Total Recall: Roman Polanski's Best Movies

Summary

For more than 40 years, on screen and off, no one has been able to unnerve audiences with quite as much panache as Roman Polanski -- or rack up as many critical raves in the process. The esteemed director has certainly released a few poorly received films (see 1986's Pirates -- or, better yet, don't), but even his worst reviews pale in comparison with the personal tragedies and legal problems that have overshadowed his career for the last several decades -- most notably the 1969 murder of his wife Sharon Tate and the 1977 sexual assault case that sent Polanski fleeing to Europe in order to escape the American legal system. Still, it's hard to overstate Polanski's significance in the film world, and with his latest effort, The Ghost Writer, currently earning appreciative nods from top scribes, we thought now would be a great time to survey the Polanski filmography Total Recall style. What are his ten best-reviewed films? Read on to find out! Back to Article

Comments

Brandon M.

Brandon Mistler

While what he did most people think the girl wanting people to drop the matter and leave him alone is beyond stupid, your clouding your "judgement" of a movie based on his life. Fact people arent remembering is he might be sent to the US to stand trial anyway, he got caught recently and more than likely will pay for what he's done.

That said Chinatown is one of the best directed films ive seen and my second favorite Jack Nicholson film.

Feb 27 - 05:10 PM

bob s.

bob smith


I sense a lot of Christian intolerance here towards Polanski--that is, Christians who are not tolerant but should be considering they are Christian.

Well, here's something for your judgers to put in your pipe and smoke. Mother Mary was 13 when she became pregnant with Jesus. It's the truth, so don't go flaming me about it.

Here's a summary of Polanski's life. Polanski escaped from a Jewish prison camp at age 3 and lived in the sewers from age 3 to 6. His family all died there. His pregnant wife was murdered by Manson. He pled guilty only because there was a plea bargain that a judge seeking re-election later unethically ignored. The former prosecutor of the case even says the judge acted unethically by doing this. Even the victim says Polanski shouldn't be imprisoned and that the case should be dropped.

Now if God is just fine in what HE did, and Polanski--with all those extenuating circumstances--should rot in jail, then you judgmental jerks have lost all connection to logic.

Feb 27 - 10:55 PM

Don H.

Don Heckers

I believe in God , and I believe in the good nature of people.
I Dare to risk my freedom by saying that Roman Polanski should
be released and if he ever has sex with another minor I GO TO
PRISON instead of him.
That's HOW CONVINCED I AM that Roman Polanski won't do-it again.
Not in a million years.
So let him go home.
Case over !!!

Feb 28 - 12:44 AM

Don H.

Don Heckers

Everybody who likes Roman Polanski's films (or some of them) has their own
favorites.
I dislike most of all blockbusters like "TITANIC" or "STAR WARS" or other
box-office supersmash hitfilms.
That's why even in Polanski's case my number 1 Polanski-film is not one of
bigger hits , but "THE TENANT" with Roman Polanski starring and Isabelle
Adjani as a close friend.
Remarkable is that this movie came out only months before the biggest mistake
of his life , the rape case.
THE TENANT was released in 1976 but i've never seen it in the cinema until
later this year when Holland celebrates "40 years Polanski".
I'm gonna watch all the Polanski-films they bring to the big screen.
I don't care how much money i have to spend , i can hardly wait for this
summer.

Mar 1 - 10:39 AM

Ben F.

Ben Ferguson

"The Ghost Writer" is superb. Polanski shows that stillness enhances suspense.

Mar 28 - 09:17 PM

Scotty P.

Scott P

Great films.

Jun 2 - 06:33 PM

simon m.

simon modica

Good list. Chinatown is his best.

Aug 1 - 01:35 PM

SB

Simona Batakyte

No Chinatown?

Aug 1 - 10:08 PM

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