Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Double Feature (1932/1941)

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Fredric March won an Oscar® for playing the protagonist (and antagonist) of Robert Louis Stevenson's story. Dr. Henry Jekyll is an honorable man of science, albeit frustrated at the enforced celibacy of a delayed wedding date. Hyde is the fearsome creature he turns into after drinking a potion, and Hyde's appetites (mostly expressed with Miriam Hopkins's Cockney dance-hall wench) are decidedly unrestrained. March's performance is pretty theatrical, but it's fun to watch; his Hyde twitches and squawks and lopes around like an ape in a tuxedo. Rouben Mamoulian's direction has plenty of the brio of early-thirties Hollywood, and the transformations from Jekyll to Hyde are ingenious for the time. This film followed Dracula and Frankenstein into theaters by a few months, and it stands well with those horror classics--and it's a darn sight more fun (and much more down and dirty) than the 1941 MGM version of Stevenson's tale. --Robert Horton

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Classy MGM was not the studio most likely to make a horror movie in 1941, and in fact its production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ended up looking more like a glossy costume drama than a B-movie frightfest. The mood of Robert Louis Stevenson's tale of a divided doctor is ably captured in Joseph Ruttenberg's Oscar-nominated cinematography--more so, perhaps, than in Spencer Tracy's lead performance. Tracy wasn't especially happy about playing the role, although his transformations from good Dr. Jekyll to evil Dr. Hyde are convincing enough. One of the main reasons to see this version of the story is the young, impossibly beautiful Ingrid Bergman, then still a year shy of Casablanca. Bergman was cast in the good-girl part, but proved a shrewd judge of material, even this early in her Hollywood career; she finagled her way into playing the floozy instead, thus securing a more colorful acting platform than Lana Turner, who ended up in the more respectable role. Director Victor Fleming's previous movie was a little number called Gone with the Wind, and the Big Picture approach to that project may have influenced his work here--this Dr. Jekyll is just a bit too stately, too polished to really engage. The picture is so dignified it never cuts loose with the kind of wild invention that marked the 1932 version of the story, which won Fredric March an Oscar. It's the tale as imagined by Jekyll, rather than Hyde. --Robert Horton

Description

The classic tale about a scientist's investigation into the nature of good and evil will become a double feature for this title. The original 1932 Paramount uncut long version starring Frederic March - for which he won the Oscar - and the 1941 MGM remake with Spencer Tracy in the title role as well as Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner will be offered together.

Customer Reviews:

dr jekyll and mister hyde.......2007-08-17

i thought the 1932 version had more depth to the hyde character than the tracy version but would not state that either was not worth viewing. i think getting these 2 fairly hard to find titles at such a great low price,make this disk a must have. and dont forget the bugs bunny as dr jekyll/ hyde bonus!!!

The two Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde versions.......2007-06-20

Both 1932 and 1941 versions of this oft-told classic make for worthwhile viewing, with my own preference the earlier pre-Code entry starring Fredric March. It's the more frightening of the two, with stark, expressionist sets and ghoulish Hyde make-up accentuating Jekyll's turn from good to evil. The second entry has a gorgeous MGM gloss, and assured direction by Victor Fleming. It also has Spencer Tracy, a fabulous actor whose Hyde is a subtler rendition, a man with a heavier brow and leering expression, whose change seems more behavioral than physical. The second version also boasts the luminous Ingrid Bergman, playing against type as a streetwalker. See both entries, and make up your own mind. You won't go far wrong either way.

Exploring the Dark Side of Human Nature.......2007-06-14

This 1932 film begins with a man playing an organ in a mansion. He is to speak to the university, they have a full audience for him. Dr. Jekyll speaks of the duality of man's nature, the good and the bad side which are always in conflict. If the bad side of man could be eliminated how much better for mankind? Are our beliefs crippling us? Does Dr. Jekyll spend too much time in the charity ward? His life seems just perfect. But his wedding is pushed back to a future date. A street quarrel attracts Dr. Jekyll, he helps a young woman, and she invites him back. Dr. Jekyll continues to experiment in his laboratory, he is obsessed with his theory. He experiments with the elixir on himself (no objective observer!). The effect is to free the bad side of his nature.

Dr. Jekyll has a setback in his plans, and his elixir transforms him into Mr. Hyde. He returns in search of that young woman. [The make-up of Hyde tells you something about the outlook of that time.] Hyde acts beastly, but his money makes him attractive to the young woman Ivy Pearson. General Carew agrees to Jekyll's early marriage to his daughter. Then Ivy Pearson comes to Dr. Jekyll for help against Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll promises Ivy she will never see Hyde again. But there is an unintended consequence to Jekyll's experiments, and Hyde returns involuntarily.! There seems to be no return to Jekyll's peaceful past. Muriel still loves Jekyll, and goes against her father's wishes. Jekyll sets Muriel free from her promise. But there is another transformation! The police and a crowd of people chase Hyde to his refuge. A shot puts an end to Hyde, and Jekyll returns at the end.

I thought this story was an argument for Prohibition (alcohol can release the beast in man).

a split review (4 stars for march but 2 stars for tracy) of a split personality.......2006-09-06

this dvd contains both the frederic march and spencer tracy versions of the robert louis stevenson novella. i had only seen the march film in a severely truncated print, and was always curious as to why this was deemed so good a movie; herein the dvd restores almost 20 minutes and i now agree to the quality: a nuanced performance by the leads (whither miriam hopkins?) and a splendid production under rouben mamoulian. the later spencer tracy version is a bore. revisionists are now trying to acclaim it as a misunderstood flawed masterpiece, but i disagree -- its just dull, featuring terrible miscasting of tracy, ingrid bergman, and lana turner. watch the movie to compare it with its far better predecessor.

What Is The Nature Of Man?.......2006-08-25

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (DVD)

What Is It?

This is the monster movie classic from 1941. It has a cast of big stars that your kids (and maybe you) will not recognize. The "Father of the Bride" Spencer Tracy plays the good doctor and the monster that haunts Ingrid Bergman & Lana Turner. It was directed by Victor Flemming after his 1939 hits "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With The Wind." Shot in black and white, this film looks and sounds wonderful on the new "re-release" DVD that also includes the 1930's version.

How Was It?

