66 reviews
In the 1870's London, the middle-aged Dr. Henry Jekyll lives a reclusive life with his young wife Kitty. Jekyll has given up lecturing in Universities and dedicates his time for charity works and his personal research in his private lab. He completely neglects his wife Kitty, who has started an affair with Jekyll's friend Paul Allen, who also spends Jekyll's money on his gambling debts. One night, Jekyll tests a drug he has invented to separate the good and evil in man, on himself. As a result he becomes young and handsome Edward Hyde, who soon begins his mission of not only to destroy Kitty and Paul, but Jekyll as well.
Terence Fisher's film "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" is one of the most original and underrated adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Since the three most well known movie versions of Jekyll & Hyde before this (1920 silent film with John Barrymore, 1931 classic with Frederic March and 1941 remake with Spencer Tracy) all repeated similar plot pattern, the Hammer Films wanted to give something different.
Like with Hammer's other adaptations of classic horror stories, the film only keeps the essential backbone of the original story and changes all else. Unlike in the three previous movies where Jekyll was presented as a young handsome and likable man and Hyde as evil looking ugly monster, here Jekyll is middle-aged bearded and very cold and harsh towards others. Hyde on the other hand is smooth, handsome player who gets everyone to like him like that. However, he is no less evil then other versions of Hyde. This time Hyde doesn't use Jekyll as a hiding place to escape to, but he puts the blame of his crimes on Jekyll. Nasty piece of work.
The film has been much underrated because it doesn't have the same kind of Hammer horror feel to it. But Fisher and others are not even trying to make this same kind of shocking horror film as their previous works "The Curse of Frankenstein", "Horror of Dracula" and "The Mummy" are. Instead Fisher and screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz are telling a tragedy of how one man's quest for knowledge ultimately destroys everything and everyone around him. The makers are more interested in showing the duality of Victorian era, where people were respectable during the day and transformed during the night. Jekyll in the movie is just the only one who does it literally.
The role of Jekyll/Hyde was originally meant for Christopher Lee, but not wanting to be type casted as the monster, since he had already played Frankenstein's creature, Count Dracula and the Mummy, Lee was casted as Paul Allen instead. Obviously glad to play different kind of part, Lee delivers one of his best Hammer performances as the suave and unreliable gambler. Lee played Jekyll and Hyde later in a movie called "I, Monster" from 1971, which follows Stevenson's book more faithfully than this one.
In the role of Jekyll/Hyde, Paul Massie is really underrated. Sure, I could name half a dozen other actors who have played the part better. But Massie is one of the few actors, along with Frederic March and Jack Palance, who managed to make both Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde interesting characters. Most actors I've found are rather boring when playing Jekyll, only coming to life when changing to Hyde. In the role of Jekyll's cheating wife Kitty, Dawn Addams is not just a candy to the eyes, she really fits the part perfectly and is one of the few Hammer leading ladies with some other talent than just their looks. In minor roles you can see Norma Marla and her very erotic snake dance, as well as young Oliver Reed in one of his earliest movie roles.
All in all, "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" is a forgotten gem, an enjoyable film from Hammer's highlight era, as long as you keep open mind and not expect gallons of blood.
Terence Fisher's film "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" is one of the most original and underrated adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Since the three most well known movie versions of Jekyll & Hyde before this (1920 silent film with John Barrymore, 1931 classic with Frederic March and 1941 remake with Spencer Tracy) all repeated similar plot pattern, the Hammer Films wanted to give something different.
Like with Hammer's other adaptations of classic horror stories, the film only keeps the essential backbone of the original story and changes all else. Unlike in the three previous movies where Jekyll was presented as a young handsome and likable man and Hyde as evil looking ugly monster, here Jekyll is middle-aged bearded and very cold and harsh towards others. Hyde on the other hand is smooth, handsome player who gets everyone to like him like that. However, he is no less evil then other versions of Hyde. This time Hyde doesn't use Jekyll as a hiding place to escape to, but he puts the blame of his crimes on Jekyll. Nasty piece of work.
The film has been much underrated because it doesn't have the same kind of Hammer horror feel to it. But Fisher and others are not even trying to make this same kind of shocking horror film as their previous works "The Curse of Frankenstein", "Horror of Dracula" and "The Mummy" are. Instead Fisher and screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz are telling a tragedy of how one man's quest for knowledge ultimately destroys everything and everyone around him. The makers are more interested in showing the duality of Victorian era, where people were respectable during the day and transformed during the night. Jekyll in the movie is just the only one who does it literally.
The role of Jekyll/Hyde was originally meant for Christopher Lee, but not wanting to be type casted as the monster, since he had already played Frankenstein's creature, Count Dracula and the Mummy, Lee was casted as Paul Allen instead. Obviously glad to play different kind of part, Lee delivers one of his best Hammer performances as the suave and unreliable gambler. Lee played Jekyll and Hyde later in a movie called "I, Monster" from 1971, which follows Stevenson's book more faithfully than this one.
