The 1931 film version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde offered an intricate web of thrilling plot points, rich, multi-dimensional characters, and erotic themes that were surprisingly forward for a horror film of that era. Fredric March superbly plays both the protagonist, Dr. Henry Jekyll (pronounced Gee-kel) as well as his diabolical alter ego/antagonist, Hyde. March fluidly sways between the two characters, giving credibility to Jekyll’s theory that there are two selves to every person, one good and one evil, battling for internal control of (what Freud would later call in his Structural Model of the Psyche) the ‘self’. This premise of the two selves serves as the foundation in which the rest of the film’s moral/ethical
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Jekyll’s first person perspective of getting ready to give a scientific lecture at a local university in Victorian London. This narrowed lens gives Dr. Jekyll a sense of God-like, self-centeredness that helps foreshadow the horrific action to come. After his lecture, Dr. Jekyll reveals to his friend, Dr. Lanyon that he dreams of pushing the boundaries of science by splitting these two selves from one another so man can be “free”. Lanyon cautions Jekyll about tampering with the human soul, but Jekyll quickly dismisses his objections. Jekyll and Lanyon have their conversation cut short, as they find themselves helping prostitute, Champagne Ivy who is beaten in the street by one of her patrons. Ivy makes a sexual pass at Dr. Jekyll while he is treating her, which he politely declines in favor of honoring his professional ethics and personal morals. Ivy’s pass, however, puts her on Jekyll’s radar, as she is both beautiful and sexually tempting. Dr. Jekyll encounters further frustration when his fiancée’s father denies his request to marry the betrothed Muriel, sooner rather than later. Jekyll goes back to his lab to concoct the formula that will …show more content…
Jekyll ingests his potion as a large caldron on the fire in his laboratory angrily boils over, metaphorically foreshadowing events to come. The symbol of the caldron parallels how out of control Hyde becomes for Jekyll, and lets the audience know that there are dire consequences ahead for Jekyll choosing to manipulate science and play God. Now, Jekyll’s other self, Hyde goes back to find Ivy and begins a long routine of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse that traps Ivy in a cycle of misery. All the while, Jekyll is moonlighting between himself and Hyde, trying to keep control over both egos. Finally, Jekyll starts transforming into Hyde without the potion and cannot control it. The climax and falling action of the film happens when Muriel’s father finally gives consent for the couple to marry the following month. On his way to an important dinner announcing their impending wedding date, Jekyll uncontrollably transforms into Hyde, runs away, and stands Muriel up for the dinner. Hyde goes to Ivy and strangles her to death, with the knowledge that Ivy previously begged Dr. Jekyll to help her be rid
Jekyll’s first person perspective of getting ready to give a scientific lecture at a local university in Victorian London. This narrowed lens gives Dr. Jekyll a sense of God-like, self-centeredness that helps foreshadow the horrific action to come. After his lecture, Dr. Jekyll reveals to his friend, Dr. Lanyon that he dreams of pushing the boundaries of science by splitting these two selves from one another so man can be “free”. Lanyon cautions Jekyll about tampering with the human soul, but Jekyll quickly dismisses his objections. Jekyll and Lanyon have their conversation cut short, as they find themselves helping prostitute, Champagne Ivy who is beaten in the street by one of her patrons. Ivy makes a sexual pass at Dr. Jekyll while he is treating her, which he politely declines in favor of honoring his professional ethics and personal morals. Ivy’s pass, however, puts her on Jekyll’s radar, as she is both beautiful and sexually tempting. Dr. Jekyll encounters further frustration when his fiancée’s father denies his request to marry the betrothed Muriel, sooner rather than later. Jekyll goes back to his lab to concoct the formula that will …show more content…
Jekyll ingests his potion as a large caldron on the fire in his laboratory angrily boils over, metaphorically foreshadowing events to come. The symbol of the caldron parallels how out of control Hyde becomes for Jekyll, and lets the audience know that there are dire consequences ahead for Jekyll choosing to manipulate science and play God. Now, Jekyll’s other self, Hyde goes back to find Ivy and begins a long routine of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse that traps Ivy in a cycle of misery. All the while, Jekyll is moonlighting between himself and Hyde, trying to keep control over both egos. Finally, Jekyll starts transforming into Hyde without the potion and cannot control it. The climax and falling action of the film happens when Muriel’s father finally gives consent for the couple to marry the following month. On his way to an important dinner announcing their impending wedding date, Jekyll uncontrollably transforms into Hyde, runs away, and stands Muriel up for the dinner. Hyde goes to Ivy and strangles her to death, with the knowledge that Ivy previously begged Dr. Jekyll to help her be rid