Diary of a Mad Housewife

Superbly directed by Frank Perry (The Swimmer, Play It as It Lays), with a scathing screenplay by Eleanor Perry (David and Lisa, Ladybug Ladybug), Diary of a Mad Housewife tells the story of Tina Balser (Carrie Snodgress, The Fury, Pale Rider) a frustrated housewife trapped in an unhappy marriage to an insufferably controlling, status-obsessed bore (Richard Benjamin, Catch-22). Tina seeks solace in a fling with an abusive lover, the arrogant writer Georg Prager (Frank Langella, Dracula), who treats her like a sex object, leading to therapy and further unhappiness.

A caustic deconstruction of male chauvinism, Diary of a Mad Housewife was a huge critical hit, earning its female lead an Academy Award nomination upon its release. The Perry’s film is presented here in both its theatrical cut, and in a long-unseen alternative TV version.

INDICATOR STANDARD EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• High Definition remaster
• Original mono audio
• Two presentations of the feature: the original theatrical cut (96 mins, High Definition); and the long-unseen alternative TV version (91 mins, Standard Definition)
• Theatrical cut audio commentary with actor Rutanya Alda and film historian Lee Gambin (2022)
• TV version audio commentary with Frank Perry biographer Justin Bozung (2022)
• A Confident Approach (2011, 6 mins): archival interview in which actor-turned-director Richard Benjamin reflects on working with some of the great American filmmakers
• Feminine Mystique (2022, 31 mins): video appreciation by award-winning editor and filmmaker Chris Innis
• Original theatrical trailer
• Larry Karaszewski trailer commentary (2020, 4 mins)
• Radio spots
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing