Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber are proud to present two of Peter Greenaway’s crowning achievements in this captivating two-disc set.

A Zed & Two Noughts (1985) is Peter Greenaway’s beautifully disturbing and darkly humorous take on erotic obsession and death. In a horrific automobile-swan accident in front of the Rotterdam Zoo, two women die and a third, Alba (Andrea Ferréol), loses her leg. The two widowers, twin zoologists Oliver and Oswald (Eric and Brian Deacon, in roles originally offered to the Quay Brothers), fixate on their wives’ bodies, and slowly become obsessed with evolution and decomposition—even going as far as to meticulously craft exquisitely morbid time-lapsed films of decaying creatures. The plot thickens when a mad surgeon schemes to use Alba as a subject in his experiments with animal symmetry and Vermeer homage. Full of surprises and magnificent conundrums, A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS is a perversely comic and teasing treat for the mind and senses.

The Falls (1980) is arguably the most significant film of Peter Greenaway’s prolific career. Shot as a pseudo-documentary, this magnum opus dazzlingly details 92 case histories of people who have been affected by the VUE (Violent Unknown Event)—a mysterious, apocalyptic phenomenon related to birds, flying, and bizarre invented languages.

For thoughts on A Zed & Two Noughts & The Falls: Two Films By Peter Greenaway, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

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Video Quality

A Zed & Two Noughts & The Falls come to Blu-Ray on two separate discs with a new digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in their original aspect ratios derived from a restoration conducted by the BFI National Archive. Both restorations look really striking and impressive throughout, but The Falls does feel at least a little bit constrained by its source and its additional years in age. A Zed & Two Noughts is quite a sight with not much in the way of even minor specks of print damage present as overall clarity and detail is impressive. This film especially is packed with tiny details in the production design that are immensely clear in its transfer. The Falls suffers a fair amount of specks, but even it does not provide anything that would ruin the enjoyment of the viewing.

Black levels are formidable on both accounts with prominent detail in shadows and no crush or banding in sight. Digital noise is also of no concern across these features. Some of the interstitials with The Falls can feel slightly less homogenous due to how the film is constructed, but it provides a pretty consistent experience. Colors are pleasantly saturated when it comes to distinct pieces of clothing, the production design and the natural environment. This new set is a beauty and provides these films with an ideal video presentation. Zeitgeist Films should be commended with the way they handled these efforts.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with an agreeable DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track which captures these films pretty well. Both films have memorable scores, but The Falls can run a touch more abrasive in the quick transitions between subjects as the upper registers can sound a bit piercing. For the most part, though, the music within these features maintain a fine fidelity. Environmental sounds such as wildlife are rendered deftly alongside everything else. There are no egregious instances of age-related wear and tear that we spotted. Dialogue is given prominence here which emanates from the center channel without being pummeled by competing sounds. The track maintains a good balance with all competing elements so that exchanges come through clearly. This audio presentation does a nice job of giving both of these films life. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.

Special Features

A Zed & Two Noughts

Audio Commentary: Director Peter Greenaway provides a really informative commentary track in which he discusses acclimating the audience to his style of narrative, how his films are essentially a part of a large whole film, the layers of the title, the themes being explored, the nuances of the narrative and production design and much more.

Peter Greenaway Video Introduction: A seven-minute archival piece in which the director discusses the pressure put on this film as his follow up to The Draughtsman’s Contract, the fascination with twins, the multiple films included within this one and more.

Six “Decay” Sequences: A five-and-a-half minute selection of extended sequences of the decaying process shown in the film.

Peter Greenaway Short Films: A selection of early efforts from Greenaway are provided here which are each entertaining in their own way.

- H For House (1976) (9:14)

- A Walk Through H (1978) (42:14)

Theatrical Trailer: A three-minute trailer is provided here.

The Falls

Vertical Features Remake (1978): A 44-minute short film from Peter Greenaway which takes on a bit of a meta aspect as it involves a fictional institute trying to assemble some footage into a short film.

Peter Greenaway On The Falls: A two-minute archival piece in which the director discusses the ideas behind this film and what you begin to understand about the material by the end of the experience.

Peter Greenaway On Vertical Features Remake: A three-minute archival piece in which the director discusses how this film uses his fascination with painting to create something with the moving image in a non-narrative manner.

Final Thoughts

A Zed & Two Noughts & The Falls are quite a pair of films from the sly and inventive Peter Greenaway. Both of these features are challenging in their own way, but they also prove to be a good gauge of whether you are up for being a Peter Greenaway fan. There is so much to dig through in each effort with a very specific onslaught of humor and social commentary flowing out of them. If you watch these and appreciate them, you will probably be a fan of the auteur for life. Zeitgeist Films and Kino Classics have delivered a Blu-Ray with a really swell A/V presentation and a great selection of special features. Recommended

A Zed & Two Noughts & The Falls: Two Films By Peter Greenaway is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.