1694, a young artist is commissioned by the wife of a wealthy landowner to make a series of drawings of the estate while her husband is away. The pair begin a series of trysts. When the husband’s body is discovered, mysterious clues in the drawings point to the identity of the killer.
This witty, stylised and erotic country-house murder mystery established Greenaway as a director of international status. Extravagant costumes, a twisting plot, elegantly barbed dialogue and a mesmerising score by Michael Nyman make the film a treat for ear, eye and mind.