L'orribile segreto del Dr. Hichcock (1962)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Riccardo Freda

Writer:

Ernesto Gastaldi (story)

Release Date:

2 December 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

A monstrous, terrifying story of black madness!

Plot:

The year is 1885, and necrophiliac Dr. Hitchcock likes to drug his wife for sexual funeral games. One...

Plot Keywords:

Necrophilia

Cast

Barbara Steele	...	Cynthia Hichcock
Robert Flemyng	...	Prof. Bernard Hichcock
Silvano Tranquilli	...	Dr. Kurt Lowe (as Montgomery Glenn)
Maria Teresa Vianello	...	Margherita Hichcock (as Teresa Fitzgerald)
Harriet Medin	...	Martha, the maid (as Harriet White)
Spencer Williams	...	Hospital Assistant
Al Christianson
Evar Simpson
Nat Harley
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Neil Robinson	...	Hospital Assistant
Howard Nelson Rubien	...	Laboratory Specialist

Also Known As:

Raptus
The Frightening Secret of Dr. Hichcock (International: English title) (literal title)
The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (USA)
The Horrible Secret of Dr. Hichcock
The Secret of Dr. Hichcock
The Terrible Secret of Dr. Hichcock
The Terror of Dr. Hichcock (UK)

Runtime:

88 min | USA:76 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Italy:VM14

Company:

Panda Film

Movie Connections:

Followed by Lo spettro (1963)

Thin plot, but lavish cinematography and Barbara Steele help it

Many people, like me, will see The Terror of Dr Hitchcock purely for it's cult value. This is the best reason to see the film, as the value outside of it's cult status isn't exactly vast; but the film does offer other reasons that makes viewing worthwhile. First and foremost is the fact that it stars 'The Queen of Horror' Barbara Steele. Steele is an odd beauty, and her looks always ensure that she serves whatever film she's in well. She stars alongside Robert Flemyng, who takes the title role as Dr Hitchcock. Given that the film is supposed to be about him, I was surprised to find that most of the screen time focuses on Barbara Steele's character. This is either the result of Steele's status within the genre, or the fact that Flemyng's character is actually quite boring. This is the film's main problem. The themes on offer are intriguing and often make for great horror movies; but because the central character never really gets a chance to let his motives and desires shine through the performance; it's difficult to really connect with him or the film.

The story follows the aforementioned doctor. Dr Hitchcock is into necrophilia, and when his game that involves drugging his wife goes wrong and she winds up dead, Hitchcock is unable to let go and keeps her body in the cellar. He remarries and plans to use the blood of his new wife to bring back his old one. Like most Italian horror films from this period; the cinematography is awesome, and this is brought about by lavish sets and excellent use of lighting. A lot of the running time is spent on watching Steele run about the various rooms of the castle, and this would be quite boring if the film wasn't so beautiful to look at. The cinematography isn't enough to save the film, however, as a lot of what goes on does look suspiciously like padding for an otherwise thin plot. The film starts off slowly, and the pacing does pick up towards the end where the film is at it's most interesting. The Terror of Dr Hitchcock isn't a great film, or even a great genre film; but it's an interesting little flick that is best remembered for it's beautiful cinematography and the fact that it stars one of horror cinema's great actresses.