This was a good film, but I think I would have been more impressed in 1941. The story was strong and interesting. Unfortunately the pacing of the film is just very slow.

Mr. Hyde becomes more "monstrous" as the film goes on. Each time he changes, it's uglier. This is a poetic choice, but at the beginning, it's hard to understand why Dr. Jekyll's friends don't see the amazing resemblance between him and Mr. Hyde.

Is It Good For Kids?

First of all, it is in Black and White. Most kids today have not been exposed to "good" black and white films, so most are turned off by it.

Secondly, it is still "Very Slow."

Finally, the issues are very heady. As "Mr Hyde", he has weird fantasies that are decidedly adult in there symbolism. Then it is a monster move with murder, ugly creators, and screaming women.

[...]
How about Spiritual Issues?

This is one of the most exciting parts of the film. The film starts in a church and ends with a Psalm being recited. Dr. Jekyll is trying to control the sin nature of the human soul with chemicals instead of God. (This is clearly stated at the beginning of the film.) When the Doctor realizes that he has an evil nature that he can not control, he dedicates all his time to breaking the bond in his soul to separate out his warring factions. The result is the personification of both halves. He names his evil side Hyde (or Flesh) and becomes him to indulge in sin. The sin starts at fantasies and watching "daring" shows, but then escalates to full consummation of evil. The problem of the soul is truly revealed when the Doctor decides to stop becoming Mr. Hyde, but then finds himself changing without the chemicals. He has not suppressed his evil, he has fed it, and now it is literally a Monster he can not control.

What Is Your Recommendation?

If you can get around the slowness of this picture, it is very interesting. Here we see that trying to live your life separate from God produces monsters, and the monsters may be us.

Otherwise, maybe it's time for a re-make... have you ever considered producing?

Average customer rating:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff
A brillant show
Not a huge David fan
Hasselhoff notwithstanding, it's fun to see the real theater production again
a fantastic show

Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical
Starring: David Hasselhoff , Coleen Sexton , Andrea Rivette , George Merritt (III) , and Barrie Ingham
Director: Don Roy King
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005NKSV
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Amazon.com

Baywatch alum David Hasselhoff stars in the dual title roles of Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical, Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse's version of Robert Louis Stevenson's gothic horror classic. The story of the brilliant scientist who uncovers the good and evil aspects of the human heart was a pay-per-view event on the Broadway Television Network, filmed on stage before a live audience. If that audience had seen a lot of Broadway shows, they probably didn't see much they hadn't seen before, but its familiar plot and accessible pop score give Jekyll and Hyde a certain appeal, especially for musical novices.

Notable songs for Coleen Sexton and Andrea Rivette (as good girl Lucy and bad girl Emma, respectively) include "Someone Like You," "Once Upon a Dream," and the duet "In His Eyes." Hasselhoff cuts an imposing figure but is somewhat unsteady in such anthems as "This Is the Moment," which are tailor-made for big voices (for example, Linda Eder, Wildhorn's wife and the creator of the Lucy role). --David Horiuchi

Description

The longest-running show in the history of Broadway's Plymouth Theatre, Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical brings new life to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story of romance and the epic battle between good and evil. A whirlwind odyssey pitting man against himself is set in motion when the brilliant Dr. Jekyll's medical experiment backfires, giving life to his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde. The show won a legion of repeat visitors (dubbed by the press as

Customer Reviews:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff.......2007-09-10

I really enjoyed watching Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff. I was truly surprised at how great David Hasseloff performance was as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Not only was he amazing to watch but the rest of the cast was also a pleasure to watch.

A brillant show.......2007-08-16

Although Hasselhoff has nothing on Anthony Warlow, Jekyll and Hyde is a real masterpiece. True its music does mimic many previous well know stage musicals but it is still brillant in every sense of the word. Songs like Someone Like You and In His Eyes stand alone as examples of why this musical should not be judge so harshly. Just because it came out after other successes doesn't mean it is attempting to copy them and even if it is it is merely because those shows were hits and who wouldn't want their 'baby' to be a succeed in a pretty harsh business. Clearly it was a big enough success to be on broadway, produced as this dvd and turned into a feature film (coming 2009). So to anyone who hasn't seen the show and wants to see it then WATCH THIS DVD! And the same goes for fans. Until 2009 when the feature film comes out this is a terrific substitute, even if Hasselhoff isn't the greatest Jekyll ever on stage(like I have implied- he did have some tough acts to follow).

Before I finish up let me just add that aside from all this the leading ladies are fabulous in this particular production and worth having a good look and listen to.

Not a huge David fan.......2007-08-16

I am a huge fan of musicals, and Jeckyll and Hyde has been my favorite for years! It was one of the first shows I saw on stage and I immediately fell in love with it. I was disappointed in David Hasselhoff's performance. I love the music from Jeckyll and Hyde. Some of the songs were simply meant for big, strong voices. Sadly, David's voice is neither big nor strong. I still recommend the DVD because there is really no other choice and it is worth watching, despite Hasselhoff. However, if you are not familiar with Jeckyll and Hyde already PLEASE listen to the original cast recording of the show!

Hasselhoff notwithstanding, it's fun to see the real theater production again.......2007-07-31

I'm a Jekkie, yet not a complete wacko about this show (though my wife still rolls her eyes). I'm going to target this for others who have seen the show, aren't ashamed to admit they like it, get a bit tired of the over-analysis from the prigs (including about Frank Wildhorn's work), yet somehow haven't been able to bring themselves to buy the DVD because of all the sour reviews of Hasselhoff's work.

If anyone buys its BECAUSE of Hasselhoff, OK, you're open to second-guessing and maybe you really think you'll rich for life if you answer the email asking for help to get $3.4 billion out of (fill in blank with name of impoverished nation).

But giving it a shot is perfectly rational -- especially six years later, after everyone pretty much has conceded he's the major weakness of the DVD version.

I watched this again last night for a second time after seeing Hasselhoff's new book in B&N, picking it up and reading the two or three pages about J&H, but not buying it. (Sorry, David.)

I have all the CD versions, including the latest one with Rob Evan and Kate Schindle that sounds more like a flashback to the concept and road versions. Saw the actual show four times, in order: New York (Cuccioli, Linda Eder, Christiane Noll), road (Chuck Wagner, Sharon Brown, Andrea Rivette), New York (Jack Wagner, Coleen Sexton, Rivette), road (C. Wagner, Brown, Kelli O'Hara before her breakthrough). Most fascinating thing about that was, as many have noted, that the evolution and paring of the productions left the Broadway and road shows different.

