Hammer were responsible for some of the best films in the genres, some near-classics and an even larger number of very good films. Though, like most studios, they were not without their misses. While I wouldn't go as far to call The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll a miss as such it does disappoint, considering it's directed by Terrence Fisher(who directed some of Hammer's best films) and that it starred Christopher Lee.
The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is a better film than it is reputed to be. It looks great with colourful and atmospheric photography, ravishing use of colour and sumptuous sets and evocative in its period detail. Fisher's direction is not him at his most involved, but he keeps things moving swiftly mostly and he shows great technical assurance and a feel for atmosphere. The music score is hauntingly dramatic, while the script while with its rambling moments is still thought-provoking and flows reasonably well. The film also has such an interesting idea going for it, fair play to the film for giving a much-adapted story an original twist. The story is less than perfect but it still entertains and has some good atmosphere, with the final act evoking some chills, it has some bold themes for the time and the snake charmer dance is unforgettably sensual. There are some good performances with Christopher Lee coming out on top, it is an atypical role for him and he does smarmy, handsome charm and lecherous truly excellently. Dawn Addams shows that she can do more than just being there looking pretty, handling the fiery and meek aspects of her character believably. Look out too for a brief appearance from a young Oliver Reed before he went on to give a riveting lead performance in Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf. Paul Massie, in an uneven dual performance rather than a good or bad one, scores far better as Hyde than as Jekyll, he performs Hyde with menace and real gusto if not without the tendency to overdo it at times.
Massie disappoints however as Jekyll, he is rather dull and unmotivated, even sounding bored. While the story has its compelling moments and an interesting concept, it doesn't always explain its ideas enough so things did feel under-explained. It also, excepting some of the last act, falls far short in scares and suspense, some of the middle act drags quite badly and the dance hall and Jekyll's guilty emotions outbursts(which had the worst of the rambling) go on for too long and slow the film down.
All in all, The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is better than it's made out to be by some but Hammer have done far better before and since. 6/10 Bethany Cox
The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is a better film than it is reputed to be. It looks great with colourful and atmospheric photography, ravishing use of colour and sumptuous sets and evocative in its period detail. Fisher's direction is not him at his most involved, but he keeps things moving swiftly mostly and he shows great technical assurance and a feel for atmosphere. The music score is hauntingly dramatic, while the script while with its rambling moments is still thought-provoking and flows reasonably well. The film also has such an interesting idea going for it, fair play to the film for giving a much-adapted story an original twist. The story is less than perfect but it still entertains and has some good atmosphere, with the final act evoking some chills, it has some bold themes for the time and the snake charmer dance is unforgettably sensual. There are some good performances with Christopher Lee coming out on top, it is an atypical role for him and he does smarmy, handsome charm and lecherous truly excellently. Dawn Addams shows that she can do more than just being there looking pretty, handling the fiery and meek aspects of her character believably. Look out too for a brief appearance from a young Oliver Reed before he went on to give a riveting lead performance in Hammer's Curse of the Werewolf. Paul Massie, in an uneven dual performance rather than a good or bad one, scores far better as Hyde than as Jekyll, he performs Hyde with menace and real gusto if not without the tendency to overdo it at times.
Massie disappoints however as Jekyll, he is rather dull and unmotivated, even sounding bored. While the story has its compelling moments and an interesting concept, it doesn't always explain its ideas enough so things did feel under-explained. It also, excepting some of the last act, falls far short in scares and suspense, some of the middle act drags quite badly and the dance hall and Jekyll's guilty emotions outbursts(which had the worst of the rambling) go on for too long and slow the film down.
All in all, The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll is better than it's made out to be by some but Hammer have done far better before and since. 6/10 Bethany Cox