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IMDbPro

The Head

Original title: Die Nackte und der Satan
  • 19591959
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
690
YOUR RATING
The Head (1959)
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
A scientist invents a serum that keeps a dog's head alive after its body dies. When the scientist dies of a heart attack, his crazed assistant cuts off his head and, using the serum, keeps t... Read allA scientist invents a serum that keeps a dog's head alive after its body dies. When the scientist dies of a heart attack, his crazed assistant cuts off his head and, using the serum, keeps the doctor's head alive and forces it to help him on an experiment to give his hunchbacked ... Read allA scientist invents a serum that keeps a dog's head alive after its body dies. When the scientist dies of a heart attack, his crazed assistant cuts off his head and, using the serum, keeps the doctor's head alive and forces it to help him on an experiment to give his hunchbacked nurse assistant a new body.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
690
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Victor Trivas
  • Writer
    • Victor Trivas
  • Stars
    • Horst Frank
    • Karin Kernke
    • Helmut Schmid
Top credits
  • Director
    • Victor Trivas
  • Writer
    • Victor Trivas
  • Stars
    • Horst Frank
    • Karin Kernke
    • Helmut Schmid
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 37User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos13

    Horst Frank and Michel Simon in The Head (1959)
    Horst Frank, Karin Kernke, and Michel Simon in The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)
    Michel Simon in The Head (1959)
    Horst Frank and Michel Simon in The Head (1959)
    Helmut Schmid and Michel Simon in The Head (1959)
    Karin Kernke in The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)
    The Head (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Horst Frank
    Horst Frank
    • Dr. Brandt - alias Dr. Oodas Dr. Brandt - alias Dr. Ood
    Karin Kernke
    Karin Kernke
    • Schwester Irene Sanderas Schwester Irene Sander
    Helmut Schmid
    Helmut Schmid
    • Bert Jaegeras Bert Jaeger
    Paul Dahlke
    Paul Dahlke
    • Police Commissioner Sturmas Police Commissioner Sturm
    Dieter Eppler
    Dieter Eppler
    • Paul Lerneras Paul Lerner
    Kurt Müller-Graf
    • Dr. Walter Burkeas Dr. Walter Burke
    Christiane Maybach
    Christiane Maybach
    • Stella - alias Lillyas Stella - alias Lilly
    Michel Simon
    Michel Simon
    • Prof. Dr. Abelas Prof. Dr. Abel
    Herb Beschanner
      Johannes Buzalski
      Johannes Buzalski
      • Bettler vor der 'Tam-Tam' Stripbaras Bettler vor der 'Tam-Tam' Stripbar
      • (uncredited)
      Walter Holten
      • Prof. Dr. Abelas Prof. Dr. Abel
      • (voice)
      • (uncredited)
      Eleonore Noelle
      • Schwester Irene Sanderas Schwester Irene Sander
      • (voice)
      • (uncredited)
      Osman Ragheb
      • Franz - the Bartenderas Franz - the Bartender
      • (uncredited)
      Maria Stadler
      • Mrs. Schneideras Mrs. Schneider
      • (uncredited)
      Barbara Valentin
      Barbara Valentin
      • Animierdame und Tänzerin in der 'Tam Tam' Baras Animierdame und Tänzerin in der 'Tam Tam' Bar
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Victor Trivas
      • Writer
        • Victor Trivas
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Michel Simon, a major star in France at the time, had used some tainted makeup on a previous film that had resulted in his body and face becoming temporarily partially paralyzed. Since that time he had been unable to find work and took a role in this low-budget German horror film because he needed the money and only his head would be shown, and he didn't think a film of this caliber, which could adversely affect his career, would be seen on the rest of the continent. Unfortunately he was wrong, and the film was in fact a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
      • Goofs
        When Bert begins playing his flute, he abruptly stops, but his music continues playing.
      • Quotes

        Stella, alias Lilly: You mean you're still doing those awful experiments?

        Dr. Brandt, alias Dr. Ood: I'm now LEGALLY a doctor.

      • Connections
        Referenced in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)

      User reviews37

      Review
      Top review
      6/10
      Baseline Horror Movie
      It was fun to read other commentators concerning the actors in this film. Otherwise, the whole thing would have been a pretty disappointing effort. As it is, the premise is kind of dumb. We must suspend our disbelief and accept the fact that a head can be kept alive. I suppose I'm not supposed to ask why the guy can talk without lungs and other respiratory apparatus. The scientist is mad (why are they always so crazy?). A kindly hunchbacked nurse gets a new body from a stripper and has trouble dealing with it (as most of use would). There is this kind of German Aryan thing going on. I can't quite put my finger on it. The movie has an interesting atmosphere but it is pretty bleak and painful. Of course, the talking head thing has been done again, including by prime time news commentators. Still, once you buy into it, it's an OK presentation.
      helpful•11
      2
      • Hitchcoc
      • Jan 31, 2007

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • July 24, 1959 (West Germany)
      • Country of origin
        • West Germany
      • Language
        • German
      • Also known as
        • Des Satans nackte Sklavin
      • Filming locations
        • ARRI-Atelier, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
      • Production company
        • Rapid Film
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 37 minutes
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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