In the role of Jekyll/Hyde, Paul Massie is really underrated. Sure, I could name half a dozen other actors who have played the part better. But Massie is one of the few actors, along with Frederic March and Jack Palance, who managed to make both Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde interesting characters. Most actors I've found are rather boring when playing Jekyll, only coming to life when changing to Hyde. In the role of Jekyll's cheating wife Kitty, Dawn Addams is not just a candy to the eyes, she really fits the part perfectly and is one of the few Hammer leading ladies with some other talent than just their looks. In minor roles you can see Norma Marla and her very erotic snake dance, as well as young Oliver Reed in one of his earliest movie roles.
All in all, "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" is a forgotten gem, an enjoyable film from Hammer's highlight era, as long as you keep open mind and not expect gallons of blood.
Dr. Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) is working on a serum that brings out the animal instincts of man. After testing it on a monkey (who goes berserk), he turns to himself. As his alternate self, Edward Hyde, he stumbles upon his friend's treachery and his wife's sordid affair. Hyde, the animal that he is, is ready to go on his own little excursion into debauchery and hedonism.
I was really blown away by this film. The Jekyll/Hyde story has been told again and again and the main character has been portrayed by countless actors. Yet, this may be the great version out there -- definitely the best one I've seen yet. The Canadian actor playing both roles was a new face for me, but is pretty amazing and I couldn't see the two personas as the same actor no matter how hard I tried. It was quite impressive.
Christopher Lee, ever-present in the Hammer films (did he ever have a day off?), plays friend Paul Allen. Wow. I've praised Lee in "Scream of Fear", but he should be praised no less in this, where he's a convincingly sleazy gambler and womanizer. Not the way I picture Lee to be, but it seems so natural here. The more I see this man in action, the more I see what the generation before me saw. I had always been a Peter Cushing fan, but maybe it's time for me to switch sides? I enjoyed the philosophical questions raised by this film. There's the portrayal of Hyde as younger, more handsome and more charming... not the monster he's usually shown to be. I think this fit well... he still had the spontaneous violence, but not unlike the devil himself, knew his way to get to people with savoir faire. Early on, Jekyll also talks of the man "beyond good and evil", the "higher man", evoking the words of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, though certainly not in the way Nietzsche would have endorsed. Both Nietzsche's and Jekyll's higher man use their wills to gain what they most desire, but Hyde is something of an unhinged creature, not the refined and academic man Nietzsche preferred.
Nietzsche also spoke of "beyond good and evil" as a transcendence of morality, moving beyond our traditional concepts and accepting that there is good and bad, but no overarching divine good or evil. In this regard, Hyde may be comparable. He certainly has no care for his "evil" actions... though one suspects that not even Nietzsche would support these "bad" actions destroying those around him.
You must pick up this film (preferably in the four-disc set of Hammer films also containing "The Gordon" and "Scream of Fear"). You don't need to be as analytical or philosophical as I am when digesting it, but you'll love the film for its great characters and hedonistic wickedness... drunken, licentious men in 1870s London? Let the depravity begin.
I was really blown away by this film. The Jekyll/Hyde story has been told again and again and the main character has been portrayed by countless actors. Yet, this may be the great version out there -- definitely the best one I've seen yet. The Canadian actor playing both roles was a new face for me, but is pretty amazing and I couldn't see the two personas as the same actor no matter how hard I tried. It was quite impressive.
Christopher Lee, ever-present in the Hammer films (did he ever have a day off?), plays friend Paul Allen. Wow. I've praised Lee in "Scream of Fear", but he should be praised no less in this, where he's a convincingly sleazy gambler and womanizer. Not the way I picture Lee to be, but it seems so natural here. The more I see this man in action, the more I see what the generation before me saw. I had always been a Peter Cushing fan, but maybe it's time for me to switch sides? I enjoyed the philosophical questions raised by this film. There's the portrayal of Hyde as younger, more handsome and more charming... not the monster he's usually shown to be. I think this fit well... he still had the spontaneous violence, but not unlike the devil himself, knew his way to get to people with savoir faire. Early on, Jekyll also talks of the man "beyond good and evil", the "higher man", evoking the words of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, though certainly not in the way Nietzsche would have endorsed. Both Nietzsche's and Jekyll's higher man use their wills to gain what they most desire, but Hyde is something of an unhinged creature, not the refined and academic man Nietzsche preferred.
Nietzsche also spoke of "beyond good and evil" as a transcendence of morality, moving beyond our traditional concepts and accepting that there is good and bad, but no overarching divine good or evil. In this regard, Hyde may be comparable. He certainly has no care for his "evil" actions... though one suspects that not even Nietzsche would support these "bad" actions destroying those around him.
You must pick up this film (preferably in the four-disc set of Hammer films also containing "The Gordon" and "Scream of Fear"). You don't need to be as analytical or philosophical as I am when digesting it, but you'll love the film for its great characters and hedonistic wickedness... drunken, licentious men in 1870s London? Let the depravity begin.
