The proposed research question is: How do the three film adaptations, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde directed by Mamoulian in 1931, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde directed by Jarrott in 1968, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde directed by Buechler in 2008, of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde reflect changing attitudes towards mental illness?
After reading Robert L. Stevenson’s novella, I began to have interest on the topic of mental illness in relation to crime. In the 21st century, there is a stigma that people with mental illnesses are more likely to commit violent crimes. Although certain illnesses increase the risk that the person will become perpetrators of violence, …show more content…
Before watching each film, I researched general knowledge about mental illnesses during the eras in which the adaptations were filmed. Then while watching the films with the context, I looked for how it reflected the society’s understandings of mental illnesses. Successes I had within the process were in interpreting the films. I found that the background knowledge on the time periods for each film was helpful in seeing how the character of Mr. Hyde was incorporated in the film using the societal attitudes towards mental illnesses. Throughout the eras, increasing knowledge and understanding of mental illnesses were demonstrated. The earlier film of 1931 focused more on the aspect of every man’s good and evil sides. In contrast, the film of 2006 focused more on the multiple personality disorder, showing Jekyll’s persona fighting for control with Hyde’s persona. However, I noticed that the view on mental illnesses remained negative through the cinematic portrayal of Hyde’s brutal and violent behavior; even in more recent films in which mental illness has been accentuated, the character does not receive treatment and instead chased by the
After reading Robert L. Stevenson’s novella, I began to have interest on the topic of mental illness in relation to crime. In the 21st century, there is a stigma that people with mental illnesses are more likely to commit violent crimes. Although certain illnesses increase the risk that the person will become perpetrators of violence, …show more content…
Before watching each film, I researched general knowledge about mental illnesses during the eras in which the adaptations were filmed. Then while watching the films with the context, I looked for how it reflected the society’s understandings of mental illnesses. Successes I had within the process were in interpreting the films. I found that the background knowledge on the time periods for each film was helpful in seeing how the character of Mr. Hyde was incorporated in the film using the societal attitudes towards mental illnesses. Throughout the eras, increasing knowledge and understanding of mental illnesses were demonstrated. The earlier film of 1931 focused more on the aspect of every man’s good and evil sides. In contrast, the film of 2006 focused more on the multiple personality disorder, showing Jekyll’s persona fighting for control with Hyde’s persona. However, I noticed that the view on mental illnesses remained negative through the cinematic portrayal of Hyde’s brutal and violent behavior; even in more recent films in which mental illness has been accentuated, the character does not receive treatment and instead chased by the