The Doctor and the Devils

source: The Doctor and the Devils

The Doctor and the Devils

Grave robbers supply a doctor (Timothy Dalton) with bodies to test on. Coming from a screenplay by Dylan Thomas with modifications from playwright Sir Ronald Harwood, directed by experienced horror director and cinematographer Freddie Francis and produced by Mel Brooks. Now let us mention the cast: besides Dalton, we have a pre-Trek Patrick Stewart as a higher-up doctor who suspects Dalton of doing something wrong, and Julian Sands as Dalton's assistant. Sands actually has a rather large subplot of being romantically involved with a prostitute before he starts to think his boss is a little shady. Coming from Francis' background with Hammer, there should be no surprise this has some Hammeresque qualities to it. And thank goodness!

Nice retelling of the Burke and Hare murder case, which was about 2 low- life lads in the early part of the 19th century selling off bodies to an all too eager Doctor Of Anatomy. They started off grave robbing, but realized they could get more money if they had fresher bodies.... Actually, this seems more of a remake of the excellent "The Flesh And The Fiends " movie from 1960.., They've made the right move by trimming the plot and getting rid of some characters, perhaps they put more of a cliff hanger ending in there, but that's OK. Of course, Timothy Dalton is no Peter Cushing, but we'll let that slide. Actually contains a great cast for it's time.

Freddy Francis, a cinematographer and director best known for directing Hammer horror films does something similar, but more intricate here. The Doctor And The Devil's is based on a true story, The Burke and Hare case. Timothy Dalton plays Dr. Rock who specializes in a anatomy and needs corpses to study and practice on. He soon makes contact with a pair of lowlifes who make a profitable venture by supplying the doctor with fresh corpses. This Gothic thriller has an excellent support cast which includes Julian Sands, Patrick Stewart and Twiggy as a prostitute. The sets, costumes and camera work are excellent as is the acting and direction. This was produced by Mel Brooks, but this film is stone cold serious and very well made. The Doctor And The Devils is great stuff and comes highly recommended from this reviewer.

The Dylan Thomas screenplay finally makes it to the screen with a few minor alterations. Based on the Burke and Hare vivisectionist murders, this film has a lot of the feel of the old Hammer movies though for the most part it is played quite a bit straighter. Credible performance by 1960's icon Twiggy. Very good, under-rated small feature.