I thought that about Vargas keeping his books on the floor, too. In the country, especially, mice and bugs will get everywhere because they live in hordes just outside your door. By keeping them on the floor, the books are vulnerable to everything that ever comes into the house. I would be amazed if he could keep the many, many paper-eating beetles and other bugs from damaging those precious volumes. I just checked my bookcase of antique books a couple of weeks ago, and something had eaten holes through an entire series on one shelf.

Thank you for doing this long commentary, have always loved this movie and enjoy listening to other people’s thoughts on all the little details.

1) When Corso is surprised early in the movie, he says things like "Jesus Christ!" Later, he'll start to say things like "I'll be damned."

2) When he's on the train and he sees the Girl, asks her name and she says "Guess," it always makes me think of "Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name." (The Rolling Stones, "Sympathy for the Devil") A bit of a stretch, perhaps,  but given Polanski's age and cultural history, I'm sure he was familiar with the song.

Edits: 1) When Corso goes back to Toledo, the music is the credit music from the beginning, when all the doors/gates were opening.

2) Thanks for doing this. Very interesting. Have you heard Polanski's commentary from the DVD? He mentions that he selected Frank Langella because he knew how effective his voice could be, since mostly he'd just be a voice. (Polanski drinks wine throughout the commentary, though not as much as Corso drinks throughout the picture. 🙂 )

AHHH, I will enjoy listening to this. Good timing!!!

I have looking forward to doing this for a long time. Today is finally that day! Getting started now.

I thought that the baroness probably lived in that suite. As you point out, she's pretty well stuck there. Even if she got out of the building, Paris is very unfriendly for the handicapped.  No wheelchair accessibility. If you can't deal with the steps, too bad for you. I've noticed that street footage of old European cities like Paris and Rome garner comments about how fit everyone is. The reason is that if you aren't fit, you don't go out much.

Here it is...

Great commentary. Thank you. Please do more of these please. Angel heart, maybe?

Like how while doing the ritual, Balken mentions people have been "disemboweled for getting a glimpse", then when Corso falls through the floor to below you see blood stains on the walls and perhaps evidence of previous attempts....creepy

I was just watching this movie today and noticed at the scuffle scene between Balkin and Tulfer on the bed and apparently there’s a string attached to a podium, and in the scuffle someone pulls it thus knocking over the podium

Awesome forgotten about genious of a film!

great movie, one of the best ever in its genré

Yesss

Fantastic commentary my friend. I really enjoyed watching the movie while listening. I can't tell you how many times I've watched this movie but I know its more than 30. I love to watch it because for me it has the perfect blend of modern crime noir, weird occult investigation, world travel, and murder mystery and it's by far one of Johnny Depp's best characters and finest performances. The cast is perfect, the locations are exciting, the pacing is good, and the script is wonderfully written with nicely understated dialogue. I don't have any complaints about this film except for the lighting, I find it rather flat and muddy. Everything and everyone looks like they've been filmed through a beige filter. I think they missed the opportunity to use a subtle  modern version of the classical crime noir style of lighting which might have served the film much better.

Stairway to heaven, elevator to hell. One must toil for paradise and for ascension, but maybe also for the infernal.

Absolutely enjoyed your commentary, thank you so much. I've muxed it as a separate audio track on my MKV file (taken from my copy of the film I purchased) your commentary is now on there with Roman Polanski's. I'd love to hear you do a commentary for Angel Heart.

Wow you actually done it! Thx!

Heh. Thanks.

BRAVO!!! Balkan's passcode is 666. BTW the girl is actually Polanski's wife.

Shell oil is definitely significant. In a "shell company" sort of way. And the sea shell of course is very esoteric and might allude to the sect to which they pray. There is a lot of fish symbolism I thought. Very Christian....or is it? Dun dun DUUUN!