Like many Hammer Films that were pooh-poohed at the time of their release as exploitational, THE TWO FACES OF DR. JEKYLL is much better than its reputation would have you think, and it's surprisingly frank in its depictions of adultery and sexuality. It's well-directed by Terence Fisher, and the sets, costumes, set decorations and cinematography are excellent, making very good use of color (particularly in the Can-Can sequence). Performances are also excellent, particularly Paul Massie in the title roles, though he may seem a bit over-the-top at times. He does an excellent job of differentiating between Jekyll and Hyde, even vocally (though he sounds oddly post-synched in both roles). No, this isn't the foggy, gas-lit London of previous versions of J&H - color more or less ruled that out - but its nevertheless effective in its own way and deserves re-examination.
- Harold_Robbins
- Sep 11, 2011
- Permalink
Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has provided inspiration for many a film-maker throughout the years, with various degrees of faithfulness shown to the source. Always eager to put their own Gothic spin on a popular tale, Hammer Films tackled the story in 1960, not only ensuring that debauchery levels were maximised, but changed a key aspect to the plot that makes the whole experience all the more delightfully wicked. Here, in Terence Fisher's film, Dr. Jekyll is dull and ugly, while Mr. Hyde is handsome and highly charismatic, as well as being an utter bastard.
Believing the human mind to consist of two personalities from opposite sides of the spectrum - good and evil - outcast Dr. Jekyll (Paul Massie) sets out to separate the two in order to help mankind embrace the good. Living almost in solitude, he neglects his wife Kitty (Dawn Addams), a promiscuous, spoilt woman currently embarking on an affair with her husband's best friend, Paul Allen (Christopher Lee). Jekyll drinks his newly created potion and Hyde emerges, introducing himself at a social gathering with swagger and charm (and getting into a fight with a young Oliver Reed). There he meets Paul and Kitty, who don't recognise him, and begins to toy with the two of them, all the while indulging on the many seductive pleasures of London.
Although it's difficult to believe that Jekyll's wife and best friend wouldn't recognise him without his ludicrous fake beard and mono- brow, The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is a enjoyable romp from start to finish. Massie is clearly having a ball in the dual role, and convinces as Hyde grows bored with money, gambling and women, and soon turns to darker alternatives, notably murder and manipulation. It doesn't pull it's punches either, portraying Hyde's journey into the further extremities of debauchery as intoxicating as Hyde clearly finds it, featuring the odd swear word and a scene of heavily implied rape. Special mention must also go to the recently departed Lee, who somehow finds a shred of sympathy for his cocky and pathetic rich boy character. One of Hammer's most effortlessly gratifying gems.
Believing the human mind to consist of two personalities from opposite sides of the spectrum - good and evil - outcast Dr. Jekyll (Paul Massie) sets out to separate the two in order to help mankind embrace the good. Living almost in solitude, he neglects his wife Kitty (Dawn Addams), a promiscuous, spoilt woman currently embarking on an affair with her husband's best friend, Paul Allen (Christopher Lee). Jekyll drinks his newly created potion and Hyde emerges, introducing himself at a social gathering with swagger and charm (and getting into a fight with a young Oliver Reed). There he meets Paul and Kitty, who don't recognise him, and begins to toy with the two of them, all the while indulging on the many seductive pleasures of London.
Although it's difficult to believe that Jekyll's wife and best friend wouldn't recognise him without his ludicrous fake beard and mono- brow, The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is a enjoyable romp from start to finish. Massie is clearly having a ball in the dual role, and convinces as Hyde grows bored with money, gambling and women, and soon turns to darker alternatives, notably murder and manipulation. It doesn't pull it's punches either, portraying Hyde's journey into the further extremities of debauchery as intoxicating as Hyde clearly finds it, featuring the odd swear word and a scene of heavily implied rape. Special mention must also go to the recently departed Lee, who somehow finds a shred of sympathy for his cocky and pathetic rich boy character. One of Hammer's most effortlessly gratifying gems.
- tomgillespie2002
- Jul 9, 2015
- Permalink
Dr. Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) has no life anymore, chained to his work and stuck in a loveless marriage to Kitty (Dawn Addams), he busy's himself working on a character altering potion. Firstly testing it on primates, Jekyll ignores the warnings from his friend Dr. Ernst Littauer (David Kossoff) and experiments on himself. The result brings out Jekyll's alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde, a debonair gentlemen who holds within a sadistic dangerous streak. Hyde spells danger for anyone who gets too close to him, particularly Kitty, Jekyll's morally bankrupt friend Paul Allen (Christopher Lee) and more worryingly, Jekyll himself.
The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is by Hammer Film Productions. It's directed by Terence Fisher and is adapted by Wolf Mankowitz from the famous story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Tho very much a middle tier offering from the house of Hammer, this version of the often told tale puts a different slant on things to make it unique and always interesting. Jekyll here is a bland and reclusive person, the people closest to him cheat on him and he is powerless to stop it. Contrast with Hyde, handsome and charming and able to take what he wants either by cunning or brute force. This was a deliberate shift from the normal by Fisher and Mankowitz, they didn't want Hyde as some furry half man beast frothing at the mouth, they sided with evil lurking behind a charming facade. It's also notable for its ending too. Where they had the courage of their convictions to stay with a differing formula.
