Review of The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll

1874, London. Obsessive and reclusive weakling Dr. Jekyll (superbly played by Paul Massie) creates a formula that causes him to transform into his evil and impulsive id run amok alter ego Mr. Edward Hyde, who stirs up much trouble and eventually tries to take over Jekyll's meek personality altogether. Director Terence Fisher and writer Wolf Mankowitz offer a sound, absorbing and surprisingly elegant psychological take on the often told tale along with a flavorsome evocation of the Victorian era. This film further benefits from splendid acting from a top-notch cast: Massie delivers an impressively anguished portrayal of a tormented split personality in the demanding lead role, Dawn Adams brings real class and poise as Jekyll's fed-up faithless wife Kitty, the always great Christopher Lee positively oozes smarm as Kitty's shameless ne'er-do-well gambler lover Paul Allen, ravishing brunette beauty Norma Marla burns up the screen as fiery, sultry dancer Maria (her introductory snake dance set piece is memorably sexy), and David Kossoff does well as Jekyll's wise, concerned colleague Dr. Ernest Littauer. Better still, this movie rates as pretty bold stuff for the decade it was made in: we've got opium smoking, adultery, implied nudity, mild profanity, and even (offscreen) rape. Having the wimpy and homely, but humane and pleasant Jekyll turn into the suave and handsome, yet foul and caddish Hyde is a very nice touch, thereby suggesting it's what's on the inside that makes a man either good or bad. Look fast for Oliver Reed as a nightclub bouncer. Both Jack Asher's vibrant color cinematography and the jaunty, dramatic orchestral score by David Heneker and Monty Norman are up to snuff. Well worth a watch.