THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS
UK, 1985, 93 minutes, Colour.
Timothy Dalton, Jonathan Pryce, Twiggy, Julian Sands, Lewis Fiander, Stephen Rea, Beryl Reid, T.P.McKenna.
Directed by Freddie Francis.
The Doctor and the Devils is about doctors, the study of anatomy, grave robbers in 19th century Britain. The famous grave robbers, Burke and Hare, were the subject of Robert Wise's 1944 The Body Snatchers, as well as a British horror film of 1970 titled Burke and Hare.
This film has the overtones of the traditional British horror film, especially those developed by the Hammer Studios. In fact, the director is Freddie Francis, cinematographer and director of a number of these films. However, the screenplay is based on an original screenplay by poet Dylan Thomas. It has been worked on and adapted by playwright Ronald Harwood, best known for such plays and films as The Dresser.
Britain's 19th century atmosphere is re-created meticulously, the world of the universities, the world of aristocrats, the low life of the cities. The film also has a very strong cast with Timothy Dalton articulate as Dr Rock, the supremely self-confident scientist for whom the ends of science justify any means. His assistant is played by Julian Sands. Twiggy is a prostitute, Beryl Reid a derelict old woman, and character actors like Lewis Fiander and T.P. McKenna? appear in supporting roles. However, the focus is on the two grave robbers. They are played with mad relish by Jonathan Price and Stephen Rea.
The film has an ugly theme with the murders, the robbing of graves and the use of corpses for anatomical studies. However, the serious theme underlying it is the role and supremacy of science, the need for a balancing humanity, the need for appropriate legislation (which was lacking in Britain) for developments of anatomy and physiology so that surgery might be improved. Indications of more fundamentalist understandings of religion, like the resurrection of the body as a theological reason for not dissecting corpses, are also present. The film links in with the themes developed in the Frankenstein stories as well as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
1. The tradition of the horror film, stories of grave robbers and science? British horror films? Re-creations of the 19th century, explorations of the theme of science?
2. The re-creation of the period, the hospitals, the university lecture rooms? High society? British low life, the streets and the taverns? The musical score?
3. The screenplay and Dylan Thomas's contribution, the reworking by Ronald Harewood?
4. The title and its focus? The doctor as an enigmatic saviour figure yet diabolical? The gravediggers and robbers as diabolical?
5. The themes of science, anatomy and physiology, surgery? The traditions of surgeons being butchers and the need to improve quality of surgery? The need for bodies for anatomical study? The role of the law - allowing only hanged corpses to be available? The religious motif and the resurrection of the dead and the restoration of the body, arguing against such dissection? Dr Rock and his speeches about science, the end justifying the means?
6. Timothy Dalton as Dr Rock, his suave style, causes and popularity, skills in dissection and surgery? His attitude towards outmoded laws? His use of the bodies - and his irony in referring to the illicit body as a sheep's corpse? His servant buying the bodies, his wanting fresh bodies? His elevated speeches, his skill in surgery and saving Billy Bedlam's leg? The admiration of his assistants? The gratitude of Billy Bedlam's sister? At home, Annabella and her puritanical attitudes and clashes, snobbishness? The meals and guests not wanting to come and dine? His love for Elizabeth, her anatomical sketches - and the disapproval of society? His medical rival and the speeches, the kidneys, being brought before the board? The crisis with Fallon and Broome, the murders for the bodies? The decision of the medical board to protect him? His final walk up the hill - and the voice-over and his wondering whether he should have been so absolutely sure of himself?
7. Dr Murray, admiration for Dr Rock, his work as an assistant? His meeting with Jenny, going to visit her, the relationship, the money? His suspicions of Fallon and Broome? Talking with Elizabeth? His confronting Dr Rock? His rushing to the rescue of Jenny?
8. His staff and their admiration, the surgery? His rival using old lectures and having few listeners? The spy? The board and their decisions of reprimanding Dr Rock, yet protecting him? Dinners at home and ethical discussions?
9. Fallon and Broome, low-life, drinking, scrounging for money? Their discovering the body snatchers and seeing them at work, taking the bodies? Selling them to Dr Rock? The vagrants, Fallon murdering the first one and selling the body? The growing greed? The various bodies? The prostitutes - Broome taking a stand, Fallon reckless? The attempt to murder Mrs Flynn after caring for her? Getting rid of her body? Fallon and his murdering of Billy Bedlam's sister, Dr Murray recognising her and Dr Rock recognising her? His madness, the attempt to kill Jenny? His enjoying killing? Arrest, condemnation - and the fellow prisoners sneering at him and his own body going to Dr Rock? Being hanged? Broome and his admission of guilt - his greed?
10. Jenny and the prostitutes, English low-life, the taverns, the clients, relationships? Her slinging off at Dr Murray, attracted to him? With Fallon - and her being rescued by Murray?
11. The world of the poor, the landlords, the families crammed in one room, Billy Bedlam, the drunks, Mrs Flynn as a vagrant? The old woman who fenced for stolen jewellery? The gallery of the slums of the British city?
12. Themes of 19th century society and values, belief in progress, changing laws? The ghoulish aspects of anatomy, the need for bodies, experimentation? Scientists and their `playing God'?
