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 | death | evil woman | breasts | 

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Taglines:

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

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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

The original UK rating was X.

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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

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.

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Connections

Version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2002)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Things most foul to do while in foggy old London

The stiff upper lip and jaw of Ralph Bates finally come into their own in this nice variation of Jekyll and Hyde, which also mixes in good quantities of Jack the Ripper myth and the famous 17th century grave robbers Burke and Hare. Considerably less stiff is Martine Beswick as the doctor's female alter ego. She is absolutely too loose in her ways, but I am certainly not complaining! Both are just the right persons for their clashing roles and superbly so. The actual physical change between the two supreme parts in one person is shown in subtle manners and without great special effects, which not only was cheaper to do, but also leaves a lot for a viewer to imagine and so makes it in a way easier to accept. A wise decision from the makers.

The plot idea of unifying the two main story lines of such classic origins is nothing short of brilliant. The invention of elixir of human life using female hormones and how to get it by "uncanny goings in late hours" really does the trick. So does the fascinating and at the same time foul results of the experiment, the mixing of selves and struggle for dominance. Of course much more could have been built in and deepened in the script making the story more intriguing and disturbing. Some needed romantic and freshening humor aspect comes from the continuously snooping neighbors with their funnily pretentious "it doesn't concern us" attitude.

In all, this is once again a fun and stylish horror movie from Hammer studios. The bolder style of company's early seventies film is very much present with some slight gore and nudity added in the proceedings. So, now everyone hurry up and see it.