I enjoyed the DVD version more the second time, because I was being realistic about Hasselhoff. Seems to me the problem with a DVD like this is we're willing to forgive some things in the theater because it proves we're seeing it "real" with no retakes, but DVD rubs our noses in the imperfections. (Cast albums remove warts, too; was Cuccioli as good in the theater as he sounds on the CD? Sure, I remember it that way, but maybe that's affected by hearing the CD over and over. My impression is even Jack Wagner was much better in the role than Hasselhoff, but maybe I wouldn't feel that way if I was seeing HIM on the DVD as the TV star attraction.

Most important: This is the real Broadway show with a darned good cast, including the second-tier folks who as far as I know stayed with it all the way through -- such as Barrie Ingham and George Merritt. Rivette is fine as Emma. Sexton, listed as being only 20 in the Playbill when I saw her, is excellent as Lucy and the fact that she was much younger than Eder makes their perfomances intriguingly different. (I see she's at last check a standby in Wicked tour.) And if you look close, you can even see Kelli O'Hara in the ensemble -- she's credited at the end of the DVD, otherwise I wouldn't have known to go back and spot her this time.

OK, now Hasselhoff...No, he is not even close to being as good as Cuccioli, and I assume many of the "alternates" who played the matinees, including Evan, would have been better on here. (I thought Chuck Wagner was just OK.) Hasselhoff's voice isn't "bad"; but it's a warble in the wrong places. He doesn't have an anthem voice. He NEEDS that head mike; I'm not sure Cuccioli always did.

But, darn it, he's not as bad as some of the reviews here make him sound. (Or maybe not as bad as I thought when I first saw this several years ago.) Plus, this role is hard, real hard, and I give him and Jack Wagner credit for having the nerve to take it on. Maybe if so many of us hadn't seen others play this "better," we wouldn't be as critical.

Final point: Perhaps without Hasselhoff doing this, the DVD and cable show - made with what seem to be fairly ambitious and expensive production values -- never would have been made. This isn't some guy sitting in the balcony with a camera and then selling the DVD on Canal Street. I'm assuming they needed a "name" to sell this aspect of the project and, sadly, maybe it's sold a lot more copies than it would have otherwise. Maybe Sebastian Bach or Jack Wagner would have been "enough"; maybe not.

So for all those reasons, I'm now more of a conditional defender of Hasselhoff and especially this DVD than I was when I first bought and watched it. I would have preferred they do whatever they had to do to get Cuccioli back in it for three months or something (Hasselhoff said in the book that he played only 72 performances), or gone with one of the "unsung" guys who are better, but if this was the approach they were going to have to take to get the whole cast and production on the pay-per-view and DVD, I'm OK with that. If you've NEVER seen any production of J&H, you probably won't be as horrified as many of the Jekkies. That's faint praise or no praise at all, I know. Hasselhoff is NOT good. But he is NOT that bad. Heck, if you must, when you get to his songs, put on Wilkinson or Cuccioli or Evan from one of the CDs. Sexton and the rest of the cast are worth seeing, and the production values on this are excellent.

a fantastic show.......2007-06-09

this show was one of the best presentations i have seen of this specific show. when i ordered the movie i was very cautious to how it was made and presented. however, after i watched the movie, i was thrilled on the success of there show. they did great and everyone should see this film.

Average customer rating:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff
A brillant show
Not a huge David fan
Hasselhoff notwithstanding, it's fun to see the real theater production again
a fantastic show

Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical
Starring: David Hasselhoff , Coleen Sexton , Andrea Rivette , George Merritt (III) , and Barrie Ingham
Director: Don Roy King
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000I2J6YG
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff.......2007-09-10

A brillant show.......2007-08-16

Not a huge David fan.......2007-08-16

Hasselhoff notwithstanding, it's fun to see the real theater production again.......2007-07-31

a fantastic show.......2007-06-09

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Average customer rating:

The definitive adaptation
Jack as Jec "Doctor Jeckyll and Mr Hyde"
A must see!
Wisdom Through Violence
a Faithful representation of the book

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Starring: Jack Palance , Denholm Elliott , Leo Genn , Torin Thatcher , and Rex Sevenoaks
Director: Charles Jarrott
Manufacturer: Mpi Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000060MVE
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Customer Reviews:

The definitive adaptation.......2007-01-09

Jack Palance will forever define the leading role in film adaptations of the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde tale. His style and appearance were a perfect match for the role. A must have for the classic horror movie enthusiast.

Jack as Jec "Doctor Jeckyll and Mr Hyde".......2006-11-16

This is a fast moving version of the Stevenson story that benifits from strong casting. Palance is an athletic and very menacing Hyde. The atmosphere of foggy London of the 1880's is captured quite nicely. All in all alot of fun to watch!

A must see!.......2006-08-24

This movie was the first movie version of Dr.Jekyll & Mr.Hyde that did not make me feel sorry for Dr.Jekyll at the end. The story telling and acting helped to bring forth the directors vision ( or at least what I believe is the directors vision) in showing the progression of Dr.Jekyll slowly becoming Mr.Hyde to the point where the only difference between one or the other is the face they wear.

Wisdom Through Violence.......2006-04-28

I agree with the other opinions that this version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale is by far the best adaptation to date. I actually give it 4 and 1/2 stars out of five. I'm still waiting for the film version that sticks strictly to the plot and outline of the original 1885 story. Anyway, the 1968 Dan Curtis production is the closest we have to the story and the most powerful (more than I can say for either the 1932 Frederic March flick or the 1941 Spencer Tracy effort). Jack Palance was tragically passed over for an Emmy and Golden Globe for his superb performance of Jekyll and Hyde. Having read the unabridged edition of Stevenson's tale and after seeing this film I realize (perhaps too late) how the story has always been a metaphor for drug addiction. Stevenson claimed he quickly wrote the story down after having a nightmare but this is hardly your typical Gothic horror tale. It's possible Stevenson never acknowledged the story's underlying genius. Whether we wish to admit it or not, Mr. Hyde exists in all of us and we all have our drug of choice (whether it be food, alcohol,presciption drugs, heroin, sex, religion, etc.) that can bring out the hidden realms of our personality. This is a lesson well taught by this wonderful and under-appreciated film. To paraphrase the words of one of the film's main characters, "If the wisdom of tomorrow is learned through the violence of today, can there really be a tomorrow?"

a Faithful representation of the book.......2005-09-04

. I first saw this TV presentation back in 1969. Then, a local PBS station, in 1978, rebroadcast this presentation in which I've made a VHS tape of that broadcast. Now, after searching, this broadcast is available on DVD.

