Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Free! Free at last!", 27 Jul 2006
This DVD contains both the 1941 Spencer Tracy version and the 1932 Fredric March version. Believe me, the latter is far superior to the former. In fact, in viewing Tracy's film, the only reason I could find for maintaining my attention was the incredibly magnetic Ingrid Bergman. Basically, Spencer Tracy's acting is not up to scratch. He doesn't actually seem to change much when he becomes Mr. Hyde. He doesn't seem particularly threatening and the film plods along rather than sweeping you up and carrying you with intrigue, terror and delight. In addition, there are lots of irritating Freudian arty scenes which simply do not belong.
But flip the disc over and you'll find the brilliant Fredric March version, never bettered since 1931. Notice how inventively shot it is for the 1930s: Dr. Jekyll is shown from a first person view for the whole of the start of the film including a wondrous mirror shot when he prepares himself. This is later used again when he abuses the very substances that will bring about his transition. The film, too, was pre-censor and is far more daring. The prostitute that Mr. Hyde stalks practically strips off for Dr. Jekyll when he takes her home.
But the reason why the film is so good is that it has insight without ever tripping over itself because of it. Fredric March's interpretation of Mr. Hyde as being primitive and ape-like is incredible. There is simply no resemblance between himself and Dr. Jekyll. People comment on how the make-up looks silly to the modern viewer. But they fail to notice just how much like a primate Mr. Hyde is being depicted as. March's performance itself is astounding. The scene when he beats the waiter in the bar for asking for a tip and then mocking him is terrifying: Mr. Hyde is truly mankind unhinged, at its most dangerous.
The standout scene for myself, however, is when Mr. Hyde walks outside in the rain for the first time. March plays him brilliantly animal-like, absorbing the feeling of freedom, unashamadly gleeful where other Victorians would have fled for shelter. And, for the record, the effects when he changes were revolutionary and still look excellent. They really do.
The extras included are a Bugs Bunny cartoon based (very loosely) on the famous horror tale and a commentary by some American film historian whose calm, controlled voice might just grate with you. However, I believe it is testament to the brilliant 1932 flick that he only provided a commentary for that film and not the 1941 Tracy version.
It really is one of those films that you should see, especially if you are a fan of good horror movies. These people were writing the book that modern film-makers seem to have misplaced.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A double dose of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, 6 Jun 2005
This is definitely a good value for money DVD. You get both the MGM 1941 (with Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner) and the Paramount 1932 (with Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins) versions of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Both films have a very similar story line, closer to the stage version of the novel rather than the novel itself, adding love interests to both Jekyll and Hyde.I am not sure if it helps to compare both versions but here it goes... I prefer the Spencer Tracy version as it flows better as film to me. It was because of this version I that got the DVD, with the Fredric March version as a blind buy. Despite its excess of uncalled for close-ups and other early 1930s techniques, the earlier version surprise me on how far more daring this pre-censorship film is. As for the cast, in my opinion, Tracy is better than March as the Jekyll and Hyde (although March actually won an Oscar for this), and Hopkins as the prostitute is much better than Bergman. Both Lana Turner and her 1932 counterpart look pretty and it seems that is all that is required of them. The oldest film is shown in a restored copy, the best possible I'd say, which shows its age but for a film over 70 years old it's very good. The more recent one is presented in a very good copy. The extras are good enough - there's a commentary on the 1932 version, the trailer for the 1941 version and a great Bugs Bunny cartoon directed by Chuck Jones.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
truly the best version of famous novel., 15 Aug 2006
two versions of "dr. jekyll and mr. hyde" for the price of one. a very good deal.
on side a, the 1932 film (filming was actually completed in 1931) is by far the best adaptation of the novel, and certainly far better than the one with spencer tracy.
fredric march gives an outstanding performance in the title roles. slightly too theatrical at times, but great nevertheless - especially as hyde. his evil side really shows.
for the time, there was some remarkable camera work during the transformation scenes. they still hold up extremely well after all these years. different lighting filters were used to change the colours on fredric march's face by over-lapping them or something like that.
previous editions have been censored quite heavily. i once read that the only copy available ran for about 80 minutes. luckily, this is not the case now. when released on video back in the mid-90s, the cuts had been restored and that is the version that is on this d.v.d.; running time is 92 minutes. this is a true classic, both in the horror genre and in cinema history.
sadly, the 1941 film with spencer tracy lets the side down. he is simply not suitable for the part. he is too gruff an actor and too rough round the edges to bring any kind of conviction or impact. ingrid bergman is better as the luckless ivy.
i saw this film back in the early 90s, but i have forgotten how cheap looking this is. the film sets are too small and they also look rather flimsy. the running time on this one is rather shorter than i expected. this runs for 108 minutes, but the time for general release was 122 minutes. still, this film is rather slow and boring no matter how long. not a success as far as i'm concerned.
special features are slim; trailer for the '41 film, a rather pointless cartoon of bugs bunny based on the "jekyll and hyde" theme and audio commentary by a film historian. the latter is the best feature.
watch the version with fredric march and be thrilled, fascinated and entertained.it's worth five stars on its own. watch the spencer tracy film and be bored and disappointed.
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