Watch The Man Who Could Cheat Death
- Approved
- 1959
- 1 hr 23 min
-
6.2 (2,375)
The Man Who Could Cheat Death is a horror film from 1959 that stars Anton Diffring, Hazel Court, and Christopher Lee. The movie is directed by Terence Fisher and is based on the play by Barré Lyndon. It is set in Paris in the late 1800s and tells the story of a man who has discovered the secret to eternal youth. The film starts with Dr. Georges Bonnet (Anton Diffring), a renowned surgeon and artist, who has managed to prolong his life by over a hundred years using a secret formula that he has discovered. He is wealthy and successful but is haunted by his mortality and desperate to continue living forever. He is in love with a young artist, Janine Du Bois (Hazel Court), who he has known since she was a child, and the feeling is mutual.
Despite his age, Georges looks much younger and has a toned physique that belies his years. He credits his youthful appearance to his use of glandular extracts, which he administers to himself every ten years. However, the process of acquiring these extracts is not without its risks, and some of his previous attempts have resulted in the death of the donor.
Georges' home is decorated with numerous portraits of himself, each one showing him at a different age. He is proud of his appearance and believes that he is destined for greatness. However, he is increasingly paranoid and suspicious of those around him, fearing that they may try to steal his secret or otherwise interfere with his plans.
Janine, who is romantically involved with Georges, begins to grow concerned about him when she notices that he seems to be suffering from intense physical pain. She seeks the help of another doctor, the kind-hearted Professor Ludwig Weiss (Christopher Lee), who becomes involved in the couple's lives.
As the movie progresses, Georges' secret is revealed to more people, and he becomes desperate to protect his secret at all costs. He is willing to go to any lengths to ensure that he can continue living forever, even if that means sacrificing others to gain access to the glandular extracts that he needs.
The film is notable for its use of color, which was relatively new for horror films at the time. The sets are elaborate and full of intricate details that help to immerse the viewer in the story. The performances are excellent, particularly Anton Diffring's portrayal of the aging doctor struggling to maintain his youth.
The Man Who Could Cheat Death is a classic horror film that explores themes of immortality and the corrupting influence of power. It is a beautifully shot and atmospheric movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The Man Who Could Cheat Death is a 1959 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.