Jack Palance did a superb performance in the title role. His portrayl as the timid doctor and as the monster were well acted. No other actor (even the original actor who was supposed to have this lead role if it wasn't for a strike that happened during the production, Jason Robards) could have filled the shoes as did Jack Palance.

The classic British scenery and atmosphere made the story more believable and more realistic-not as cardboard as the movies were of old and new.

Classic storytelling at its best.

American Silent Horror Collection (The Man Who Laughs/The Penalty/The Cat and the Canary/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde/Kingdom of Shadows) (5pc)

Average customer rating:

Great collection of silent horror films for a good price

American Silent Horror Collection (The Man Who Laughs/The Penalty/The Cat and the Canary/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde/Kingdom of Shadows) (5pc)
Starring: American Silent Horror Collection
Manufacturer: KINO VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000V3IXAA
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Customer Reviews:

Great collection of silent horror films for a good price.......2007-08-25

Just in time for Halloween Kino seems to be delivering a heavily discounted set of silent horror films. One is new to DVD, one is a new Kino DVD release, and the rest Kino has had around for some time at much higher individual prices than if you buy this collection. First some quibbling with the product details as currently displayed. The description I've seen says there are 5 discs, not 4. Also, I don't know where the run time of 70 minutes is coming from since each included movie is a feature-length film from the 1920's with the exception of "Kingdom of Shadows", which is a 1998 feature-length documentary about silent horror. Included is:

1. The Man Who Laughs (1928) - directed by Paul Leni. A boy, Gwynplaine, is punished for the deeds of his disobedient nobleman father by having a permanent smile carved into his face. He is left for dead, but survives. He rescues an orphaned infant girl, raises her, and becomes a clown. As the baby grows to adulthood, Gwynplaine's feelings toward her turn to love. However, he refuses to marry her because of his appearance. Meanwhile, a jester learns of Gwynplaine's true identity and informs the queen. Gwynplaine inspired the character of The Joker in the Batman comic series.

2. The Penalty (1920) - starring Lon Chaney. Chaney plays Blizzard, whose legs were needlessly amputated when he was a child. He overhears the doctors all agree to lie to cover up the mistake, and he grows up an embittered criminal out for revenge. The end takes a strange twist and is somewhat dissatisfying, but the first 80% of the film is great.

3. The Cat and the Canary (1927) - directed by Paul Leni. This is the Kino DVD debut of this film, and it will be available separately. A wealthy man's fortune is to go to the only heir left with his name - Annabelle - as long as she can be found to be sane. The person who is second in line is known only to the lawyer in possession of the will, who mysteriously disappears before he can make that person's name known. Numerous other events point to Annabelle perhaps being insane after all.

4. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) - starring John Barrymore. Later film adaptations may have been technically better, but Barrymore is the definitive Jekyll and Hyde through the strength of his range as an actor.

5. Kingdom of Shadows - a 1998 documentary narrated by Rod Steiger making its debut on DVD. Its subject is the development of horror cinema from the birth of film to the end of the silent era. The documentary includes some stunning imagery via film clips from Nosferatu, The Golem, Haxan, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Faust, and many others. The bad part of this documentary is the annoying narration. Steiger whispers and mumbles throughout and even does so during the playing of the film clips, which can be quite distracting.

Van Helsing - The London Assignment (Animated)

Average customer rating:

A New Opening
Van Helsing
good
"Van-Fluff", the perfect way to describe it.
Even Worse Than The Movie

Van Helsing - The London Assignment (Animated)
Starring: Hugh Jackman , Robbie Coltrane , David Wenham , Grey DeLisle , and Dwight Schultz
Director: Sharon Bridgeman
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001CNRNY
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com

Van Helsing: The London Assignment is a wild and clever animated prequel, slightly more than a half-hour, to the live-action hit film about 19th-century monster hunter Dr. Gabriel Van Helsing. Set just before actor Hugh Jackman's dark hero heads off for battle with Count Dracula in Eastern Europe, The London Assignment finds Van Helsing attempting to stop Dr. Jekyll, and the latter's terrifying associate, Mr. Hyde, from their bizarre and bloody quest to turn septuagenarian Queen Victoria into a lovelorn girl again. While the widescreen artistry is often brutal, it is also breathtaking, especially in a fantastic chase sequence involving train cars. Besides Jackman, several actors from the feature lend voices to their cartoon counterparts, including Robbie Coltrane (as Hyde), Alun Armstrong (as Cardinal Jinette), and David Wenhman (as sidekick Carl). Special features include an incisive interview with Jackman about his character. --Tom Keogh

Description

Combining thrilling adventure and cutting edge animation, Van Helsing: The London Assignment is the original prequel that unlocks the incredible story behind Van Helsing and Mr. Hyde. Deep in the heart of London, the demonic creature, Mr. Hyde, terrorizes the late-night streets in a haunting crime spree. With the city in a panic, the Knights of the Holy Order send Van Helsing into London with the mission of tracking down and capturing the evil Mr. Hyde. Featuring the voice of Hugh Jackman, this original animated film will thrill you with non-stop adventure and give you an inside look into the world of Van Helsing.

Customer Reviews:

A New Opening.......2007-01-10

The Van Helsing movie opens with Van Helsing in a final battle with Mr. Hyde in Paris. This short animated adventure tells you how he got to that point. Van Helsing and Carl travel to London to investigate some sinister killings of young prostitutes. But the chase leads to far more complex plots than just the killing on young women.

