This four-part mini-series, made for Italian TV, has a much more original and modern feel to it than most other adaptions of this book. The updating of the setting from the 19th century to the 60's, certainly goes some way to achieving this but also there is a very serious approach to the script and acting performances in general. Giorgio Albertazzi is in the Jekyll/Hyde dual role and brings a definite intensity to his portrayal - his Hyde character is actually considerably more sinister than is usual for this kind of thing, with little overall makeup other than strange predatory eyes, this Hyde really feels like he might be genuinely dangerous.
I haven't read the novella but believe that the story is told in a similar manner, in that it unfolds from the perspective of Mr Utterson, Jekyll's lawyer. The approach to the material does lead to a lot of scenes where characters will talk at length - it almost feels like something that could have been taken straight out of the theatre in this sense - and the drawback is that the pace can get very bogged down at times. The way it all ended did seem a bit flat as well, with an drawn-out, yet underplayed finale. That being said, there were also many effective moments in this one and its originality of feel was a definite plus. The atmosphere of the piece is enhanced somewhat by the oppressive black and while picture quality, which is due to its 60's TV origins but in which I felt inadvertently lent an extra intensity to the already brooding drama on screen.
