5 Stunning Roman Polanski Films on Satellite TV
Today, when someone hears the name Roman Polanski, it's likely the first thought will be scandal and/or a pending court case.
Decades ago, he was merely a promising filmmaker with a brilliant career before him.
What happened in between? Looking through the work of Roman Polanski on satellite TV networks, you will see the reason he became in such high demand in Hollywood, and what type of career was put in jeopardy.
These five films show Roman Polanski at his best.
1.
Knife in the Water.
Still working in Poland at the time this film was made, Polanski's early work had a clarity and a starkness which came up again and again later on.
A wealthy couple about to go on a sailing trip picks up a rugged drifter and decides to use him as a deckhand.
As we've seen before, good things usually don't happen when a third man comes between a couple and there is no other way to avoid it, as at sea.
Watch Polanski's great early film in high definition on the Turner Classic Movie Network.
2.
Rosemary's Baby.
Polanski did his fair share of horror pictures over the years, but Rosemary's Baby is the type of film legends are made of.
Mia Farrow and John Cassavettes star in this picture about the wrong sort of child coming into the wrong couple's arms.
Polanski showed a facility with this difficult subject matter and didn't shy away when things got really scary.
See this film uncut on HBO HD networks.
3.
Chinatown.
Set in 1930s L.
A.
and shot in the '70s with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, Polanski's homage to classic film noir is a brilliant, original film in its own right.
The script by Robert Towne may have been the biggest star of all, but Nicholson is certainly at his best in this picture, mugging all along the way as sleazy Jake Gittes, private investigator.
The scene where he tells the joke he heard at the barber shop is unforgettable.
Robert Osborne is happy to introduce this picture on TCM.
4.
The Tenant.
Once Polanski left Hollywood following his scandal, he had to go to Europe and make films with less than steady support.
To save money, he stars in this picture himself, though some would say to great effect.
A quiet, unassuming man moves into an apartment building in Paris, only to discover that everyone is trying to get him to commit suicide.
After all, that is exactly what the last tenant did.
The Tenant is black comedy at its darkest and is featured on the Independent Film Channel in HD.
5.
The Pianist.
In many ways the comeback Polanski film, he tells the story of a classical pianist trying to escape Nazi persecution and sure death as the Germans take over Poland.
Some have called it his most personal film and it is a stirring picture from reel to reel.
Best Actor Oscar went to Adrien Brody.
Satellite TV premium networks continue to showcase this modern classic.
Decades ago, he was merely a promising filmmaker with a brilliant career before him.
What happened in between? Looking through the work of Roman Polanski on satellite TV networks, you will see the reason he became in such high demand in Hollywood, and what type of career was put in jeopardy.
These five films show Roman Polanski at his best.
1.
Knife in the Water.
Still working in Poland at the time this film was made, Polanski's early work had a clarity and a starkness which came up again and again later on.
A wealthy couple about to go on a sailing trip picks up a rugged drifter and decides to use him as a deckhand.
As we've seen before, good things usually don't happen when a third man comes between a couple and there is no other way to avoid it, as at sea.
Watch Polanski's great early film in high definition on the Turner Classic Movie Network.
2.
Rosemary's Baby.
Polanski did his fair share of horror pictures over the years, but Rosemary's Baby is the type of film legends are made of.
Mia Farrow and John Cassavettes star in this picture about the wrong sort of child coming into the wrong couple's arms.
Polanski showed a facility with this difficult subject matter and didn't shy away when things got really scary.
See this film uncut on HBO HD networks.
3.
Chinatown.
Set in 1930s L.
A.
and shot in the '70s with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, Polanski's homage to classic film noir is a brilliant, original film in its own right.
The script by Robert Towne may have been the biggest star of all, but Nicholson is certainly at his best in this picture, mugging all along the way as sleazy Jake Gittes, private investigator.
The scene where he tells the joke he heard at the barber shop is unforgettable.
Robert Osborne is happy to introduce this picture on TCM.
4.
The Tenant.
Once Polanski left Hollywood following his scandal, he had to go to Europe and make films with less than steady support.
To save money, he stars in this picture himself, though some would say to great effect.
A quiet, unassuming man moves into an apartment building in Paris, only to discover that everyone is trying to get him to commit suicide.
After all, that is exactly what the last tenant did.
The Tenant is black comedy at its darkest and is featured on the Independent Film Channel in HD.
5.
The Pianist.
In many ways the comeback Polanski film, he tells the story of a classical pianist trying to escape Nazi persecution and sure death as the Germans take over Poland.
Some have called it his most personal film and it is a stirring picture from reel to reel.
Best Actor Oscar went to Adrien Brody.
Satellite TV premium networks continue to showcase this modern classic.