Van Helsing gets tied up in a plot that involved Dr. Jekyll who is physician to Queen Victoria. The not-so-good doctor is obsessed with the Queen and has devised a plot to further his own ends with her. As we know from the full-length movie, Mr. Hyde manages to get to Paris. I won't reveal who the battles progress or the details of the plot but I found it to be rather entertaining. Other than Mr. Hyde being huge (taken from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) unlike in Stevenson's book where Hyde is smaller than Jekyll, the story doesn't twist his tale as much as that of Dracula in the longer feature.

The animation is clean and the voices are true (Hugh Jackman and others from the feature film). If you enjoyed the feature film then you are sure to enjoy this one as it is very true to the movie (other than Carl being in the field). Check it out.

Van Helsing.......2006-08-17

I rate this cartoon movie at three stars, but the documentary is worthy of 5 stars. Its actually worth the price just for the documentary. Its basically a great making of feature about the 2004 Van Helsing film.

good.......2005-11-16

This movie is reasonably good. It's something to watch when you're bored but don't want to sit through a long, gritty movie. The London Assignment is short, sweet, and packs quite a bit into it.

"Van-Fluff", the perfect way to describe it........2005-09-04

This over all prequel to motion picture is just an overblown fluff piece that could have been saved or perhaps will show up on the eventual DVD release of Van Helsing.

The animation feature is nicely done and the sound is great. The supliments are more or less a kind of press junket for te feature film follow-up.

At only a half-hour running time, you wish it was at least 80 mins. Hugh Jackman and the cast provide voice talent to bring this 'teaser' to life.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Even Worse Than The Movie.......2005-05-27

Well, they did it with the Riddick series and it succeded, so I guess Universal decided it would work for Van Helsing as well. This is one of the hugest pieces of crap I've ever seen make it to DVD. Everything about it including the music and voices make it seem like some episode of a boring Saturday morning cartoon. From the first minute of it I was wishing for it to be over, and when it was I was happier than ever. If you didn't like the movie you'll probably hate this, likewise if you didn't like this but haven't seen the movie I doubt you'll like it either. If you liked the movie and haven't seen this I can't guarantee you'll like this short. Universal Studios have never sank so low in the history of their moviemaking.

Average customer rating:

for lover's of rene
THE ADULT VERSION OF JEKYLL & HIDE!
Warped..of course!
Cool

Adult Version of Jekyll & Hide
Starring: Laurie Rose , Rene Bond , Jane Louise , Linda York , and Jack Buddliner
Director: Byron Mabe , and Lee Raymond
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305836922
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Description

Jekyll and Hyde get a sex change! When slimy stud Dr. Chris Leeder (Jack Buddliner) takes possession of Dr. Jekyll's ancient notebook, he quickly becomes obsessed with the murderous sex crimes of the original Mr. Hide. Ignoring the notebook's warning that the Jekyll and Hyde formula "makes people appear as they really are," the demented doc mixes the potion and promptly turns into..."Miss Hyde" (Jane Tsentas), a sexy blonde in a mini-skirt who just happens to be a homicidal nymphomaniac! After enjoying a lesbian romp with Leeder's secretary (legendary skinflick starlet Rene Bond), and the sadistic slaughter of a drunken sailor (ouch!), Miss Hide decides to pay a visit to Leeder's fiancee (Jennifer Brooks) and permanently cancel the wedding...Gender-bending adult horror, "The Adult Version of Jekyll & Hide" is another outrageous classic from the Mighty Monarch of Sexploitation, producer David F. Friedman.

Customer Reviews:

for lover's of rene.......2007-04-08

really only good if you are a rene bond completist, there is much of her here but not much else when she isn't

THE ADULT VERSION OF JEKYLL & HIDE!.......2001-10-04

Yes! Before there was BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA! Before there was MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTIN! There was THE ADULT VERSION OF JEKYLL & HIDE! That's right, its HIDE not HYDE! Because in this ADULTS ONLY version of the famous story by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (Author of TREASURE ISLAND and other great books!) the good doctor is interested in the murderous sex crimes of the ORIGINAL Mr. Hyde! When he recreates the experiments he transforms into--(wait for it!)--the blonde bombshell Miss Hyde! Not to worry, this alter ego also has an APPETITE for SEX and MURDER! This is a film that knows what the audiences wanted in 1972 and certainly tries to give it to them! And with this DVD you get the proverbial much, much more! AUDIO COMMENTARY from the producer! Plus neat stuff from the FRIEDMAN GALLERY OF EXPLOITATIVE ART! Oh, and the ORIGINAL TRAILER!

Warped..of course!.......2001-02-25

Being a fan of all things "Dr.J/ Hyde" I sought out this curio for the sheer novelty of the thing. It's definitely not for everyone (buy YOU aren't everyone or else you wouldn't be reading this review!!) so the cult-film fanatic will enjoy. Basic story with the good doctor discovering Dr.Jekyll's old diary. That's basically the story with the doc transforming into a beatiful babe about mid-way through. Some masochistic violence (Hyde-style) ensues. Cool T&A throughout. The three rating is for good cult-film style fun, with 1 star for "Ms.Hide"?

Cool.......2000-07-06

Not much for storyline here. It's a classic Jekyll and Hyde movie with probably more T&A then needed. But I mean, come on, you don't watch these movies for the great story, right>

Average customer rating:

Doc Jekyl and Kung-Fu Hyde
underrated action film
Adam Baldwin
Um...
NICE TRY BUT DISAPPOINTING RESOLUTION

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Steve Bastoni , Anthony Wong , Jason Chong , and Karen Cliche
Director: Colin Budds
Manufacturer: Mti Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005Q2ZM
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com

Any connection to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic horror tale is tenuous at best in this action-packed superhero story with dark undertones. Adam Baldwin is San Francisco surgeon Henry Jekyll, whose honeymoon in Hong Kong becomes a nightmare when a triad gang murders his wife and marks him for death. Saved by a mysterious Chinese healer who speaks in fortune cookie clichés, he becomes a kind of hero-in-training (think The Karate Kid and Mr. Miyagi) with a mystic twist: he discovers the herbal formula to release his inner brute and transforms into a demonic-looking Hyde. The colorful mix of cop show, gangster thriller, and mystic martial arts adventure ends on an anticlimactic note, as if this made-for-TV feature was the pilot for a never-launched TV series, but it's an energetic and spirited film that, for all its kooky clichés, remains oddly compelling. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Doc Jekyl and Kung-Fu Hyde.......2006-02-19

This is the loosest adaptation of anything I've ever seen. In fact, loose doesn't even begin to describe it. What Sci-Fi has done is taken the title of the Robert Louis Stevenson's novella in order to draw viewers in, and nothing else.

