The Doctor and the Devils (1985)

In Victorian England, two grave robbers supply a wealthy doctor with bodies to research anatomy on, but greed causes them to look for a more simple way to get the job done. Based on the horrifying Burke and Hare case.

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Dylan Thomas (earlier screenplay), Ronald Harwood

Stars:

Timothy Dalton, Jonathan Pryce, Twiggy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Dalton	...	Doctor Thomas Rock
Jonathan Pryce	...	Robert Fallon
Twiggy	...	Jennie Bailey
Julian Sands	...	Dr. Murray
Stephen Rea	...	Timothy Broom
Phyllis Logan	...	Elizabeth Rock
Lewis Fiander	...	Dr. Thornton
Beryl Reid	...	Mrs. Flynn
T.P. McKenna	...	O'Connor
Patrick Stewart	...	Prof. Macklin
Siân Phillips	...	Annabella Rock
Phil Davis	...	Billy Bedlam (as Philip Davis)
Philip Jackson	...	Andrew Merry-Lees
Danny Schiller	...	Praying Howard
Bruce Green	...	Mole

Storyline

In the nineteenth century, the renowned professor of anatomy Dr. Thomas Rock gives classes to neophyte medicine students at the local university. Dr. Rock uses his assistant Dr. Murray to buy corpses for his experiments from body snatchers paying a little fortune for the cadavers. When the alcoholic scum Robert Fallon and Timothy Broom overhear the conversation of grave-robbers about Dr. Rock, they decide to supply fresher corpses that are worth more to the doctor, killing the poor inhabitants. Dr. Murray has unrequited feelings for the cockney whore Jennie Bailey that usually hangs around with the prostitute Alice. When Dr. Murray discovers that Fallon has just sold the corpse of Alice, he seeks out the worthless Fallon and Broom to stop them from murdering Jennie. Will he arrive in time to save Jennie?

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Plot Keywords:

corpse | doctor | grave robber | lecture | scientist | 

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Taglines:

A man of medicine...A pair of murderers...An unholy alliance.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Médico e os Monstros

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,559, 6 October 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$147,070

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brooksfilms, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The story is inspired by the infamous actions of real grave robbers Burke and Hare, as well as other known incidents throughout nineteenth century England and Scotland.

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Goofs

The song Jennie sings in the tavern ("Whisper and I Shall Hear") was not written until 1891, while the Burke and Hare murders on which the film is based took place in 1828.

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Quotes

Annabella Rock: Oh, Son of God, hear me. Deliver from evil my brother, Thomas. Deliver him from heathen company. Help him to heal with hands in God's service. And let not those hands be used in foulness for the sake of what the devil has made him think is progress.

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Alternate Versions

UK versions are cut by 9 secs to remove a cockfight.

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Connections

Version of The Body Snatcher (1945)

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Soundtracks

TAINTED HANDS
Written and Performed by In Tua Nua

User Reviews

Stylish Drama

In the Nineteenth Century, the renowned professor of anatomy Dr. Thomas Rock (Timothy Dalton) gives classes to neophyte medicine students in the local university. Dr. Rock uses his assistant Dr. Murray (Julian Sands) to buy corpses for his experiments from body snatchers paying a little fortune for the cadavers. When the alcoholic scum Robert Fallon (Jonathan Pryce) and Timothy Broom (Stephen Rea) overhear the conversation of grave-robbers about Dr. Rock, they decide to supply fresher corpses that worth more to the doctor, killing the poor inhabitants. Dr. Murray has unrequited feelings for the cockney whore Jennie Bailey (Twiggy) that usually hangs around with the also prostitute Alice (Nichola McAuliffe). When Dr. Murray discovers that Fallon has just sold the corpse of Alice, he seeks out the worthless Fallon and Broom to stop them from murdering Jennie. Will he arrive in time o save Jennie?

"The Doctor and the Devils" is a stylish drama, but not a horror movie. The costumes, sets and art direction are amazing, with a great reconstitution of the period with muddy streets and dirty people. The excellent cast has great performances, with great names of the British cinema and the story is also good. Unfortunately the screenplay is not good and does not offer the adequate pace for this film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not Available