The problems come if one is searching for a horror film in the Hammer tradition. For although Hammer traits such as a smouldering sexiness hang over proceedings, the film is in truth lacking in terror. Something which is sure to annoy the horror purists. But if you can accept this as a more restrained psychological horror piece, one that deals in the duality of man, the pursuit of something more and the often treacherous nature of the human being, the rewards are there to be enjoyed. The cast are fine, Massie is competent without the ham, and Lee is elegantly vile to fit seamlessly into character. But the bonus is with a flame headed Dawn Addams who comes up with something more than the usual heaving bosom Hammer leading lady. The cast also features an early appearance from none other than Oliver Reed, suitably playing a night club pimp type bit of muscle. Shot in Megascope and Technicolor the film thankfully looks gorgeous and has transfered excellently on to DVD. With the sultry red lipped Addams and Jekyll's garden particularly benefiting from the pinging colours.
A dam good story with wit and cautionary observations of the human condition, this isn't one for the blood and gore brigade. But it has many other qualities just waiting to be discovered by the more literary minded horror fan. 7/10
The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll is by Hammer Film Productions. It's directed by Terence Fisher and is adapted by Wolf Mankowitz from the famous story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Tho very much a middle tier offering from the house of Hammer, this version of the often told tale puts a different slant on things to make it unique and always interesting. Jekyll here is a bland and reclusive person, the people closest to him cheat on him and he is powerless to stop it. Contrast with Hyde, handsome and charming and able to take what he wants either by cunning or brute force. This was a deliberate shift from the normal by Fisher and Mankowitz, they didn't want Hyde as some furry half man beast frothing at the mouth, they sided with evil lurking behind a charming facade. It's also notable for its ending too. Where they had the courage of their convictions to stay with a differing formula.
The problems come if one is searching for a horror film in the Hammer tradition. For although Hammer traits such as a smouldering sexiness hang over proceedings, the film is in truth lacking in terror. Something which is sure to annoy the horror purists. But if you can accept this as a more restrained psychological horror piece, one that deals in the duality of man, the pursuit of something more and the often treacherous nature of the human being, the rewards are there to be enjoyed. The cast are fine, Massie is competent without the ham, and Lee is elegantly vile to fit seamlessly into character. But the bonus is with a flame headed Dawn Addams who comes up with something more than the usual heaving bosom Hammer leading lady. The cast also features an early appearance from none other than Oliver Reed, suitably playing a night club pimp type bit of muscle. Shot in Megascope and Technicolor the film thankfully looks gorgeous and has transfered excellently on to DVD. With the sultry red lipped Addams and Jekyll's garden particularly benefiting from the pinging colours.
A dam good story with wit and cautionary observations of the human condition, this isn't one for the blood and gore brigade. But it has many other qualities just waiting to be discovered by the more literary minded horror fan. 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Apr 9, 2010
- Permalink
I really like Paul Massie in the lead role and I feel he does manage to give a compelling performance here. However the film itself proves unfortunately melodramatic (too many long scenes of Jekyll having outbursts of guilty emotions over the actions of Hyde is the biggest shortcoming). The changes to the story were novel but at the same time managed to turn Jekyll into a simpering wimp compared to a much stronger Hyde. I also fails to make us feel sympathy for any of Hyde's victims..still for some reason I find myself sometimes going back to this one.
- Space_Mafune
- Dec 26, 2003
- Permalink
Having long been a serious Hammer fan, this film somehow escaped me for years. I recently viewed it for the first time, and was very impressed. Christopher Lee rarely had such a delicious part, as the pompous and sleazy Paul Allen. Director Terence Fisher and composer Monty Norman are in top form as well. Of course, the story itself is familiar but thoroughly engaging.
One thing troubles me, the tape I saw had a few obvious dialog cuts. If you've never seen The Two Faces of Dr. Jeckyll, AND you like the horror cinema of this period, I strongly urge you to see this one.
One thing troubles me, the tape I saw had a few obvious dialog cuts. If you've never seen The Two Faces of Dr. Jeckyll, AND you like the horror cinema of this period, I strongly urge you to see this one.
The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960) is a Hammer Films movie that I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows Dr. Jekyll experimenting on the good and bad within people. As he experiments on himself he experiences random twitches where sometimes he's good and sometimes he's bad but it turns him into almost completely two different people. How will this impact his coworkers, friends and family?
This movie is directed by Terence Fisher (Horror of Dracula) and stars Paul Massie (Orders to Kill), Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings), Dawn Addams (The Hour of 13), Norma Marla (The Ugly Duckling), Francis De Wolff (From Russia with Love) and David Kossoff (Chance Meeting).
The storyline for this is just okay and I think I prefer Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde over two Dr. Jekyll's. I will say the ending twist is great as is the final scene - Perfectly executed and something I never saw coming. The belly dancer in this is gorgeous (Norma Marla) and Christopher Lee delivers an amazing performance creating a worthwhile subplot. The horror elements were minimal, and the mustache and beard in this is horrendous. The scene where he pushes and bullies the girl was a bit much and hard to watch.
Overall, this is far from one of Hammer Films best movies but it was worth a watch. I would score this a 6/10.
