Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer (DVD)

One of the best films I have seen in recent years - but I could easily understand how many would dislike it. This is not your every day Hollywood output. They said that the book could never be made into a film - because the subject matter is all about the sesne of smell. I had not read the book - but did so on the strength of the film. For me the film exceeds the book - but if I'd read the book first I may not have thought so. Intelligent, challenging, well made and very different.

Great film, a strange dark fairy tale, the central character, the murderer is oddly animalistic and naive in an other worldly sense, you almost want to sympathise with his deranged plan. John Hurt offers beautiful narration. Made me want to read the book, to which the film is quite faithful and well worth the read also.

I bought it because I had read a review that said it was beutiful and very moving film

I found the dvd very strange I thought the person was heartless towards his victims and had no idea that what he was doing was so wrong. I wanted him to get punished for his crimes
I would not watch it again I will give it away to one of my daughters they may enjoy it more than I did

Dark unusual but keeps you hooked in the storyline
fantastic performances from all.
a must for murder twist fans....

This film is extremely odd as it is based upon a sense you can't have with cinema (at the moment!) - smell. Having read the book I was keen to see how the film portrayed the main character - whilst you do have sympathy for his plight (unwanted child, orphanage, tannery - no love) you find yourself swaying between repugnance and sadness as the story develops. The world of perfume and society from turn of the century are well portrayed and you find yourself wanting to discover if the main character is "found out" for all his evil activities. There is some humour as individuals who have betrayed or belittled him find interesting "ends" but mainly it is a bleak film. With regard to the end, there is a crescendo in the main square but the final ending was disappointing as it left so much unanswered. If you have a good bottle of wine and want an eery, different film to watch, this is one for you!

I liked this DVD because of the amazing photography, the music and the feel of the period which the film invoked.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille survived against all odds to grow up possessing a unique sense of smell. He learnt to perfect his skills from an established perfumier, Baldini, for whom he made beautiful perfumes. Baldini taught him the technical skills of perfumery. Grenouille soon learnt that to obtain his perfect scent there was a great price to pay.

One day he could smell a wonderful scent and he walked and walked through the town until he found the source of it. It was a beautiful young girl carrying fruit. He followed her back and watched her preparing the fruit and went to touch her; she screamed so he strangled her, then took her essence back to Baldini's.

To gain further experience and to complete his task for the perfect perfume, he travelled to Grasse, where the finest perfumes were made. During his time there he killed other young girls & obtained their essence but the ultimate number was yet to be reached - and he had seen the young girl whose essence was to perfect his perfume. Despite her father removing her from the town, Grenouille managed to find her and kill her.

He was eventually caught when the dog of one of the girls found her clothes and her hair buried. The hair of the others was soon found. Grenouille was sent for trial with the whole town looking on, but had managed to bring with him a vial of the perfume. He put drops on his handkerchief, shook it and soon the whole of the court were under his control. He was forgiven, despite his guilt as the people were lulled by this wonderful scent into thinking that this man couldn't possibly have murdered all these young girls.

Grenouille eventually returned to Paris, walking through the streets, where he met with his end in a violent, repulsive and totally unexpected way. A very strange end to an unusual film.

I read the book in English and wanted to see the film as I had read about it in the press. The film left out some of the story but not enough to disappoint readers. Of course, the DVD version on my normal TV screen couldn't compare with the cinema version with the larger than life screen & sound. Of course there are things in the film version that aren't in the book, but all go to make the film in the producer's opinion more exciting and gruesome.

It's not everyone's taste but for the photography & sound alone, well worth a watch.

Talk about a great ending - I was emotionally drained as the plot unfolded, this has to be one of the best!

It was a very good thriller, and knowing it was a true story made it more interesting, it was a little bit gorey at times and is quite along story but was still enjoyed , it is highly recommended.