Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde

Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Hammer's gender blending version of the Stevenson novel has Henry Jekyll (Ralph Bates) experimenting with extending life but he accidentally turns himself into the beautiful but deadly Mrs. Hyde (Martine Beswick). This here is certainly an ambitious little film that works a lot better than it should have. I think the biggest key is the screenplay by Brian Clemens, which throws everything into the picture and just hopes it sticks. Not only do we get the gender bending version of Jekyll and Hyde but we also get Jack the Ripper elements thrown in and we also get Burke and Hare elements added for good measure. We've basically got three different movies going on here and it's all held together with some very good direction by Baker. He handles the material quite well and mixes it up nicely and for the most part delivers a good film. The biggest problem is that the movie starts to run out of steam towards the end and the final ten-minutes are pretty dragging. Another strong aspect are the performances by Bates and Beswick. It's remarkable how much they look alike and this adds to the story of them being brother and sister. Both are very strong in their roles with Bates really shining and I'd say he's one of the better Jekyll's out of any of the versions. Susan Broderick is also very good as the neighbor who loves Jekyll. I think this film is a lot better than Hammer's previous attempts at Jack the Ripper or the Jekyll/Hyde tale and the added sexuality makes this one to watch.

London. We see first how Jack the Ripper kills one whore. Then we see that Ripper actually is Dr. Jekyll. Jekyll has killed womens to produced he's "elixir of life". But when he drinks it he becomes a sexy and evil femme fatale Hyde.

Sounds like a bad film? It is not.

This is one of few interesting horror films from Hammer at 70's. Director Roy Ward Baker(Vampyre Lowers) has made a film that really takes you at the late of 19's century. Ralph Bates(Horror of Frankenstein) is good as "the Ripper" Jekyll. In this version Jekyll has to do evil before he drinks the elixir. That make story more interesting. Jekyll first robs the graves with criminals called Burke and Hare(famous real life body snatchers from Edinburgh). Then he has to kill to do good. And when he finally takes a drink things are rally getting on. Martine Beswick(One million years B.C.) is beautiful, sexy and wicked as sister Hyde.

It is a good film. But still... I think that(as a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson's story)this could work better if writer/producer Brian Clemens would have made two films. One of Jekyll & Hyde, another of Jack the Ripper. But after all this, it is worth to see.

But do not watch that comedy Dr. Jekyll and ms. Hyde. That sucked so much!!!

The stiff upper lip and jaw of Ralph Bates finally come into their own in this nice variation of Jekyll and Hyde, which also mixes in good quantities of Jack the Ripper myth and the famous 17th century grave robbers Burke and Hare. Considerably less stiff is Martine Beswick as the doctor's female alter ego. She is absolutely too loose in her ways, but I am certainly not complaining! Both are just the right persons for their clashing roles and superbly so. The actual physical change between the two supreme parts in one person is shown in subtle manners and without great special effects, which not only was cheaper to do, but also leaves a lot for a viewer to imagine and so makes it in a way easier to accept. A wise decision from the makers.

The plot idea of unifying the two main story lines of such classic origins is nothing short of brilliant. The invention of elixir of human life using female hormones and how to get it by "uncanny goings in late hours" really does the trick. So does the fascinating and at the same time foul results of the experiment, the mixing of selves and struggle for dominance. Of course much more could have been built in and deepened in the script making the story more intriguing and disturbing. Some needed romantic and freshening humor aspect comes from the continuously snooping neighbors with their funnily pretentious "it doesn't concern us" attitude.

In all, this is once again a fun and stylish horror movie from Hammer studios. The bolder style of company's early seventies film is very much present with some slight gore and nudity added in the proceedings. So, now everyone hurry up and see it.

Dr. Jekyll (Ralph Bates) is a scientist researching the cure of many diseases. He is a very reserved and shy man, and spends most of his time working on his laboratory. One day, his friend Professor Robertson (Gerald Sim) visits him and advises that he would probably die before the conclusion of his studies. Dr. Jekyll decides to research an elixir of life, based on feminine hormones, to extend his life and consequently end his work. He uses female corpses to get the hormones. The effect of the elixir releases his '"feminine repressed side" and he becomes an aggressive and beautiful woman, Ms. Hyde (Martine Beswick). When the bodies finish in the city morgue, Dr. Jekyll starts killing women to proceed with his research.

"Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde" is another charming movie by Hammer and a great entertainment. The theatrical style uses few locations and the gore and killing are not graphic. Fans of Hammer Film Productions will certainly enjoy this different version of the classic story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Médico & Irmã Monstro" ("The Doctor and Sister Monster")

You probably know of the regular Jekyll and Hide story, well this Hammer film directed Roy Ward Baker film adds an interesting variation to what you may already know. In Victorian London Dr Henry Jekyll creates a magic potion using hormones stolen from female corpses - he believes that women live longer than men so using their hormones would be more advantageous. After drinking the magic potion, he becomes Sister Hyde - a hot but dangerous woman. As she, he must get more female hormones to make sure the potion doesn't wear off, so she sets off on a murderous rampage through London.

A typical Hammer film where it's as much tongue in cheek as it is horror. Ralph Bates does well as Dr Jekyll, and Martine Bestwick (who you may have seen in the Bond film "From Russia with Love") is excellent. Don't expect a deep delve into feminism or gender struggles, this is a light-hearted horror film through and through. At most if you want to read into it you might perceive sexual repression; Jekyll is married to science while Hyde explores more 'fun' pursuits.

A decent enough film which twists the original Robert Louis Stevenson story in a way that only the 1970's could. 6 out of 10.