Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920)

Worth seeing for the acting performances especially John Barrymore's and Nita Naldi's.

Classic silent horror a must own for horror fans

The first important horror film originated in Germany with Robert Wiene's 1919 expressionistic masterpiece, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI. In America, the horror genre's roots stem from a classic piece of literature, Robert Louis Stevenson's DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. The story, about a noble scientist's attempt to expel the evil inclinations within the human soul, was the subject of a number of short films since the earliest days of cinema. In 1920, it was adapted into a feature length production in which the great stage actor John Barrymore had his first major screen role, and is generally regarded as America's first true horror film.Directed by John S. Robertson, it is a fairly faithful rendition of Stevenson's novel and perfectly captures the period of 19th century London. Barrymore delivers a tour de force dual performance, and his transformation into the malevolent Mr. Hyde is a chilling study in pantomime. As the character degenerates further, Barrymore's features become more hideous, his movements more spider-like as he preys upon his female victims. One of these hapless women is played by the exotic Nita Naldi, who projects a potent eroticism that is enough to tempt the latent, lustful desires of Barrymore's good Dr. Jekyll.Compared to later versions of the famous tale, this excellent silent classic holds its own and has a grim feeling of decay that the others somehow lack. Much of this is due to Barrymore - he really is creepy as Hyde, and while he did use some makeup, it's mostly through facial and bodily contortions that the characterization was realised. Add Roy Overbaugh's shadowy cinematography, and the final effect is splendidly eerie and atmospheric.Kino/Lorber's Deluxe Edition Blu-ray has been newly remastered from a 35mm archival negative, and features an appropriately melodramatic music score by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. The image quality surpasses Kino's previous DVD, although some minor wear due to age is still apparent. Two brief sections were obtained from a lesser quality source, but this is the only existing material on the footage. The film is presented with tinting that isn't overly saturated. The boost to HD definitely justifies an upgrade, and I enjoy watching DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE even more, what with all the detail clarity I can now see. Even with the physical ravages of time, this Blu-ray is the next best thing to seeing the actual print - which we would expect to contain wear anyway.Extra features have been bumped over from the DVD: the 1912 Thanhouser version starring James Cruze; a 15 minute excerpt from a 1920 rival version produced by Louis B. Mayer; DR. PYCKLE AND MR. PRIDE, a 1925 parody starring Stan Laurel; and a 1909 audio recording of "The Transformation Scene."If you love classic screen horror, this influential film belongs in your collection. I gladly give it my highest recommendation.

As much as I love this movie, Kino's Blu-Ray edition is a textbook example of how high end resolution does not always benefit older movies especially when they haven't been restored. Of the many different versions of this title that I have seen from the 1999 Image edition to the 2001 Kino edition to this one, it is this one that most clearly shows the defects of the existing print. While some backgrounds are better defined so are the flaws. The missing footage from the first Kino edition has been incorporated here from 16mm footage and while it's good to have it, it looks worse than it did in the old Image edition thanks to Blu-Ray and HDTV resolution. I haven't seen the 2014 DVD version but I imagine it's pretty much the same. As someone who has the other versions I wish that an upgrade of the Image edition were possible combined with the fine Mont Alto score. However as this is the only Blu-Ray edition it will have to do until another comes along which won't be anytime soon.The film itself is one of the glories of early silent cinema. John Barrymore is 38 here and was shootng this in Paramount's Astoria Studios during the day while performing Shakespeare's RICHARD III at night. On closer examination there are similarities between Hyde's mannerisms and those traditionally associated with Richard. Even the costume and posture Barrymore uses link the two together. Brandon Hurst's Sir George Carew borrows heavily from Oscar Wilde's Lord Henry in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY even having actual lines of Wilde's ("the only way to get rid of Tempatation is to yield to it") incorporated into the title cards. Nita Naldi's Gina, Louis Wolheim's proprietor, and the tragic Martha Mansfield's Millicent add to my enjoyment. There are the Frederic March and Spencer Tracy versions and several later color ones (including two from Hammer Films and one from Amicus) but when I want to see DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE, this is the one I watch.

Excellent classic movie.

I'm not going to write my film doctorate here. Let's just say this is a masterpiece of American filmmaking and if you've never seen it, you should watch it. It makes most of the other dozens of takes on Jekyll and Hyde pale by comparison.

This is a great film. Good story telling. Good acting. The score doesn't really match the scenes and could use an update. The message of course is about the triumph of traditional values and the modern generation will have problems with this.

John Barrymore shows us all what true acting is all about! To see the heartthrob of the 20's with his dashing good looks to suddenly turn into a pretty scary looking creature was very unexpected to me! As some previous reviewers had mentioned, they say his make-up for Mr. Hyde was "laughable". NOT TO ME! You have to see this film yourself to truly understand that, back then, without all the computer-generated gimmicks we have now, this is just TRUE exceptional horror in its day! True, Mr. Barrymore relied mostly on his eyes and the evil grin to "get across his point" as Mr. Hyde, but it works!!! I first had seen this as an afterthought movie that was thrown at the end of a horror movie collection I had purchased some years ago for my VCR player. It was in terrible condition, as I assumed it would be for such an old movie, but the darkness and the graininess of the film just added to the horror of it completely! I have seen many, many versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but when I saw this version, it scared me to the core! Now I understand why John Barrymore was considered a classic actor of his time. He truly fits the bill of going from one extreme to the other, and in the end, isn't that REALLY what "acting" is all about???HIGHLY RECOMMENDED but beware.......you will be scared!

this is one of the first truly great horror films in american cinema, largely due to john barrymore's magnificent performance in the title roles. when i first saw his inital transformation from jekyll to hyde, it was like something from the theatre in that barrymore didn't need any makeup. all he had to do, was to adjust his posture and his facial expression and there was hyde before my eyes! a fine example of acting if ever i saw one. the storyline is a good one and the title cards are well-written as they explain and describe each character in depth. the sets are a bit on the small side perhaps and certainly can't compare to the sets used for the 1931 version but they serve their purpose nevertheless. the debate about man being able to seperate his evil nature from his good one, is highlighted quite well. the supporting cast range from being good to average. this film belongs to john barrymore. the special features included on this dvd from "kino video" include a one reel comedy with stan laurel, using the same story and it is quite amusingly done(where's oliver hardy when you need him?) there are also a few clips of what was a rival production made at the same time of the "jekyll and hyde" story. this is fairly interesting but i would have to see the whole film of course, in order to create a full impression. considering the age of the film, the footage is remarkably clear.

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (Silent Classics) [DVD ]Most of us know about the movie and its been reviewed better by other folks so all i will say is that this is a bad transfer by Starlite Digital. This is the one with the cover with the chalk writing.It looks like a 5th generation copy! Sure the film is like ancient but i've seen fantastic versions of other silent movies. Until someone does a decent remaster i guess this will have to do but be prepared to be a bit disappointed. Fantastic movie though. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (Silent Classics) [DVD

Brilliant adaption.. Barrymore apparently achieved this character mostly by facial expressions and actually dislocated his jaw in the process.. I am led to believe.. it shows the duel personality disorder lurking in all of us as far as I am concerned.. one clip where he is suppose too be ass evil as can be is when he takes a toy away from a child in the street.. huge public outcry almost.. if only we had stricter rules these days..

Dr jekyll and Mr hyde still watchable after all these years.

The service from the provider was quick and efficient. The film was good and had the aura of mystery and horror. John Barrymore was suitably impressive as the villain and convincing as Doctor Jekyll. Good entertainment!