The TV movie follows Dr. Henry Jekyll, now a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. The entire supporting cast of Stevenson's story, even in name, is nonexistent. Jekyll travels to China with his new bride for a honeymoon. There he encounters Chinese mobsters who maim the doctor, kill his wife, and leave him for revenge.

Up to this point, the movie had potential. An action-adventure vigilante retelling of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" might have been worth seeing. Unfortunately, the movie never even tries to live up to its source material. Dr. Jekyll apprentices himself to a local medicine man and studies martial arts under the name "Edward Hyde." It looks like Sci-Fi had to throw both of those names in there somewhere in order to keep the title. Eventually, in the final third of the movie, Dr. Jekyll does make a medicine that gives him glowing eyes, sharp teeth, and a killer edge. But Stevenson's theme of the struggle between good and evil inside of every man is unexplored. If Sci-Fi was going to take the title, they should have at the very least tried to stay true to the theme. Under the influence of the medicine, Dr. Jekyll is aware, even more aware, of what he is doing. Mr. Hyde is all alias, no altar ego.

The acting performances are solid, but the movie is hard to enjoy when it begs to be compared to its classic source material. Before the halfway point of the movie, the "Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson" in the credits seems like a bold-faced lie. If you enjoy American-in-China-karate-action movies, and you have nothing better to watch, try this on for size. If you're looking for an adaptation of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", avoid this, or you'll be sorely disappointed.

By the way, the recent "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" was a better Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde action movie.

underrated action film.......2006-02-17

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was a pleasant surprise. We thought it would be the usual kung foo action film, instead found it to be full of gentle humor, Chinese medicine, and interesting characters. Adam Baldwin(Dr. Jekyll) and Chang Tseng(Dr. Chau) relate extremely well to each other and have a unique student-teacher relationship. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie.

Adam Baldwin.......2005-11-24

He makes me swoon... and I was surprised to see him in something not half bad. The lack of resolution makes me wish it had been fleshed out into a series, but still overall enjoyable.

Um..........2005-10-27

Quick thing to the last reviewer. Adam can't do his brothers proud- HE'S NOT A BALDWIN BROTHER. Take it from someone who carpools with his kids, that mistake ticks him off

NICE TRY BUT DISAPPOINTING RESOLUTION.......2005-10-06

Francis Ford Coppola executive produced this film for his Zoetrope studios, and it must have been a pilot for a failed tv series, as it has no real resolution. Giving the classic story a new twist, it has nothing to do with its classic source, but instead is almost a transcendtalized superhero movie with a buff and surprisingly effective Adam Baldwin inhabiting the dual roles. Full of mystic mumbojumbo and some fairly well staged karate fights, this version gives us the dual-faced doctor as a vengeful fellow out to avenge the brutal murder of his bride on their honeymoon in Hong Kong. Baldwin teams up with a Chinese fairy godfather and learns the ins and outs of herbal medicine in his attempts to bring down the bad guys. Not bad but since we don't get a resolution, one feels a little cheated.

Average customer rating:

Pleasant Surprise
"Redfield...Torrez...Engler...Randolph...Voytilla ~ Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (2002)"
Lame Retread
Redfield's Performance

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Starring: Mark Redfield
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Product Features:

Platform:  DVD MOVIE  Publisher:  ALPHA VIDEO  Packaging:  DVD STYLE BOX  From London's fog-shrouded back alleys to the palaces of the rich, Jekyll's obsessions and Hyde's destructive lusts combine to make a cocktail of mayhem, madness and finally, murder.This thrilling new blood-drenched adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's chilling classic

ASIN: B0002HODVI
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Product Description

From London's fog-shrouded back alleys to the palaces of the rich, Jekyll's obsessions and Hyde's destructive lusts combine to make a cocktail of mayhem, madness and finally, murder.

This thrilling new blood-drenched adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson

Customer Reviews:

Pleasant Surprise.......2007-01-31

Forget the film's low budget; Redfield alone makes this one well-worth the price and the time. He is a very gifted and natural actor who gives new life to Stevenson's two-sided character. The entire cast is way above average, including Elena Torrez, who is mesmerizing as Claire, Kosha Engler as Jekyll's ill-fated fiance and Carl Randolph as his friend and confidant; but it is Redfield's film and he gives us a Jekyll and Hyde we are not likely to forget. Given the mostly lame fare Hollywood is turning out these days, it's encouraging to see professionals of this caliber produce entertaining films like this one.

"Redfield...Torrez...Engler...Randolph...Voytilla ~ Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (2002)".......2006-08-25

Alpha New Cinema present "Mark Redfield's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (2002)...The cinema has a long, illustrious line of some of the greatest actors who portrayed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on big screen (John Barrymore, Frederic March, Spencer Tracy and Jack Palance.)...and now with Mark Redfield gives them all an artistic run for the money, yes Redfield is that good...Redfield has created both a kinder, gentler Jekyll and a vicious, more brutal Hyde... unpredictable you are always trying to guess his next move, but alas he gets you everytime...take note that Redfield is suave and debonair as Jekyll, sinister and scary as Hyde, his performance in both roles is impeccable.....don't miss a single spine tingling scene.

