The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (2006)

There are some stories that strike such a cord with the human experience that they become classics. While many stories in literature and cinema are often repeated most are due more to the lack of originality than the classic nature of the tale. This is not the case for the story ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. From its initial publication in 1886 as a novella by Robert Louis this story has been made into dozens of films, games and even a musical. There are variations that play with the location, the means of transforming the main character and even at least one gender bending incarnation of the story. As most know it is a story of a kind and good doctor, Dr. Jekyll, who takes a serum to expand the horizons of science and is turned into the dastardly Mr. Hyde. Fundamentally it is about the dual nature of good and evil and how it is played out in the psychological nature of every human being. Within each person there is a potential for both good and evil. We are taught all our lives to suppress the dark side but in the case of Dr. Henry Jekyll he has discovered a way to unleash it. Typically this story covers such ancillary themes as serial killing and the nature of so called pure evil. Only a few years after the publication of the novella the city of London was facing a realization of these ideas as Jack the Ripper became the subject of headlines.

This 2006 version of the story was written and directed by John Carl Buechler. Here is a many who knows the horror genre. He has worked on the specialized makeup required in the genre for many years covering cult classic horror flicks as installments of the Re-Animator, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street series. He has created prosthetic effects for another, albeit lighter version of this story, ‘Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype’. As a director he helmed ‘Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood’. This is not his first time up at bat as a writer either having penned several previous low budget horror flick scripts. In all this is a man who knows the specific demands of the genre and the fans who drive the popularity of it. In an interview Buechler mentions that he realized the literary and cinematic history this story has but always wanted to have a chance to re-imagine a classic himself. Since this is an independent film the budget was small and the shooting schedule very tight. Buechler had to run a precision shoot in order to get the job done on time. He has spoken of the efficiency that is required under such circumstances and he succeeds well in this film. He is also quick to share credit with the people at the special effects company, Magical Media Industries. He praises the work of the effects supervisor John Fidele and the lead make up artist Jenn Rose for making this film work. I have seen most of the major versions of this film and while it doesn’t meet the standards set by the great versions it does manage to hold its own.

This is the kind of movie that is the audience will either love or hate with very few in the middle ground. One possible reason is if you are able to commit to watching this film on its own without comparing it to the great versions like the Spencer Tracy one in 1941, the Fredric March variation of 1931 or the groundbreaking silent version featuring John Barrymore, Sr. way back in 1920. he star here Tony Todd is a very good actor but few are in the league of his predecessors in this role. After several films that take only the most basic themes of transformation this release is a return to the original dark story that Stevenson first gave the world. While this is a re-imagination in many ways it is a return to basics in the telling of the story. As with any classic such as this it is almost required to update the setting to better connect to a new generation. This film takes the Stevenson archetypal story and brings it realistically to this new millennium.

The story centers on Doctor Henry Hyde (Tony Todd). He is a dedicated medical researcher looking for a way to cure certain forms of heart disease. His work focuses on the cutting new nano-technology; molecular sized machines capable of affected living tissue on the lowest level of life. The film opens with three young women walking long the streets. Two of them are trying to convince the third to go to the opera with them because it is a great opportunity to dress in formal wear. The one young blonde is reluctant and they part for the night. The walk to her car leads her down a deserted street; never a good idea but especially something to avoid in any horror flick. She senses someone or something following her, turns, screams and runs as growling fills the night air. Whatever is following her catches up and the scene is a mass of blood as her clothing is torn off and the creature eviscerates her. One of the police detectives assigned the case is Karen Utterson (Tracy Scoggins) who is naturally upset at the sheer brutality of the murder. Okay, we all know what happens next. Hyde tried his serum on himself and it turns him into the heinous creature Mr. Hyde.

One of the aspects of the retelling of the story that seems to be a sore point for many is the change in the underlying focus of the theme. In the original story the central theme was the duality of man’s nature. There is good and evil in all of us and if the good is suppressed evil will prevail. Here it changes to a cautionary tale of new advances in technology. The ability to alter our fundamental genetic makeup is the new monster. Jekyll was able to devolve himself into a base creature driven completely by hedonistic desires. This version is less about the id versus the superego in our innate personalities, something new in the 1880’s, but rather about the ability to alter on a molecular level what we are. This is the responsibility of every generation to take a great piece of literature and make it relevant to their time and place. To this end Buechler has succeeded. Many of the original themes no longer have the same impact with today’s audience. This also extends to the manifestation of the character of Mr. Hyde. In the original he was a creature that could be quite fun to be with. That is until he kills you. He was the deadly creature in the disguise of a gentleman. He Hyde is crass and boorish. His puns are awful and sometimes painful. This actually works out though, In the 1880’s the upper crust of society had distain for the newly rich and Hyde represented the worse case scenario. Now Hyde is devoid of any social graces, he is a killing machine.

Tony Todd is a familiar face to the fans of horror and science fiction. He was Candyman as well as Mr. Worf’s brother in Star Trek. His is a very talented actor who gets to showcase his ability with this dual role. Helping him is the incredible make up job. Considering Buechler came from that part of production it is natural that he would seek out talent to create his monster.

The DVD of this film is released by Image Entertainment. They are known for their wide selection of genres and titles. The DVD is presented in anamorphic 1.78:1 video and Dolby 5.1 audio. Both are very well done. The extras include a making of featurette, a trailer and some television spots, none where available in the screener. This is a solid piece of entertainment that is ultimately a fun watch.

Posted 02/29/08