The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)

A centenarian artist and scientist in 1890 Paris maintains his youth and health by periodically replacing a gland with that of a living person.

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Jimmy Sangster (screenplay), Barré Lyndon (play) (as Barre Lyndon)

Stars:

Anton Diffring, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anton Diffring	...	Dr. Georges Bonnet
Hazel Court	...	Janine Du Bois
Christopher Lee	...	Dr. Pierre Gerrard
Arnold Marlé	...	Dr. Ludwig Weiss (as Arnold Marle)
Delphi Lawrence	...	Margo Philippe
Francis De Wolff	...	Inspector Legris

Storyline

In 1890, in Paris, the artist Dr. Georges Bonnet invites a group of friends for a private exposition of his new sculpture. Among the guests are Dr. Pierre Gerrard and his companion Janine Du Bois that had an affair with Dr. Bonnet ten years ago in Italy. When they see each other, their love rekindle. However Dr. Bonnet has a dark secret since he is 104 years old and needs to have a gland transplanted every ten years to keep his youth. But his partner and friend Dr. Ludwig Weiss had a stroke in Switzerland and cannot perform the surgery.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | gland transplant | gland | remake | centenarian | 

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Taglines:

Incredible Horror Like Never Before!

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Georges Bonnet was born in 1786.

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Goofs

Christopher Lee's hairline raises and lowers from scene to scene.

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Quotes

Dr. Georges Bonner: [Before unveiling the bust] I would like to say at this stage that any credit due for what you are about to see should be laid at the feet of my charming young model. An artist cannot form a thing of beauty unless he has a thing of beauty from which to draw inspiration.

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Alternate Versions

The "European" print of the film includes scenes of a topless Hazel Court.

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Connections

Featured in TJ and the All Night Theatre: The Man Who Could Cheat Death + the Man Without a Body (1980)

User Reviews

Worth a DVD

Although not one of Hammer's best films, it is a good movie. The Victorian setting (although it is supposed to take place in Paris) is very charming. Some people have criticized the use of heavy fog in Paris but I feel it adds to the eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Christopher Lee is very effective and is a hero - which is rare in early Hammer films. Hazel Court is absolutely beautiful as the heroine. The plot is interesting and moves quite well. Compared to some other old movies that have been released on DVD, this one is a winner. It is truly a film that belongs in a Hammer fan's collection. Too bad Peter Cushing was not in the film because it would have been even better. I hope some Hammer fans read this and make a plea to have the movie released on DVD. At least it could be one movie of a double feature.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Could Cheat Death

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP84,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1