This movie is directed by Terence Fisher (Horror of Dracula) and stars Paul Massie (Orders to Kill), Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings), Dawn Addams (The Hour of 13), Norma Marla (The Ugly Duckling), Francis De Wolff (From Russia with Love) and David Kossoff (Chance Meeting).
The storyline for this is just okay and I think I prefer Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde over two Dr. Jekyll's. I will say the ending twist is great as is the final scene - Perfectly executed and something I never saw coming. The belly dancer in this is gorgeous (Norma Marla) and Christopher Lee delivers an amazing performance creating a worthwhile subplot. The horror elements were minimal, and the mustache and beard in this is horrendous. The scene where he pushes and bullies the girl was a bit much and hard to watch.
Overall, this is far from one of Hammer Films best movies but it was worth a watch. I would score this a 6/10.
- kevin_robbins
- Mar 30, 2023
- Permalink
I stumbled across this movie on late night television a couple of nights ago. It looked like a fairly low-budget movie and I didn't really expect to stay with it, but it surprised me. I found it to be an entertaining story, with enough originality to make it more than just a rehash of the Jekyll/Hyde tale. In particular, the portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde was different than what I expected. While Jekyll is generally portrayed as a kind and gentle man (while at the same time a bit cold and aloof) he is usually the more physically attractive side of the split personality. In this movie, Jekyll vaguely resembles Abraham Lincoln - hardly the most attractive man in history, while Hyde is actually strikingly handsome in addition to being charismatic. It seems that the point is that good and evil doesn't always equate to beauty and ugliness.
I thought Paul Massie did a decent job portraying both sides of the split personality, and a young Christopher Lee does well as Paul Allen, a scheming conniver having an affair with Jekyll's wife (Dawn Addams) who befriends Hyde, ultimately leading to his own downfall.
All in all, I quite enjoyed this movie, and am glad I stumbled across it.
7/10
I thought Paul Massie did a decent job portraying both sides of the split personality, and a young Christopher Lee does well as Paul Allen, a scheming conniver having an affair with Jekyll's wife (Dawn Addams) who befriends Hyde, ultimately leading to his own downfall.
All in all, I quite enjoyed this movie, and am glad I stumbled across it.
7/10
- planktonrules
- Aug 16, 2009
- Permalink
Very nice and quite original adaptation of this often (ab)used material. This is probably the only version where Hyde is actually more handsome, social and sexy - even in a sort of school-boyish way to begin with - than Jekyll, who is a total wet blanket. There is indeed one of the sexiest performances by Christopher Lee in the film. I'm very happy he isn't in the lead role - I suggest he would have been directed to be his usual grim and menacing self again. Instead of that we get a smiling, easy-going Lee, dripping with wicked charm and sexuality. There aren't many available films to see him still under 40, so if you are a fan of his, I suggest you check this one out. Sure, it tends to be a bit melodramatic, but fortunately everyone around the poor, misunderstood Jekyll is so delightfully evil - his double-crossing wife, and double double-crossing friend - that the dramatic outbursts are nicely suppressed. Also, you get a very intimate close up at the holiest of holies of a scantily dressed snake charmer, and we get the "b"-word loud and clear - rather nice for 1960. Nice sets, nice Victorian frolics, very good looking cast, and generally a more fun version of the book than we usually get. I only have a strange looking pan and scan bootleg version of this film, which obviously was shot in widescreen. Typical vibrant colours of the period, good score and expert direction plus mostly proper British accent from everyone in the cast. I'm very glad I stumbled upon this film, and should I ever see a legitimate widescreen version released, I'd snatch it without a second thought. I'm rich, you see.
A good Hammer Film. The plot is keeping with in the Jekyll-Hyde story. Christopher Lee is in it, and so is sexy Dawn Adams. The snake dancer in the night club is one of the best I have ever watched! I was watching a documentary on the history of Hammer Films, and one of the producers said this film was not well recieved, for a B- Horror Movie I strongley dissagree.
Hammer Studios put a unique spin on this classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson: Professor Henry Jekyll (Canadian born Paul Massie) is a homely schmuck working on proving that old theory about the duality of humankind. When he tests some experimental serum on himself, he transforms into the much more handsome and suave Edward Hyde. Unfortunately, he can't really control these transformations, and Hyde becomes the dominant personality more and more, and Hyde shows himself to be an effectively conniving and nasty individual.
Sir Christopher Lee is great fun in a supporting role, playing Paul Allen, Jekylls' friend and a compulsive gambler. Paul has also been carrying on with Jekylls' wife Kitty (Dawn Addams) for quite some time. It's rare that Sir Christopher got a chance to be this funny, or to be so loose in a performance. Likable Massie is quite good in the two vastly different primary roles. He's so charming as Hyde that you can't help but like Hyde to some degree, until his ruthlessness comes out. It's similarly refreshing that the wife is not that loyal, or understanding, and the lovely Addams does a capable job. David Kossoff (as Jekylls' colleague Ernst), and Norma Marla (as the alluring exotic dancer Maria) offer excellent support. The physically imposing Francis De Wolff only comes in towards the end, not given much to do as a police inspector who picks up Hydes' trail. And keep an eye out for a very young Oliver Reed as a tough talking pimp!
