Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)

Director:

Roy Ward Baker

Writers:

Brian Clemens (writer)
Robert Louis Stevenson (novel)

Release Date:

April 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

The sexual transformation of a man into a woman will actually take place before your very eyes!

Plot:

Dr. Henry Jekyll, in attempting to find a toxin that will wipe out all common diseases, accidentally...

Plot Keywords:

Experiment | Jekyll And Hyde | Prostitution | Sex Change | Temptress

Cast

Ralph Bates	...	Dr. Jekyll
Martine Beswick	...	Sister Hyde
Gerald Sim	...	Professor Robertson
Lewis Fiander	...	Howard
Susan Brodrick	...	Susan
Dorothy Alison	...	Mrs. Spencer
Ivor Dean	...	Burke
Philip Madoc	...	Byker
Irene Bradshaw	...	Yvonne
Neil Wilson	...	Older Policeman
Paul Whitsun-Jones	...	Sergeant Danvers
Tony Calvin	...	Hare
Dan Meaden	...	Town Crier
Virginia Wetherell	...	Betsy
Geoffrey Kenion	...	1st Policeman

Runtime:

97 min | USA:94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:(Banned) (1972) | Norway:16 (1972) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2004) | UK:18 (video rating) (1990) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Elstree Film and TV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

The BBFC requested cuts to remove the inter-cutting of a murder and a rabbit gutting, and to edit a bedroom murder and the stabbing of Professor Robertson. The bedroom murder was shortened though Hammer re-edited the stabbing of the doctor to comprise flash shots of earlier killings. Despite initial BBFC objections the film was then passed, and all later releases feature this same edited print.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The Prostitute killed at the beginning of the film is wearing modern high-heeled shoes.

Quotes:

Dr. Jekyll: I walked the streets, brooding on the bitter irony that all I wanted to do for humanity, for life, would be cheated by death... unless I could cheat death.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Invasion of the Scream Queens (1992)

Soundtrack:

He'll Be There

Spooky and funny at the same time. This is GREAT Hammer entertainment!!

The story is well known, but the Hammer computation of it is pure fun like you've rarely seen it before! The re-writing of the ancient fable by Robert L. Stevenson is dared and perhaps a bit silly, but it never loses the power of the classic version. You simply can't but love this film as it combines good laughs, a few shocks and terrific acting performances. Roy Ward Baker also did a sublime job as the director. Since the year of release is 1971, this one certainly belongs to the better ones of the late Hammer efforts, if not one of the best in the entire history of the British production company. The largest praising goes out to the cast. I've seen Ralph Bates before, as the vicious Baron in The Horror of Frankenstein, but I didn't like him that much at that time…neither did I like that whole film, by the way. But he certainly does a great job here, as the dedicated scientist – Dr. Jeckyll – who is about to discover the secret to everlasting life! The intense work and dedication he puts into his research is spooky and funny at the same time. A pure joy to observe and a very bright performance. As an important substance of his experiments, he tests the effect of female hormones on himself, which makes him turn into his alter ego, Sister Hyde. He then becomes a stunning beauty, walking and talking through the body of the absolutely gorgeous Martine Beswick! This former Bond-girl (From Russia with Love) could be described best as every man's wet dream. As a cover for Dr. Jeckyll, sister Hyde goes out on the streets at night for killing new hormones! The alter ego slowly takes control over Jeckyll's manhood, which leads to a couple of hilarious and well-portrayed situations. As said before, the screenplay of this film is one you've got to love! Enormous fun! The Jack-the-Ripper settings and atmosphere are terrific and there even is some good bloodshed to enjoy for the real horror freaks! Highest possible recommendation for this one!