As
familiar as the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde may be, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne is far from
traditional in its narrative. Written and directed by Walerian Borowcyzk, who
was known for his sensational and sexually explicit filmmaking, this version
seems to have been inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s first attempt at the
narrative. Stevenson was engaged to a woman named Fanny Osbourne, who was said
to have been so horrified by this early draft that the writer destroyed it
before starting over to create the narrative we now know. Borowcyzk uses his
imagination in creating a perverse adaptation that is easy to imagine would
have been shocking enough for destruction.
Taking place all
in one evening, the film mostly revolves around the engagement party of Dr.
Henry Jekyll (Udo Kier) and his fiancée, Miss Fanny Osbourne (Marina Pierro).
As a group of respectable guests gather for the celebration, a young girl is
being beaten by a vicious man in the streets of London
There are a few
elements which make this version of Stevenson’s story additionally shocking,
including Borowcyzk’s signature eroticism. While we are accustomed to Mr. Hyde’s
atrocious behavior, both violent and sexual, it is the combination of the two
which make this particular monster so horrifying. There is evidence that he
rapes many of his victims before their death, but even more shocking is the
revelation that his unusually long and pointed sexual organ has the ability to
pierce flesh, aiding in the ultimate demise of his victims. Even more potential
for offense comes in Borowcyzk’s willingness to show us what this murder weapon
looks like in close-up shots. The Strange
Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne tends to be more sexually explicit
than violent a film, however demented the finale may be.
Gorgeously shot
and magnificently restored for the Blu-ray release, this is a film which
benefits greatly from the high definition presentation. Also included on the
disc are a number of extras, including an audio commentary comprised of
archival interviews with Borowcyzk, along with new interviews with
cinematographer Noel Very, editor Khadichi Bariha, assistant Michael Levy, and
filmmaker Noel Simsolo, moderated by Daniel Bird. Additional interviews in the
extras include one with Udo Keir, Marino Pierro, and Sarah Mallinson talking
about Borowcyzk. There are also two short films, including a 1979 one from
Borowcyzk called “Happy Toy.” Then there is a 30-minute appreciation by Michael
Brooke and various other extras. I know modern blockbusters with fewer special
features on their Blu-ray release.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 6.5/10
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