Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (1971)

A Victorian scientist tests a serum that transforms him into a sensuous murderess.

Director:

Roy Ward Baker

Writers:

Robert Louis Stevenson (based upon the story by), Brian Clemens (screenplay)

Stars:

Ralph Bates, Martine Beswick, Gerald Sim

Cast

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

Storyline

In Victorian London, Dr. Henry Jekyll attempts to create an elixir of life using female hormones stolen from fresh corpses. He reasons that these hormones will wipe out all common diseases and extend his life since women live much longer than men. However, once Dr. Jekyll drinks the serum himself, he transforms into a gorgeous but evil woman. He soon needs female hormones for his serum to maintain, so a number of London women meet bloody deaths.

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Plot Keywords:

experiment gone wrong | looking at oneself in a mirror | psychotronic film | death | evil woman | 

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Taglines:

PARENTS: Be sure your children are sufficiently mature to witness the intimate details of this frank and revealing film.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the third of three Hammer adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". The other two are The Ugly Duckling (1959) and The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960).

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Goofs

The film is set in the 1880s due to the references to the Jack the Ripper murders, but features Burke and Hare who were around 60 years earlier and in Edinburgh, whilst the Ripper murders were in London.

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Quotes

Sister Hyde: There'll be a different kind of victim tonight, not a streetwalker but a pure young virgin. That will end the tug-of-war between us.

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Connections

Version of The Head of Janus (1920)

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Soundtracks

He'll Be There
Music & Lyrics by Brian Clemens
Performed by Julia Wright (dubbed by Jackie Lee)

User Reviews

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!