THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH

Anton Diffring

THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (1959). Director: Terence Fisher.

In Paris of 1890, doctor and sculptor Georges Bonnet (Anton Diffring), is anxiously awaiting the arrival of an old friend, Dr. Ludwig Weiss (Arnold Marle). Elderly Weiss, who is actually younger than Georges, performed a certain operation on the latter that has kept him young for many decades. The operation needs to be repeated periodically and now it is time for Weiss to perform it again, only a stroke has made this impossible. Now Georges is desperate to find another doctor who might look the other way and save Georges' life. But will Dr. Pierre Gerard (Christopher Lee) agree to do what Georges' requires? Complicating matters is a woman named Janine (Hazel Court), who is in love with Georges but may find his secrets a bit too much to bear.

Arnold Marle and Anton Diffring

The Man Who Could Cheat Death is a notable Hammer production, well-directed by Terence Fisher, and with a splendid lead performance from Anton Diffring, who makes the most of both the characters' arrogance and his near-hysterical desperation. Court and Lee are also memorable, and Arnold Marle is excellent as the originally compliant doctor who becomes increasingly appalled by his old friend's attitude and actions, which include murder. Based on a play by Barre Lyndon, this was originally filmed as The Man in Half Moon Street. This is the superior of the two versions.

Verdict: Lurid and entertaining with a superb Diffring. ***.