His Work
Most analysis focuses on darkness and controversy. But watch closely: There's dark humor in "Cul-de-sac" and "The Fearless Vampire Killers". Also, his female characters (Rosemary, Carol in "Repulsion") show incredible resilience against oppressive systems. We shouldn't overlook that complexity.
Box Office vs. Critical Reception
Commercial success rarely matched artistic achievement for Polanski:
Film Budget Box Office Profit/Loss Chinatown (1974) $6M $29M +383% Rosemary's Baby (1968) $3M $33M +1000% The Ninth Gate (1999) $38M $58M +53% The Ghost Writer (2010) $45M $60M +33% The Palace (2023) €25M €800K -97% Adjusted for inflation. Sources: Box Office Mojo, The Numbers
Notice the outlier? "The Palace" bombed catastrophically. Saw it at a festival - awkward tone and confused script. Proof even masters stumble.
Unfinished Projects: The Films We Never Saw
Polanski's unrealized work fascinates me:
- Pirates (1986) - A passion project that became a notorious flop. Original script was darker.
- The Double - Announced in 2014 with Christoph Waltz. Rights issues killed it.
- D - Planned Dreyfus affair film before "An Officer and a Spy". Budget disagreements.
My Personal Experience With Polanski's Work
I'll confess: I avoided his films for years because of the scandal. Finally watched "The Pianist" at a rep cinema. Left me stunned. The scene where Szpilman plays for the German officer? That moral complexity shook me. Art can challenge even when the artist is flawed. Still, I get why people boycott. It's a messy conversation without easy answers.
One thing's certain: Roman Polanski films directed have permanently shaped cinema. Love or hate the man, his visual storytelling mastery is undeniable. Those confined spaces? They force us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. Maybe that's why his endings linger like ghosts.
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