Hammer mainstay director Terence Fisher is in fine form, and the production design by Bernard Robinson is sumptuous, as you would expect after seeing his work on other Hammer horror films. The color photography just pops, and it's a treat that Hammer decided to shoot this in Megascope (a 2.35:1 aspect ratio). Screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz crafts an adaptation that is entertaining if ultimately light on horror elements. For one thing, we never seen an on screen transformation from Jekyll to Hyde, or vice versa. It's Massies' performance that sells those moments.
Overall, not bad. Worth a look for Hammer fans.
Seven out of 10.
Sir Christopher Lee is great fun in a supporting role, playing Paul Allen, Jekylls' friend and a compulsive gambler. Paul has also been carrying on with Jekylls' wife Kitty (Dawn Addams) for quite some time. It's rare that Sir Christopher got a chance to be this funny, or to be so loose in a performance. Likable Massie is quite good in the two vastly different primary roles. He's so charming as Hyde that you can't help but like Hyde to some degree, until his ruthlessness comes out. It's similarly refreshing that the wife is not that loyal, or understanding, and the lovely Addams does a capable job. David Kossoff (as Jekylls' colleague Ernst), and Norma Marla (as the alluring exotic dancer Maria) offer excellent support. The physically imposing Francis De Wolff only comes in towards the end, not given much to do as a police inspector who picks up Hydes' trail. And keep an eye out for a very young Oliver Reed as a tough talking pimp!
Hammer mainstay director Terence Fisher is in fine form, and the production design by Bernard Robinson is sumptuous, as you would expect after seeing his work on other Hammer horror films. The color photography just pops, and it's a treat that Hammer decided to shoot this in Megascope (a 2.35:1 aspect ratio). Screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz crafts an adaptation that is entertaining if ultimately light on horror elements. For one thing, we never seen an on screen transformation from Jekyll to Hyde, or vice versa. It's Massies' performance that sells those moments.
Overall, not bad. Worth a look for Hammer fans.
Seven out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- May 26, 2017
- Permalink
The acting is fine, the costumes are fine and the dialogue is fine... This is one of those films that's not so bad that it becomes good again, and it's not good enough to be a classic. It's just a middling film from early 1960's Hammer horror.
On one hand, the film was trying to switch things up. Mr. Hyde has so often been depicted as an ugly monster in other films (see the 1920, 1931 and 1941 adaptions for good examples). Instead, this film portrays Hyde as a seemingly suave gentleman with an evil heart; a wolf in sheep's clothing, essentially.
The premise falls short because the film does not truly emphasize how terribly Hyde has behaved. He drinks and carouses, but the vast majority is off screen. When Jekyll laments there is no depth of depravity that will satisfy Jekyll, it's hard to believe because he doesn't seen to have yet pushed the boundaries very far. It's not until late in the movie when Hyde does truly horrible things.
The best moments of the film are when Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde struggle against one another while in the same body, even if Jekyll's facial hair looks painfully fake from the movie's first shot.
On one hand, the film was trying to switch things up. Mr. Hyde has so often been depicted as an ugly monster in other films (see the 1920, 1931 and 1941 adaptions for good examples). Instead, this film portrays Hyde as a seemingly suave gentleman with an evil heart; a wolf in sheep's clothing, essentially.
The premise falls short because the film does not truly emphasize how terribly Hyde has behaved. He drinks and carouses, but the vast majority is off screen. When Jekyll laments there is no depth of depravity that will satisfy Jekyll, it's hard to believe because he doesn't seen to have yet pushed the boundaries very far. It's not until late in the movie when Hyde does truly horrible things.
The best moments of the film are when Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde struggle against one another while in the same body, even if Jekyll's facial hair looks painfully fake from the movie's first shot.
Ostracized by the scientific community, Dr. Jekyll is doing some rather pointless sounding experiments while his wife is cheating on him with his gambler friend. Unhappy with their relationship, he turns his experiments on himself and becomes the suave Mr. Hyde.
Another take on the Jekyll and Hyde story, this one has some interesting ideas, but it never does much with them. Ultimately, the film is quite dull. Too much focus is placed on Jekyll's poor marriage and the affair his wife is having. It might not have been so bad if his wife were actually desirable, but she's an annoying shrew. Jekyll should just rid himself of her and consider his life all the better for it. Christopher Lee plays the friend with whom she's having the affair. He's playing against type here and is actually sort of the protagonist, but it's hard feeling sympathy for a philanderer. Paul Massie plays Jekyll and Hyde. He's actually not that great as either. His line delivery just sounds unnatural, especially when he's playing Jekyll.
There are some interesting twists towards the end, but it's too little, too late. This isn't one of the better films from Hammer.
