Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 2, 2025

Leon Klimovsky's "Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf" (1972) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Macabro. The only supplemental feature on the release is an audio commentary recorded by the NaschyCast. In English or Spanish, with optional English subtitles. Region-Free.

The wild one

NOTE: The text below was used for our review of Mondo Macabro's Blu-ray release of Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf from 2024. The Blu-ray release features a longer, reconstructed version of the film. This 4K Blu-ray release presents only the shorter Spanish version of the film, which was fully restored in 4K.

Waldemar Daninsky is a character Paul Naschy played in several films, one of which is Leon Klimovsky’s Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf. Naturally, the obvious question is: Does one need prior experience with these films to enjoy Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf? No. Naschy simply moves Daninsky to a new setting and lets him loose.

Imre Kosta (Jose Marco) and his gorgeous wife Justine (Shirley Corrigan) arrive in a village somewhere in Transylvania where the former’s parents fell in love, started a family, and spent the rest of their lives. However, before Imre can properly summarize his family’s history for Justine, a couple of strangers attempt to steal their car. Moments later, a brawl breaks out and Imre is killed. The strangers target Justine too, but Waldemar appears and instantly changes their minds. Not too long after that, while still recovering from the horrific experience, Justine makes a shocking discovery -- during a full moon, against his wish, her savior changes into a werewolf. When later she learns from that her savior cannot control his ‘condition’, Justine arranges for them to meet Dr. Jekyll (Jack Taylor), at his office in London, as he is the only specialist with the knowledge to cure him. But when Dr. Jekyll begins working on Waldemar's ‘condition’, the treatment produces several unexpected complications.

Out of all the different films Naschy made about Daninsky, Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf undoubtedly had the best potential to become a legit cult film and be accepted as such even by horror fans who did not think too highly of his work. It is because at least on paper it had a most intriguing story that instantly set the mind in standby mode. Unfortunately, while Naschy, who also produced the screenplay, and Klimovsky did not make a disappointing film, they could not deliver a cult film either.

So, why did a film that visits Transylvania, moves to London, and unites Dr. Jekyll and a cool-looking werewolf not turn out very special?

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf had a small budget, like virtually all films Naschy made, and as a result, it could not take advantage of the many possibilities its story promises. In fact, it is fair to write that Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf had a hard time doing even the minimum a genre film featuring a classic character like Dr. Jekyll should be expected to do. Indeed, while it produces some decent visuals and atmosphere, it operates with limited imagination, effectively preventing it from surprising its audience with intriguing genre material. This is why the only legitimately exciting material features Naschy’s transformations and quick close-ups of the werewolf’s furry head.

In the past, Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf was presented to horror aficionados in several different versions. Mondo Macabro’s Blu-ray release presents two versions: a Spanish version, which is approximately 86 minutes long, and a rare reconstructed export version, which is approximately 89 minutes long. The following text is included on the Blu-ray release:

“It appears that Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf was released in at least four different versions. The original Spanish cut, with “clothed” scenes; a version released in the U.S. with some “clothed” and some “naked” scenes; a version released in the UK with some scenes cut; and a version released in Germany with all of the stronger scenes intact.

The current owner of the film only has access to the Spanish version. Despite a long search, we were unable to locate usable 35mm materials for all the cut or altered scenes. To recreate the most complete version of the film, as presented here, we had to use a mixture of 16mm footage and clips from analogue and digital video sources of variable quality”.

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Mondo Macabro's 4K Blu-ray release of Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf does not have a Blu-ray copy of the film. Also, this 4K Blu-ray release presents only the shorter Spanish version of the film, which is approximately 86 minutes long. Mondo Macabro's Blu-ray release, produced last summer, also includes the longer, reconstructed version of the film, which is approximately 96 minutes long. This longer version utilizes inserts from secondary sources.

In native 4K, the shorter Spanish version cannot be viewed with Dolby Vision or HDR grades.

The back cover of the 4K Blu-ray release announces a "new 4K restoration" of the shorter Spanish version, but I am unsure why because this 4K restoration was already introduced on the Blu-ray release.

If you have seen our review of the Blu-ray release, you already know that I like the 4K restoration that was prepared for this film quite a lot. However, I also like the reconstructed longer version a lot, which is the one I prefer and viewed on the Blu-ray. So, to not have the longer reconstructed version on 4K Blu-ray -- and I would have been perfectly fine with the inserts looking as they do -- is quite disappointing.

In native 4K, the shorter Spanish version looks predictably great. A lot of the darker footage, in particular, is very attractive and in some places a little more convincing now because all density fluctuations are handled marginally better. Delineation, sharpness, and depth are solid, too. Color balance and reproduction are very good. Perhaps the dynamic range of some visuals should be slightly better in native 4K, but I liked what I saw on my system a lot. Image stability is great. In summary, the Spanish version has a very pleasing organic appearance in native 4K, so it is very easy to recommend. However, I think that the reconstructed longer version of the film is the one to see and own.

*All screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray.

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this 4K Blu-ray release: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the former. (If you need to turn them off, you will have to use your remote control. They cannot be turned off via the disc's menu).

When I viewed the reconstructed version, I used the English track. Last night, while viewing the Spanish version, I again chose the English track. I do not have any new comments to add about its quality. It is very easy to tell that even though various actors are delivering their lines in English, they were all overdubbed. As a result, you should expect to hear some minor unevenness. The overall health of the lossless track is very good.

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by the NaschyCast.

Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In America, Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf made its high-definition debut with this Blu-ray release in 2024. On the Blu-ray release, there are two versions of the film, a shorter Spanish version, which was fully restored in 4K, and a longer reconstructed version, which utilizes inserts from secondary sources. This upcoming 4K Blu-ray release presents only the shorter Spanish version. Also, it eliminates several terrific bonus features that were included on the Blu-ray release. If you want to have a copy of Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf in your collection, my advice is to pick up the Blu-ray release, and only then consider the 4K Blu-ray release. Mondo Macabro's reconstruction of the longer version is professionally done and looks very nice. Yes, the inserts are instantly recognizable, but they look good and add nearly ten minutes of extra footage. The Blu-ray release has an attractive price tag, too.