Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913)

Title: Hyde devours its creator


Articulated through letters relevant to the action rather than the posters themselves on the time of filming, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1913) is the third or even fourth adaptation of Stevenson's classic novel to the film medium, still short of referring to less than half an hour. However, this would be the first version to be considered in terms of narrative strength, where you can see the good hand of its director, Herbert Brenon, author of a few major titles of american silent cinema.

It is told with a remarkable sense of humor and the character of Hyde is a great find visual, with its apelike appearance and movements that seem to prefigure the later of Opale in Renoir's version for TV "Le testament du Docteur Cordelier" (1959) . In this regard, adding that the performance of King Baggot stiff in his role of Dr. Henry Jekyll in contrast to the dynamic and fun recreation that makes Mr. Hyde.

Treated as primitive for literary adaptation, so remote in time, the movie, without any musical accompaniment, contains interesting visual and spectacular achievements. Also outline some input dramatic and threatening as the continuous lateral displacement of Hyde himself through the windows at once reminded that other Murnau's Nosferatu when preparing to visit the home of his german beloved.


6/10