Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 13, 2024

There’s some level of bravery to “The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock,” with the 1962 production trying to explore the ways of necrophilia without triggering utter disgust from viewers and censors of the day. Director Riccardo Freda doesn’t shy away from the central display of inhuman lust, but he’s not making an offering of underground cinema here, going gothic with the endeavor, which is more of an atmospheric viewing experience than a suspenseful one. “The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock” moves slowly, absurdly so at times, but there’s style to keep the audience interested in the weird cravings of a doctor and his specific carnal appetites, preferring his partners to be lifeless. There’s some eeriness to the feature, and perversion, helping to support the movie when it shows a general reluctance to march ahead as a wild display of madness.

Dr. Hitchcock (Robert Flemyng) is a respected man of medicine who’s developed a reputation for performing surgical miracles, joined by his colleague, Dr. Lowe (Silvano Tranquilli). Hitchcock lives a seemingly peaceful life in his manor, joined by housekeeper Martha (Harriet Medin) and his young wife, Margaretha (Maria Teresa Vianello), but his sexual appetites run on the extreme side. Using a special anesthetic he’s brewed himself, Hitchcock frequently brings his spouse to the brink of death to aid his carnal appetites, with dead women his special turn-on. When such a shot to Margaretha goes wrong, the young woman ends up deceased, halting Hitchcock’s life for 12 years. He returns to duty with a fresh partner, with Cynthia (Barbara Steele) introduced to the household, including Martha, who’s kept her mentally ill sister in the dwelling while her employer was away. Instantly uncomfortable with the living situation, Cynthia’s feeling of doom is justified when she begins to understand her husband’s idea of pleasure and his plans for his marital future.

“The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock” does a capable job introducing the eponymous character, who doesn’t seem like such a bad guy. He’s a top surgeon and man of medical science, maintaining a top reputation with the community, also married to a lovely young woman who charms those in her presence. Freda sets up an interesting contrast of social and carnal activities, as Hitchcock soon reveals his unique demands for Margaretha’s submission, injecting her with fluid intended to slow her heartbeat to the brink of stopping it. “The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock” isn’t graphic, but it does deal lightly with the character’s fondling ways with unconscious women, creating some early promise that the concept for the feature will be explored in full.

Instead of macabre extremes, “The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock” transforms into more of a haunted house picture, with Cynthia exposed to the bizarre ambiance of the dwelling. Her discomfort is examined in lengthy scenes of exploration and confrontations with a black cat and stormy weather, adding to atmosphere. Nightmare imagery soon joins the party, and suspicion takes control of Cynthia, who tries to make sense of noises in the night and direct attacks to her sanity, including the discovery of a skull in her bed. Freda handles the B-movie assignment with some skill, endeavoring to use the power of color to communicate unreal encounters, and decent performances express the weirdness of the situation, with the cast often using body language to detail pressure points of horror and exploration.

For additional information and analysis, please read Svet Atanasov’s 2016 Blu-ray review.

Two versions of “The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock” are presented on this release: the Original Italian Cut (87:43) and the American Cut (76:34).

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock" was previously released on Blu-ray in 2016, and now returns to disc via Vinegar Syndrome. Listed as "newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative," the original Italian cut of the movie is presented in 4K, offering fans a richer look at the feature's use of color, as the production plays with hues to generate a spooky atmosphere. Primaries are secure throughout, explored through set design and costuming choices. Lighting is also distinct as heavy reds and greens are employed. Darkness is frequent, and blacks remain deep, maintaining some sense of frame information. Skin tones are natural. Detail is strong with some focus issues, with a textured feel for skin particulars and period outfits. Interiors maintain depth in living spaces and hospital tours. Grain is capably resolved. Source is in good condition, but some color flashing is detected during a few stretches of the film.

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock" is presented with two 1.0 DTS-HD MA tracks, providing Italian and English audio. The latter is a bit deeper, but both offerings are straightforward in design. Dialogue exchanges are clear, securing dubbing and dramatic emphasis. Scoring supports with a warmer orchestral sound, with decent instrumentation. Sound effects are appreciable.

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Nathaniel Thompson, Troy Howarth, and Eugenio Ercolani.

• Select Scene Commentary (26:28, HD) features actress Barbara Steele and Barbara Steele archivist Russ Lanier.

• "The Most Honorable Julyan Perry" (30:35, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, who explores his initial hiring for "The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock," creating a tonal challenge for director Riccardo Freda with the material. The helmer burned through production, taking eight days to make the movie, skipping the last eight pages of the script to speed up production. Gastaldi examines his influences and experiences in the Italian film industry, including time facing a corrupt censorship board. He also delves into working relationships and admiration for other talents in the field.

• "The Horrible Dr. Freda" (20:16, HD) is an interview with 2nd Assistant Director Marcello Avallone, who initially details a history with horses shared with director Riccardo Freda. He also offers memories of the helmer's on-set ways, often working as fast as possible, while little care for performances. Freda also wasn't too concerned with set safety, with the interviewee detailing a production mishap involving a rapidly spreading fire. Anger during the shoot eventually peaked with Freda assaulting habitually tardy actress Barbara Steele, who walked off the set, requiring Avallone to serve as her body double for a few shots. He also supplies some memories of Freda, who loved to gamble on horses and refused to abandon his dog, tasking Avallone to quiet the canine during takes.

• "Necropolises and Necrophiliacs" (16:33, HD) is a second interview with Marcello Avallone from 2017, with the interviewee exploring his fascination with death and the afterlife, cinematic achievements, and his own work. Some thoughts are shared on "The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock" and director Riccardo Freda.

• English "Raptus" Title Sequence (1:56, HD) is offered.

• Image Gallery (1:29) collects lobby cards and poster art.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:53, SD) is included.

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Like most films from this era, "The Horrible Dr. Hitchcock" saves most of its physical activity for the final ten minutes, creating some moments of heroism and threat, while the whole thing works on its genre mood. Initial promise for a more lurid viewing experience is not kept, and pacing issues are present, but Freda finds ways to visually capture mounting pressure on Cynthia and the illness of Hitchcock, creating a sufficiently ominous picture.