peggy-yau Review of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

a brilliant rendition, impressive for its time

[12 May 2005]

Rouben Mamoulian's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is a brilliantly original adaptation of Stevenson's classic novel. In terms of technicalities, this film is brilliant in showing the transformation from human to monster, specifically of a tall handsome and clean-cut man to a dwarfish ape-like figure. The first person camera angle in the opening scene is equally impressive for its time, as it provides viewers with a mirror reflection of Jekyll's appearance through his own eyes. On a more aesthetic note, the producer's portrayal of Sir Danver's home during the engagement party recreates nostalgia for the past decades. The conservative apparel of the men and women are accurately reflective of the conventions of the time period. However, the most significant aspect of this film is its addition of female characters that were nonexistent in the novel. Interestingly, Mamoulian's interpretation of the conflict between the id and ego seems to include women, indicating their powerful effect on a man's eternal happiness or irreversible downfall. Despite the producer's superb rendition of this classic novel, I still highly recommend reading the novel before watching the film.