Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Watch Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

  • NR
  • 1920
  • 1 hr 22 min
  • 6.9  (5,994)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, released in 1920, is a silent horror film that was directed by John S. Robertson. Starring Hollywood legend John Barrymore, Martha Mansfield, and Brandon Hurst, the movie is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story follows Dr. Henry Jekyll, a well-respected physician and scientist, who is fascinated by the idea that every person has both good and evil within them. He becomes obsessed with separating the two and so he creates a potion that will unleash his evil side. But, as he continues to take the potion, he realizes that the evil side of him, Mr. Hyde, is taking over his body and mind until Jekyll loses control over his actions altogether.

John Barrymore delivers an incredible performance as Dr. Jekyll and his alter-ego, Mr. Hyde. Playing opposite him is Martha Mansfield as Millicent Carew, Jekyll's fiancée, and Brandon Hurst plays Sir George Carew, Millicent's father.

The movie opens with Jekyll explaining his theory that every man has both good and evil within them. However, he believes that society has instilled the idea of the "evil side" being suppressed, leading to repression and misery. He decides to create a potion that will separate the two sides, allowing humans to embrace their dark side without harming themselves or others.

When Jekyll first takes the potion, his transformation into Hyde is gradual, first manifesting as a change in personality and temperament before physically altering his appearance. Initially, Hyde is seen as confident and charismatic, using his newfound freedom to behave recklessly and indulge in sinful pleasures that Jekyll cannot. Despite his violent behaviour, Millicent is intrigued by Hyde and begins to develop feelings for him.

As the story progresses, Jekyll becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, struggling to control when and where Mr. Hyde appears. He tries to hide his condition from Millicent, but eventually reveals the truth when she confronts him. She is horrified by what she sees and begs him to renounce his alter-ego. But Jekyll is now so consumed by his evil side that he cannot resist its urges, leading to a tragic ending.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores themes such as duality of human nature and the struggle between good and evil. The film's visual effects are ahead of its time and are still impressive today, especially for 1920s standards. The movie's ability to convey the character's emotions and intentions without dialogue is a testament to the power of silent cinema.

The film also has its fair share of horror elements. When Jekyll transforms into Hyde, he becomes a terrifying monster, and the scenes that depict his rampages are both gruesome and disturbing. Particularly notable is a scene where Hyde attacks a young girl, which is still shocking for modern audiences despite being over 100 years old.

Overall, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a classic piece of horror cinema that offers a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of human nature. John Barrymore's performance is masterful, bringing depth and complexity to the character of Jekyll and Hyde. The film's themes and visual effects continue to inspire and influence modern horror productions, making it a must-see for fans of the genre.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1920 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Description
Where to Watch Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is available to watch free on Crackle, Plex and Popcornflix. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV Channels, FuboTV, The Roku Channel, EPIX and Amazon. Some platforms allow you to rent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1920
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 22 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (5,994)