The Sheltering Sky (1990)

 

Bernardo Bertolucci's adaptation of Paul Bowles' novel gets a UK Blu-ray release in a 1080p HD presentation courtesy of Arrow Films.

Algeria in the late 1940s. Kit Moresby (Debra Winger) and her husband Port (John Malkovich) arrive with the intention of travelling, rather than being tourists. The latter is thinking of home as soon as they arrive, Kit says, whereas the former may never go home.

As they journey from town to town and eventually into the desert, it becomes clear that something has happened back at home that has left deep scars, but exactly what is never explained. They encounter others who may be escaping something, too -  an English woman (Jill Bennett) and her creepy son Eric (Timothy Spall). Eventually tragedy strikes and it becomes obvious that things can never again return to what the Powers seem to be desperately seeking.

Stunningly photographed by Vittorio Storaro and with sensitive acting and directing, THE SHELTERING SKY is never less than a feast for the eyes while all the time the viewer is wondering exactly what's going on, or rather what has been going on for this strange couple to have come all this way to embark on what feels like aimless wandering. The film bears comparison to another literary adaptation from 1990, Paul Schrader's film of Ian McEwan's THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS, both in its 'strange posh people abroad' plot and the sense of mounting dread that ensues. But there's also elements of the 'Up the Creek Without a Paddle' subgenre here too. As the Moresby's move further into the desert you get the feeling they're getting closer to their own Heart of Darkness. As well as this being reminiscent of Coppola's APOCALYPSE NOW, all the luggage they insist on bringing with them to their (possible) doom is evocative of Herzog's AGUIRRE, WRATH OF GOD. 

Arrow's disc comes with a ported over commentary track from Bertolucci, producer Jeremy Thomas and screenwriter Mark Peploe and there's a 47 minute archival featurette on the making of the film plus ten minutes of archival cast interviews. New materials include a video essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson and a new interview with art director Andrew Sanders. You also get an image gallery, trailer and reversible sleeve. The first pressing comes with a booklet with new writing on the film from Kat Ellinger.

Bernardo Bertolucci's THE SHELTERING SKY is on on Blu-ray from Arrow Films on Monday 2nd November 2020