Another take on the Jekyll and Hyde story, this one has some interesting ideas, but it never does much with them. Ultimately, the film is quite dull. Too much focus is placed on Jekyll's poor marriage and the affair his wife is having. It might not have been so bad if his wife were actually desirable, but she's an annoying shrew. Jekyll should just rid himself of her and consider his life all the better for it. Christopher Lee plays the friend with whom she's having the affair. He's playing against type here and is actually sort of the protagonist, but it's hard feeling sympathy for a philanderer. Paul Massie plays Jekyll and Hyde. He's actually not that great as either. His line delivery just sounds unnatural, especially when he's playing Jekyll.
There are some interesting twists towards the end, but it's too little, too late. This isn't one of the better films from Hammer.
Most people who watch this film are doing it because they're either Christopher Lee fans, or are fans of Hammer Studio films. Both are cool.
But I'm writing this review to let everybody else know that they should be watching this for Dawn Addams. I wasn't familiar with her name or work before I saw this movie, but here she is radiant. Add in her red hair and the nice looking sharp color cinematography (this isn't one of those dark B&W foggy London smudge fests) and she just sets the screen on fire!! Her radiance also adds to the story as this movie reveals the bawdy side of late night Victorian London, something I haven't seen in many movies.
Dawn Addams would bring out the Mr. Hyde in every man!! If only Dr. Jekyll came out of the lab a little more often!!
Worth a viewing.
But I'm writing this review to let everybody else know that they should be watching this for Dawn Addams. I wasn't familiar with her name or work before I saw this movie, but here she is radiant. Add in her red hair and the nice looking sharp color cinematography (this isn't one of those dark B&W foggy London smudge fests) and she just sets the screen on fire!! Her radiance also adds to the story as this movie reveals the bawdy side of late night Victorian London, something I haven't seen in many movies.
Dawn Addams would bring out the Mr. Hyde in every man!! If only Dr. Jekyll came out of the lab a little more often!!
Worth a viewing.
Hammer were responsible for some of the best films in the genres, some near-classics and an even larger number of very good films. Though, like most studios, they were not without their misses. While I wouldn't go as far to call The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll a miss as such it does disappoint, considering it's directed by Terrence Fisher(who directed some of Hammer's best films) and that it starred Christopher Lee.
The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is a better film than it is reputed to be. It looks great with colourful and atmospheric photography, ravishing use of colour and sumptuous sets and evocative in its period detail. Fisher's direction is not him at his most involved, but he keeps things moving swiftly mostly and he shows great technical assurance and a feel for atmosphere. The music score is hauntingly dramatic, while the script while with its rambling moments is still thought-provoking and flows reasonably well. The film also has such an interesting idea going for it, fair play to the film for giving a much-adapted story an original twist. The story is less than perfect but it still entertains and has some good atmosphere, with the final act evoking some chills, it has some bold themes for the time and the snake charmer dance is unforgettably sensual. There are some good performances with Christopher Lee coming out on top, it is an atypical role for him and he does smarmy, handsome charm and lecherous truly excellently. Dawn Addams shows that she can do more than just being there looking pretty, handling the fiery and meek aspects of her character believably. Look out too for a brief appearance from a young Oliver Reed before he went on to give a riveting lead performance in Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf. Paul Massie, in an uneven dual performance rather than a good or bad one, scores far better as Hyde than as Jekyll, he performs Hyde with menace and real gusto if not without the tendency to overdo it at times.
Massie disappoints however as Jekyll, he is rather dull and unmotivated, even sounding bored. While the story has its compelling moments and an interesting concept, it doesn't always explain its ideas enough so things did feel under-explained. It also, excepting some of the last act, falls far short in scares and suspense, some of the middle act drags quite badly and the dance hall and Jekyll's guilty emotions outbursts(which had the worst of the rambling) go on for too long and slow the film down.
All in all, The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is better than it's made out to be by some but Hammer have done far better before and since. 6/10 Bethany Cox
The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is a better film than it is reputed to be. It looks great with colourful and atmospheric photography, ravishing use of colour and sumptuous sets and evocative in its period detail. Fisher's direction is not him at his most involved, but he keeps things moving swiftly mostly and he shows great technical assurance and a feel for atmosphere. The music score is hauntingly dramatic, while the script while with its rambling moments is still thought-provoking and flows reasonably well. The film also has such an interesting idea going for it, fair play to the film for giving a much-adapted story an original twist. The story is less than perfect but it still entertains and has some good atmosphere, with the final act evoking some chills, it has some bold themes for the time and the snake charmer dance is unforgettably sensual. There are some good performances with Christopher Lee coming out on top, it is an atypical role for him and he does smarmy, handsome charm and lecherous truly excellently. Dawn Addams shows that she can do more than just being there looking pretty, handling the fiery and meek aspects of her character believably. Look out too for a brief appearance from a young Oliver Reed before he went on to give a riveting lead performance in Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf. Paul Massie, in an uneven dual performance rather than a good or bad one, scores far better as Hyde than as Jekyll, he performs Hyde with menace and real gusto if not without the tendency to overdo it at times.
Massie disappoints however as Jekyll, he is rather dull and unmotivated, even sounding bored. While the story has its compelling moments and an interesting concept, it doesn't always explain its ideas enough so things did feel under-explained. It also, excepting some of the last act, falls far short in scares and suspense, some of the middle act drags quite badly and the dance hall and Jekyll's guilty emotions outbursts(which had the worst of the rambling) go on for too long and slow the film down.
