Having studied the films of Roman Polanski thoroughly in the early 70's while taking a ground breaking GCSE O'Level in Film Study, I was lucky enough to take in the early works including Two Men and a Wardrobe. The film starts with the arrival of the two men from the sea as if joining a closed community from the outside world. Along with them they carry their burden, the wardrobe. The film documents their inability to be accepted into a society who's prejudices come to the fore as they are turned away from cafes and shops and eventually leave the society that shuns them. The wardrobe is symbolic of all societies shortcomings, whether it's sexism, homophobia, racism or plain class distinction. This is Polanski's first film and sets his stall out for a career which never hides from controversy, which includes the mock horror of Dance of the Vampires to Repulsion and the brilliant Cul de Sac. His crossing of genres take him past Shakespeare's Macbeth and Hardy's Tess, but most ardent fans return to the earlier work. Any one who enjoys Two men and a wardrobe should search out Knife In The Water before they return to his Hollywood days.
Review of Two Men and a Wardrobe
