“The man who could cheat death” (1959) from director Terence Fisher a remake of the Paramount Pictures 40’s chiller “The man in half moon street” tells the story of Dr. Georges Bonner (Anton Diffring) a brilliant physician/sculptor/heartbreaker who’s the toast of 1890s Paris.
When we meet the doctor he’s unveiling of his latest female bust sculpture to several guests Georges callously informs his latest subject matter that he won’t see her any more. When suddenly Janine Du Bois (Hazel Court) a previous model of his comes to the party in the company of dashing young doctor, Pierre Gerard (Christopher Lee), it’s very apparent that things between Janine and Georges aren't resolved this begins a complicated love triangle in which Anton’s doctor character is hiding a deep, dark secret he’s not in his mid 30’s and is actually 104 years old.
Over many years with the help of ageing his old friend and collaborator Dr Ludwig Weiss (Arnold Marlé) have kept Georges young for an unnaturally long time and if he doesn’t have a specific operation using the “uter parathyroid” gland from dead people in the days ahead, the years are going to come catching up quickly. When Dr Weiss refuses to do the surgery he begs his love rival to do the op the clock is ticking for the century's old Bonner.
Jimmy Sangsters script has traits of classic mad scientist yarns mixed with Jekyll and Hyde Georges must take a potion at regular intervals to staiff off his escalated ageing process if late goes into a homicidal rage, turns green, and somehow can burn off the flesh of unfortunate victims by touch alone. The film also includes several heated debates such as is the young doctor is really concerned with the betterment of mankind, or his own selfish indulgence particularly his lust for the voluptuous Janine dressed in for the time revealing outfits.
“The man who could cheat death” re-released on dual format edition from Eurkea! is a good looking but dull film from hammer films the production design by Bernard Robinson and camera work from Jack Asher are effectively presented in 1080P but Terrence Fisher's uninspired direction despite good performances and a rushed ending “The man who…” is a minor chiller not peaking the heights of the studio's classic collaborations with Peter Cushing and the late great Mr Lee.
Much like the release of “The Skull” the disc contains two informative interviews with noted film expert's Kim Newman and Jonathan Rigby both gentleman discusses the history of the Gothic horror studio Hammer,the movies they produced and how the “The man who could cheat death” came together a film initially meant as a vehicle for Peter Cushing but left due to script problems & exhaustion.
When we meet the doctor he’s unveiling of his latest female bust sculpture to several guests Georges callously informs his latest subject matter that he won’t see her any more. When suddenly Janine Du Bois (Hazel Court) a previous model of his comes to the party in the company of dashing young doctor, Pierre Gerard (Christopher Lee), it’s very apparent that things between Janine and Georges aren't resolved this begins a complicated love triangle in which Anton’s doctor character is hiding a deep, dark secret he’s not in his mid 30’s and is actually 104 years old.
Over many years with the help of ageing his old friend and collaborator Dr Ludwig Weiss (Arnold Marlé) have kept Georges young for an unnaturally long time and if he doesn’t have a specific operation using the “uter parathyroid” gland from dead people in the days ahead, the years are going to come catching up quickly. When Dr Weiss refuses to do the surgery he begs his love rival to do the op the clock is ticking for the century's old Bonner.
Jimmy Sangsters script has traits of classic mad scientist yarns mixed with Jekyll and Hyde Georges must take a potion at regular intervals to staiff off his escalated ageing process if late goes into a homicidal rage, turns green, and somehow can burn off the flesh of unfortunate victims by touch alone. The film also includes several heated debates such as is the young doctor is really concerned with the betterment of mankind, or his own selfish indulgence particularly his lust for the voluptuous Janine dressed in for the time revealing outfits.
“The man who could cheat death” re-released on dual format edition from Eurkea! is a good looking but dull film from hammer films the production design by Bernard Robinson and camera work from Jack Asher are effectively presented in 1080P but Terrence Fisher's uninspired direction despite good performances and a rushed ending “The man who…” is a minor chiller not peaking the heights of the studio's classic collaborations with Peter Cushing and the late great Mr Lee.
Much like the release of “The Skull” the disc contains two informative interviews with noted film expert's Kim Newman and Jonathan Rigby both gentleman discusses the history of the Gothic horror studio Hammer,the movies they produced and how the “The man who could cheat death” came together a film initially meant as a vehicle for Peter Cushing but left due to script problems & exhaustion.
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