Sebastiane Blu-Ray

Jarmans first feature film, directed together with Paul Humfress, depicts the controversial, sensual and sexualised story of the Praetorian Guard from the 4th century, whose human kindness leads to humiliation and martyrdom.

The heat of the Sardinian desert is powerfully captured on film – both actors and film crew go through their roles and sweat in Herzog style, while Brian Eno's distinctly moving music beautifully complements the fantastic image composition and stunning slow-motion photography.

Sebastiane is a delightful tribute to the real, living, breathing male body and is presented here in a new digital version remastered from the original negative by the BFI National Archive.

Special features:

Jazz calendar (1968, 36 min): film clips from the Royal Ballet's rehearsals with set design and costumes by Derek Jarman

Sebastiane: A Work in Progress (c1976, 62 min): an incomplete, black-and-white, subtitle-free version of an ongoing project with alternative music

The Making of Sebastiane (1975, 25 min): Super 8 documentary about the filming, shot by the film's sound assistant Hugh Smith and Jarman himself.

John Scarlett-Davis Remembers Sebastiane (2018, 7 min): artist and filmmaker John Scarlett-Davis recounts his experiences from the filming of Sebastiane.

Fully illustrated brochure with texts by William Fowler and complete film credits.

Subtitles: English