All in all, The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is better than it's made out to be by some but Hammer have done far better before and since. 6/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 6, 2015
- Permalink
I saw this movie at the cinema when I was a teen. I thought (and still do) that Paul Massie was unconvincing in the title role. It was billed as a horror movie but where was the horror? And what was Hammer thinking? They had Christopher Lee in the movie and although he was very good in the role (very sleazy as Dawn Adams' lover).... why wasn't he given the lead? What a difference this film would have been. One had to wait for Lee to play it in "I, Monster."
Dawn Adams was excellent..... and what a beautiful woman...
Not one of the best Hammer movies but well worth a watch, especially for the snake charmer scene. Erotic.
It is not the usual Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde and it does have some class and is generally well acted.
Dawn Adams was excellent..... and what a beautiful woman...
Not one of the best Hammer movies but well worth a watch, especially for the snake charmer scene. Erotic.
It is not the usual Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde and it does have some class and is generally well acted.
Terence Fisher directed this Hammer studios version of the famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel that stars Paul Massie as both kindly(but bookish) scientist Henry Jekyll, and his wild(but evil) alternate Mr. Hyde. Jekyll has developed a serum he thinks will isolate the evil from people, but instead splits his personality, transforming the older bearded Henry to the younger and non-bearded Hyde, who does all the things Henry finds repugnant. Dawn Addams plays his disinterested wife Kitty, who is having an affair with his old friend Paul Allen(played by Christopher Lee) who introduces Hyde to the seamy side of London life, which will end in tragedy for all concerned... Underrated version has good performances by the leads(especially Massie) and fine direction and script. The Frederic March version is best, but this compares well.
- AaronCapenBanner
- Nov 20, 2013
- Permalink
Hammer's take on Jekyll & Hyde. It's interesting, for sure, but not one of their better efforts. The most notable difference between this and earlier versions is that here Jekyll is the ugly one and Hyde is handsome. While that's a cute twist, I thought they went overboard on Jekyll's makeup. He looks like a caveman! Also a major part of the plot involves Jekyll's adulterous wife and her lover. While an interesting parting from previous versions where Jekyll's wife was a saint, it ultimately adds very little in my opinion. For a movie short on likable characters, it really hurts that these two play such an important part. The cast is solid. Paul Massie does a fine job as Jekyll, though even he can't overcome the caveman makeup issue. Christopher Lee, despite being the biggest name in the cast, is given the role of the wife's lover. He does a great job but I can't help but wonder how he might have handled the lead. Dawn Addams is good as the wife. Oliver Reed has a small part as what I believe was a pimp. It's not a bad movie by any stretch but lacking something. Well, several somethings. There is no one to root for and the ending just kind of sneaks up on you, to name two. Also, Terence Fisher's direction is a little dull. See it if you love Hammer but keep expectations low.
- Woodyanders
- Nov 17, 2008
- Permalink
- NutzieFagin
- Oct 17, 2013
- Permalink
This takes place in London of 1874. Doctor Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) is looking for a potion to turn good into evil and vice versa. Why he wants to do this is never really explained. He injects himself with a drug he thinks will work and turns into the evil My. Hyde (Massie again). The switch here is that Jekyll is unattractive, bearded and old--Hyde is handsome, clean shaven and young! The idea is a good one but it's badly handled here.
Simply put the script is dull! Most of it concentrates on Jekyll and his cheating wife (Dawn Addams) and none of that is very interesting. Christopher Lee as Jekyll's best friend Paul Adams interjects some life into the proceedings but not enough. To make matters worse Massie isn't that good. I'm not blaming him totally though--playing both roles must have been difficult. Addams is even worse as his wife. She was a very beautiful woman but had limited acting ability. Also look for a very young Oliver Reed. There's no blood or gore but there is a pretty erotic snake dance (with some incredibly blunt--for 1960--sexual symbolism), a flash of female nudity and some mild swearing. All of this was cut out of the TV print or voiced over ("hell" became "Hades" when I caught it on TV years ago). The 2008 DVD release is complete and uncut and in pristine condition. If you want to see it get that one but I seriously can't recommend this. I give it a 5.
Simply put the script is dull! Most of it concentrates on Jekyll and his cheating wife (Dawn Addams) and none of that is very interesting. Christopher Lee as Jekyll's best friend Paul Adams interjects some life into the proceedings but not enough. To make matters worse Massie isn't that good. I'm not blaming him totally though--playing both roles must have been difficult. Addams is even worse as his wife. She was a very beautiful woman but had limited acting ability. Also look for a very young Oliver Reed. There's no blood or gore but there is a pretty erotic snake dance (with some incredibly blunt--for 1960--sexual symbolism), a flash of female nudity and some mild swearing. All of this was cut out of the TV print or voiced over ("hell" became "Hades" when I caught it on TV years ago). The 2008 DVD release is complete and uncut and in pristine condition. If you want to see it get that one but I seriously can't recommend this. I give it a 5.