Under director Mark Redfield, associate producers Tom Brandau and Thomas E. Cole, executive producer Terry Woods, producers Stuart Voytilla and Mark Redfield, writing credits of Mark Redfield and Stuart Voytilla, based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", original music Nalin Taneja, special makeup effects artist by Bob Yoho . . . . . cast includes Mark Redfield (Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde), Elena Torrez (Claire Caine), Kosha Engler (Miriam Carew), Carl Randolph (Gabriel Utterson), Howell Roberts (Lord Ashton), R. Scott Thompson (Mordecai Carew), E. John Edmonds (Sir Danvers Carew), Jeff Miller (James Parker), J.R. Lyston (Detective Inspector Newcommen/Additional Voices), James Nalitz (Poole), Jennifer Cortese (Alberta), Josh Petroski (Henderson), Robert Leembruggen (Jack Little), Ronald Burr (Cobb), Alena Wright (Annie Jackson), Melanie Ambridge (Ashton's Patient), Nicole Stover Woods (Little Girl on Street), Brad Marshall (Dr. Humbolt), Tom Brandau (Mr. Clarkson/Additional Voices), B. Thomas Rinaldi (Bertelli), Chuck Richards (Dr. Hastie Lanyon), James Mills (Louis Lumiere), Brian Naughton (Auguste Lumiere), James Griffith (Coachman), Randolph Aitken (Williams (as Randy Aitken), Martin Thompson (Featured Player), James Laster (Featured Player), Leo King (Featured Player), Joel Mason (Featured Player), James Hackman (Featured Player), Hawkins Weber (Chaing/Additional Voices), Keith Thompson (Detective Charles Spottiswoode) . . . . . .our story opens with this statement - "More than one hundred years ago, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a story about a man whose experiments with the human soul have since become legend. The tale is still told with horror the world over...it is the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"...our journey takes us through old London in 1900...Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men, a good and an evil side...also believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated...Jekyll succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes...when he discontinues use of the drug it is already too late...the entire production has an excellent cast, outstanding performances, top notch scenery and a mesmerizing score...Best Independent Film from the Festival of Fantastic Films, Best Actress Elena Torrez from the Shockerfest USA and especially that of Mark Redfield for Best Actor, his portrayal is compelling from beginning to end from the Shockerfest USA, Shriekfest Award given in recognition of Mark Redfield's work as an actor, writer, director, and producer.

BONUS FEATURES:
1. Trailers
2. Deleted Scenes
3. Audio Commentary by Director
4. "The Making of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde".

Great job by Alpha Video for releasing "Mark Redfield's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (2002)...looking forward to more releases from the vintage horror era of the '30s, '40s & '50s...order your copy now from Amazon or Alpha Video where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for original horror entertainment...just the way we like 'em

Total Time: 110 mins on DVD ~ Alpha Video 1008D ~ (8/31/2004)

Lame Retread.......2005-02-27

I love low budget independent films and had high hopes for this one. But this film is static. Never mind the production value, which is very noble for its budget, but the pacing is deadly. Admittedly these folks achieve much with little, but the film fails on the most fundamental level. It's boring. The editing is glacial and the pacing stalls. It should have been 65 minutes. The best thing about the Dr. Jekyll is Mr. Hyde who isn't seen nearly enough. He had the most dramatic potential. Instead we have to suffer through dithering Baltimorean-Brits stammer through endless and tiresome exposition. It feels like a backwater stage play committed to video.

Noble efforts by everyone in the production, but a story this tired needed a kick in the pants and funky new low budget technology should have given it a fresh voice. Instead it's just a lame retread.

Redfield's Performance.......2004-09-21

All I can say is that Redfield plays Jekyll and Hyde like no one has since Fredric March! Brilliant! The interesting spin on his version of the character(s) is that Hyde is possibly the true self and that Jekyll was always a mask. His twisted, wild eyed, dwarfish, satyr-like Hyde is truer to Stevenson's description than the hairy ape/wolf-man that people usually associate with the character. He plays Hyde with an almost comical glee, similar to March's performance. Evil can be humorous in a twisted ironic way. Script-wise it follows the original story closer than any film before it. We don't find out until toward the end that Jekyll and Hyde are the same person. But there were some surprising and unnecessary deviations from the story. For example, Sir Danvers has a son (?!) who Hyde kills instead of him (taking much of the horror away from the story as his son is almost as odious as Hyde. You're glad he gets killed), Hyde kills his mistress' lover instead of her, he reveals his secret to Dr. Lanyon's assistant instead of him, and a gun inexplicably explodes in hyde's hand maiming him (I'm still trying to figure out why this was put in the story) just to name a few. Also this film is one of the lowest budgeted modern indi films I've ever seen. The streets of London are miniatures with the actors cheaply superimposed upon them. It seems all the money went into making Mr. Hyde's excellent makeup, that they had to go and use cheap, $3.00 Halloween beards and moustache's that neither looked remotely real or even matched the actors hair color. It would have been better to leave the actors clean shaven. And Sir Danvers's snobbish son... with a modern gelled crew-cut?! Although the acting is forced at times, and downright bad at others, for the most part it's decent. Redfield's acting however is exceptional. Yes, I recommend sitting through the faker than fake beards, zero budget not-so-special fx, and bad acting just to see this guy play Jekyll & Hyde. It's truly inspired! Enough for me to give the film 4 stars. Plus it's a cheap DVD, so what do you have to lose?

Average customer rating:

One of the greatest silent films.
The first US horror film
The absolute best looking version, however.....
Wow!
A Weird But Good Movie From The Silent Movie Era!

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Starring: John Barrymore , Charles Lane (III) , Brandon Hurst , Cecil Clovelly , and Nita Naldi
Director: John S. Robertson
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005O5CF
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Amazon.com

It took John Barrymore to bring class to the American horror film, at least in the eyes of the industry. Dignified and virtuous as Dr. Henry Jekyll in this 1920 silent, Barrymore transforms into id incarnate as the lascivious Mr. Hyde. With almost no makeup beyond his gnarled, knobby fingers and greasy hair, Barrymore relies almost solely on a bug-eyed grimace, a spidery body language, and pure theatrical flourish. He tends to be hammy as the leering beast of a thug but brings a tortured struggle to the repressed doctor, horrified at the demon he's unleashed, guilty that he enjoys Hyde's unrestrained life of drinking and whoring, and terrified that he can no longer control the transformations. Martha Mansfield costars as his pure and innocent sweetheart, and Nita Naldi (the vamp of Blood and Sand) has a small but memorable role as the world-weary dance hall darling who first "wakens" Jekyll's "baser nature." --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

One of the greatest silent films........2007-05-13

I wish I could've been around when this movie first came out. For its time it is a truly shocking and horrific movie. As it stands I think it is one of the gems from the silent picture films era. It really tries very hard to delve into the difference between good and evil and the effects of it on a man who learns how to split himself into both. A really excellent film and a fantastic performance by John Barrymore with an excellent supporting cast. It's easy to see why Mr. Barrymore was one of the finest actors of his day. Enjoy!

