This is a film from Hammer Films that was directed by Terrence Fisher--a man who made many of the more famous horror films for this studio. Oddly, although Christopher Lee appears in the film, he's in a supporting role and Anton Diffring, a man NOT used to starring roles, plays the leading man.
The film begins with a bizarre art show. That's because the artist is a doctor and he never sells his statues. Additionally, he shows them off once and never lets anyone see them again! None of this made any sense, but the idea that followed is pretty interesting. It seems that although Diffring looked to be in his early to mid 40s, he was supposed to be 104 years old! It seems that he'd discovered a way to make himself live forever--but there was a price. Every ten years, he needed to kill in order to obtain a needed gland that would keep him alive.
While all this is pretty exciting stuff, the execution left an awful lot to be desired. You'd think with such a creepy plot it would naturally be exciting, but sadly it wasn't. Part of it may have been that the role didn't fit Diffring's talents very well and part of it may just be the very pedestrian script. All I know is that I found myself being rather bored towards the end and it's not one of Hammer's finer moments.
Note that the DVD release contains no extra features at all--just an adequate print of the film. Also, near the very end you find the one lady you think is dead is still alive but quite mad. You wonder why Diffring killed a prostitute for the gland but left this poor wretch locked in a dungeon--this didn't make much sense.
The film begins with a bizarre art show. That's because the artist is a doctor and he never sells his statues. Additionally, he shows them off once and never lets anyone see them again! None of this made any sense, but the idea that followed is pretty interesting. It seems that although Diffring looked to be in his early to mid 40s, he was supposed to be 104 years old! It seems that he'd discovered a way to make himself live forever--but there was a price. Every ten years, he needed to kill in order to obtain a needed gland that would keep him alive.
While all this is pretty exciting stuff, the execution left an awful lot to be desired. You'd think with such a creepy plot it would naturally be exciting, but sadly it wasn't. Part of it may have been that the role didn't fit Diffring's talents very well and part of it may just be the very pedestrian script. All I know is that I found myself being rather bored towards the end and it's not one of Hammer's finer moments.
Note that the DVD release contains no extra features at all--just an adequate print of the film. Also, near the very end you find the one lady you think is dead is still alive but quite mad. You wonder why Diffring killed a prostitute for the gland but left this poor wretch locked in a dungeon--this didn't make much sense.