Review #1,353: 'The Man Who Could Cheat Death' (1959)

Its 1890, and a mysterious hidden figure stalks the smoggy streets searching for his next victim. The atmosphere and imagery may bring to mind the crimes of Jack the Ripper, but the setting here is in fact Paris, although I'm convinced this opening was purposely designed to evoke the planet's most notorious serial killers. The Man Who Could Cheat Death is an early effort by Hammer Film Productions, based on the Barre Lyndon's play The Man in Half Moon Street, during the era when the famous British studio was emerging as the most popular name in horror, usurping Universal Studios, who dominated the genre during the 1930s and 40s. Hammer produced a different breed of horror, one that was ghastly and sexy, and audiences lapped it up. But this is one of the studio's tamest and most plodding efforts, despite the presence of Terence Fisher behind the camera and Christopher Lee in front of it.

The story surrounds sculptor, doctor and socialite Dr. Georges Bonnet (Anton Diffring), who we meet entertaining his dinner guests with the unveiling of his new work. Bonnet's model Margo (Delphi Lawrence) marvels at the magnificent bust, but the eligible bachelor is eager to rush everyone out of the door when attendees start asking about purchasing the works of art he never sells. Bonnet thinks he's alone, and opens a hidden safe containing a bubbling green liquid he seems incredibly desperate to drink. Only Margo has stayed behind and startles him. When she refuses to leave, Bonnet kills her, but not before his skin seems to age and his eyes are drained of colour. The good doctor is in fact 104-years old, and must drink the potion to maintain his youthful appearance. On the eve of undergoing vital surgery that will keep him young forever, his old friend Dr. Ludwig Weiss (Arnold Marle) reveals he has suffered a stroke, and will be unable to perform the operation. With the police on his trail and the potion running dry, Bonnet must find a new surgeon fast before his crimes against nature are uncovered.

The main problem with The Man Who Could Cheat Death is that any potential mystery to the story is blown by the film's very title. We know that Bonnet has somehow cheated death and that the green liquid must be the thing sustaining his power, so the majority of the running time is filled with inane conversations and philosophy 101. There's also a love interest in Janine (Hazel Court), Bonnet's beautiful former muse who appears to be dating stoic surgeon Dr. Pierre Gerard (Lee), although it's clear she only has eyes for the man who was sculpted her. It's a glorified cameo for Lee, who makes more of an impression with a relatively small role than Diffring manages as the lead, and it's easy to wonder how much better the film would have been with the roles reversed. With limited sets and a minuscule cast, Fisher seems happy to continue the aesthetic of the story's theatrical roots, and unwilling to embrace the potential hideousness of this part Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, part The Picture of Dorian Gray tale. It isn't the worst of Hammer's back catalogue, but it's a hell of a distance away from their best.

Directed by: Terence Fisher

Starring: Anton Diffring, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee, Arnold Marlé, Delphi Lawrence

Country: UK

Rating: **

Tom Gillespie