TheManWhoCouldCheatDeath

The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)

Dr. Georges Bonnet is hiding a terrible secret. He is over a hundred years old, but doesn’t look like he has seen his forties yet. This is because he and a colleague, Professor Weiss, found the secret to eternal youth, and while the other doctor refused to remain young Bonnet jumped at the chance. The only problem is a critical gland needs to be surgically replaced every decade or else the years will catch up with him. But with Weiss now an old man and unable and unwilling to continue with the surgeries Bonnet has a serious issue. If that weren’t enough the elixir that holds back death while he waits for the surgery is slowly driving Bonnet mad!

I consider myself a big fan of Hammer movies and this is one of the few Hammer horror films that I hadn’t seen before getting this DVD. My only disappointment is that I hadn’t seen this gem until now. The story follows the standard “mad scientist” plot line, and while it doesn’t break any new ground it is solid and entertaining. The movie grabs your attention early on and never lets go of it. In addition to a solid story the movie has a great cast. Anton Diffring (Circus of Horrors) portrays the lead character of Dr. Bonnet and does so very well. There are times that his performance might seem a bit over the top, but I never found it to be distracting. Heck I would say that the script actually calls for the character to be over the top at times. For a change Christopher Lee gets to play the hero, Dr. Pierre Gerard. While not as interesting as his villain roles (Dracula being the big one) from Hammer movies he is still very good. The lovely Hazel Court rounds out the main cast members. She plays Janine Dubois, the woman in love with Dr. Bonnet. Unfortunately this is another horror film where she isn’t given much to do other than scream and look horrified. But she does that very well! Still she is such a wonderful actress that I’m always a bit disappointed when a movie wastes her talents.

This movie is as technically solid as you would expect a release from a quality studio like Hammer would be. In fact even more so because of the involvement of director Terrence Fisher, the man behind Hammer classics like Dracula, and the Earth Dies Screaming. The lighting and camera work are gorgeous. Shadows and odd green lighting are used to create a really creepy atmosphere that is as important to the success of the movie as the actors and script are. And while the makeup effects are very basic they are shot with such skill that they end up being far better than they should.

Not only is this a Hammer movie, but also it stars Christopher Lee and is directed by the great Terrence Fisher. If you are a collector of Hammer movies, like myself, then this is a must have. The fact that is it a really entertaining movie that is the kind of movie that is perfect for repeat viewings is only a bonus. Obviously I’m recommending The Man Who Could Cheat Death. Trust me it is worth spending your hard earned money on. For more information about this movie check out the Legend Films website at http://www.legendfilms.net/

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer