Written and directed by Walerian Borowczyk
Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson
Starring Udo Kier, Marina Pierro, Patrick Magee, Howard Vernon and Gerard Zalcberg
France/West Germany, 1981
There’s a possibility THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson is the most-often adapted book in cinematic history. It certainly seems to be in horror film history. Here’s yet another adaptation, this time with the twist of being told through the eyes of Jekyll’s fiancé, as played by Marina Pierro.
Unlike other renderings of the tale, this one all takes place over the course of one evening as Jekyll’s engagement party descends into a murderous orgy of bloody torture. One after another dignitary and/or relative falls prey to Jekyll’s evil alter-ego, Mr. Hyde. This time out, Jekyll and Hyde are played by two different actors – Udo Kier as the “good” doctor, and Gerard Zalcberg as the evil Hyde. It’s an interesting choice, and they’re good in their roles, but I can’t help but think Kier would have been right at home doing double duty.
As for the movie itself, while it’s handsomely shot, it’s kind of the sort of thing where you have to like it BECAUSE of the violence and not in spite of it… so, it wasn’t super engaging beyond the initial premise and a mild curiosity as to what would end up happening.
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