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The Flesh and the Fiends [1959] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Intense & Macabre
Review date: 2008-07-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
"This is the story of lost men and lost souls. It is a story of vice and murder. We make no apologies to the dead. It is all true". This the lurid legend that affronts your eyes in capital letters, in the pre-credit sequence, of this relatively obscure masterpiece.The Flesh and the Fiends [1959] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
The setting is 19th Century Edinburgh at Shepperton Studios.
This film deals with the infamous exploits of grave- robbers Burke & Hare, and the less heard of (to me anyway) university professor surgeon Dr. Knox. These characters have prominent references, in the annals of historical sociopathology; Burke & Hare were no less nasty than Jack the Ripper; also much of what they got up to is open to conjecture, which makes them fertile ground for such a film as this.
This dvd presentation is excellently compiled by people who really seem to like the film their selling. We are offered two versions the UK and Continental cut; the latter to my mind is far superior; it is this one that gets top marks from me, the domestic version lacks the potency that you'll see in what I would call the definitive cut. The difference between both versions is truly remarkable. It is the Continental version ( it would never have been accepted by the BBFC in it's day ), that I have in mind writing this.
The element that makes this film really gruesome is that it is based on true stories, (forgive my banality of phrase for want of interesting articulation). It has a controversial and compelling theme: the procurement of cadavers for medical students to truly appreciate the intricacies of human anatomy and the advancement of medical science, at a time when legality made it extremely difficult to obtain sufficient specimens for the edification of doctors, especially surgeons to be; This issue is addressed intelligently in the film.
As one would expect, historical and hysterical records are re-edited for the cinema, so don't expect an accurate history lesson for help in constructing your thesis for degree dis...
This is exploitative macabre melodrama, more than a horror film; though it is more gruesome and horrific than other films of the terror genre; also made in 1959, such as those made by Hammer, and their rivals; I find this story even more disturbing than "Peeping Tom"; which caused such a stir; also made in 59.
This is still intense viewing today,the performances of George Rose as Burke ,and Donald Pleasence as Hare, are superb,powerful & really scary, if there is anything funny about them, it is the darkest of comedy. Peter Cushing is fine as Knox (NB. Cushing is not the principal protagonist, the film revolves on several characters) the quality of the remaining cast vary, but at worst they are theatrical; which by no means mar the film.
The scenes of dialogue, are counter balanced by violent action, and wenches baring their bosoms,(the UK version consists largely of prudish takes of the same scenes: very British!). The cinematography is first ~rate, and any Hammer fans amongst you might agree that the director John Gilling, who co-scripted it, never made anything else quite like this.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
June Laverick
Peter Cushing
George Rose
Donald Pleasence
Renee Houston
Creators:
Peter Cushing (Primary Contributor)
June Laverick (Primary Contributor)
Monty Berman (Cinematographer)
Monty Berman (Producer)
John Gilling (Writer)
Jack Slade (Editor)
Robert S. Baker (Producer)
Leon Griffiths (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Image Entertainment
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
EAN: 0014381981124
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-07-24
Universal product code (UPC): 014381981124
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1960
Language: English (Original Language)