The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 9, 2017

Weird science is discussed at length in 1959’s “The Man Who Could Cheat Death,” which adapts a stage play for the screen, hoping a little oddity with a “The Picture of Dorian Gray”-style premise might be enough to satisfy horror fans. Frights aren’t important to director Terence Fisher, and while he tries to summon a spooky mood of strange events and medical urgency, he can’t avoid the reality that this is one talky endeavor. “The Man Who Could Cheat Death” isn’t a whiff for Hammer Films, but it’s far from their most suspenseful effort.

Anton Differing stars as a sculptor who’s 104 years old, requiring a special elixir created out of human glands to sustain his youthful appearance. Of course, he must turn to murder to feed his needs, inspiring tensions with his mistress (Hazel Court), who’s married to a doctor (Christopher Lee) capable of saving his life with special operation. If all this sounds exiting, “The Man Who Could Cheat Death” isn’t exactly the pulse-pounding piece of entertainment it could be. Instead of macabre happenings, conversations and veiled threats dominate the effort, reflecting its theatrical origins. It’s not entirely unappealing (a great cast saves it), but snap is definitely missing from material that imagines itself to be far more disturbing than it actually is.

For more extensive analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2011 Blu-ray review.

The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a satisfactory viewing experience with what appears to be less than desirable source elements. Sharpness isn't ideal, but softness is generally boosted by brightness, offering a full look at production achievements, including ornate costuming and macabre make-up achievements. Detail survives, but touchable textures don't come through as well as they could. Colors are communicative, hitting period highlights with secure primaries, while emphasis on decorative reds and potion greens is appealing. Skintones look accurate. Delineation is acceptable but rarely remarkable. Speckling and mild scratches are detected.

The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is hampered by age-related issues, with clarity unavailable, finding dialogue exchanges sounding slightly muffled. Intelligibility isn't disastrous, with lines intact, but performances aren't quite as expressive as intended. Hiss and pops are present throughout as well. Scoring isn't crystal clear, but musical moods are understood, just lacking sharp and deep instrumentation. Sound effects are slightly fuzzy.

The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Troy Howarth.

• Interview (17:09, HD) with critic Kim Newman explores Hammer Films and their efforts to restore the popularity of gothic horror pictures, the truth behind Peter Cushing's career fatigue at the time (passing on a chance to be in the movie), and casting highlights.

• Interview (16:52, HD) with film historian Jonathan Rigby covers basically the same historical terrain as Newman, with more focus on the history of the material, missed dramatic opportunities, and reviews from the day.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Man Who Could Cheat Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Tech credits are superb throughout "The Man Who Could Cheat Death," giving it a cinematic presence, and the conclusion fits Hammer Film standards, adding fire and panic to an otherwise dry viewing experience. Mood is established but never escalates, leaving the movie interesting in pieces, but on the dull side overall.