The first US horror film.......2006-06-17

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has long been hailed as a classic by critics and audiences alike, both the story itself and the classic with John Barrymore. The film was made in 1920 and is truly a silent film as the only noise in the whole film is the theatre organ. It is of course designed as a suspense/horror film and although the scares are mostly psychological, it is definitely a classic in the horror genre. This was one of the very first Jekyll and Hyde films preceded only by the 1911/1912 version starring famed director James Cruz; there was also "Januskopf, Der" also in 1920 but released in the UK and probably without the appropriate rights as was "Nosferatu" by the same director. And of course the third 1920 film with Sheldon Lewis that seems to get few accolades and is normally mentioned so people can get the good version with Mr. Barrymore. This version was directed by John S. Robertson and is definitely the best portrayal of the Robert Louis Stevenson story I have seen thus far.

The classic story line is of course known by many. Dr. Jekyll, a kind and decent paragon of society starts experimenting with various potions, and hits upon one that turns himself into a fully realized personification of his dark side. The person Jekyll holds responsible is the father of his beloved Millicent, whose cynical nature opens the door to his baser instincts and his fascination with the dual personality. Despite my familiarity with the story the script was very unpredictable right up to the ending, it was very difficult to tell what was going to happen next which for a silent film is remarkable. This is often considered the first US horror film, and even though the "scare" factor is not necessarily there..... the film is ungodly creepy which is normal of older horror films as they played more on suspense than sheer terror. I think this film ranks up there with the original "house on haunted hill" as one of the best suspense films of all time. The creep factor is very evident especially in some of the later scenes, and John Barrymore does an amazing job of doing Hyde with no facial makeup which in my opinion makes this the best treatment of the story. The basic concept of the story is a split personality so Hyde being a grotesque mockery of Jekyll's appearance versus an entirely different creature as in later films, stays truer to that concept. It also makes one get downright chills after the transformation. The only downside of this film is the soundtrack which seems to have no bearing on the events of the film at all and would best be described as church organ wankery, although even with this the quality of the film was not detracted from too much. Hopefully it will eventually get a new soundtrack such as "Nosferatu" did--but due to the fact the organ is the only sound, if I require sound next time I watch it I will just gather some classical music together. This film is difficult to watch for someone from the generation of talkies--I am quite used to older films, but silent films especially one such as this with very few title cards requires full 100 percent attention as it is very easy to miss things, and I did not realize until watching this film how often I space out for a minute or so. This fact shows how good a film it is, as once resigned to full attention you find yourself wanting to keep that full attention. This story is riveting and is much like reading a book as there are many things left to the imagination as there is much action and dialogue between the characters; but there are not title cards for all the dialogue. I found myself extrapolating and imagining what the actors were saying either based on the visuals or the title cards that have been displayed. Even though it may be difficult for the talkies generation, there are a wealth of silent films and any horror buff needs to see this to understand what the beginning of horror filming was like.

The star of this film is of course John Barrymore, whose acting is a standout among all the other principles in this film, through his grimace and general creepy way of moving as Hyde his is a standout performance above all the rest, and even though it is surprising that he is the only one of his siblings that has never been nominated or won any awards it is not surprising that he is now known as the best actor out of all of them. I will be honest, other than Martha Mansfield's depiction of Millicent, Jekyll's fiancé, none of the other actors were particularly noticeable in their roles. Ms. Mansfield's emotions and acting as she grew more and more concerned about her fiancé were a delight on the screen and as she had very few displayed lines on screen almost everything with her part was done visually. As for the other actors everyone did a decent job at their role but no one really stood out on an acting level.

The photography of this film was very basic, partially due to the time and also I believe the direction. There are many wide shots in the film, that jump to close-ups which make the actions very effective. There were very few heavy close-ups although there were some, it seemed as if they went out of their way to avoid any strong close-ups of Mr. Hyde--in some case the shot would widen out on his transformation, which was also a good illustration of how painful that transformation was. As disturbing as Mr. Hyde's appearance is, I am glad there are not any extreme close ups of his vile countenance. The other main aspect I noticed was the film started out very light, and near the end of the film there were more and more low key scenes, leading up to the finale. And in regards to Millicent; most if not all of the shots that involve her are high key lighting, which further magnifies her character's virtuousness on the audience.

All in all my silent film experience was excellent, and I am glad that I picked one that was completely silent excluding the church organ. It was a very good film, and the comparisons between a silent film and reading a book are many. There is much more room for imagination on films such as these and due to the silent nature you cannot turn around or space a section as you can miss quite a bit. There is a large focus on characterization and acting as a whole--- even though there were few standouts, the actors have to work much harder in a film with no sound and low instances of dialogue to make the film a good watch. The imagination factor comes in on sound effects quite a bit as with this film there are none. Every scream, every hit of the club and every gasp have to be imagined, and for a horror film makes it that much scarier. Just like in older horror films where music is used minimally to focus on the events, having no sound effects at all really puts you in the hot seat as what we imagine is always scarier than what someone else can put on the screen.

The absolute best looking version, however............2006-04-26

This Kino edition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with John Barrymore is the first US horror film. One of his very best. The sets are wonderful and the time period costumes make this a very realistic looking film. This Kino version is by far the best quality print (35mm) and the picture quality is excellent, not dark and sharp and clear. However, this version on Kino seems to be edited. Some scenes seem to stop short before they are finished. Perhaps some of the footage was either missing or was so deteriorated that Kino chose not to include it. I previously owned the Image version of this film, and while the picture quality is no where near the Kino version, I seem to remember that the footage that is missing on the Kino version, is on the Image version. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this. Oh well, considering that this film is over 85 years old, I am happy that a very satisfying version is now available on dvd. Thanks Kino, for a job very well done. I also appreciate the bonus materials at the end of the film. In particular the 1909 audio recording of the transformation of Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. Also the Stan Laurel spoof is nice (but not particularly funny). This is a must dvd for any collection, silent or sound.

Wow!.......2006-03-16

This is an excellent silent film. John Barrymore's performance is outstanding and the film looks great, considering its age. Highly recommended.

A Weird But Good Movie From The Silent Movie Era!.......2005-06-21

This is a great and spooky movie from the 1920's and based on an old classic horror book. John Barrymore (Drews's great grandfather) Stars as Dr. Jekyll and his evil and scary alter ego Mr. Hyde who is the result of some weird experiment he has performed. I recommend this movie!

DVD:

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