I just got myself an old issue of FANGORIA and they had an interview with Freddie Francis inside. It had been quite a while since I had watched a Francis horror film, so I figured why not try one of his films. I watched this one, which was his first horror film (2nd to date) he ever directed. Is it good? Not really. I would say that Francis' work does get leaps and bounds better after his initial horror film. Like TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972) or THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS (1985). Maybe any true Freddie Francis fans might enjoy it more.
Brilliant Dr. Peter Corrie (Peter van Eyck) is conducting experiments on brains to try and further his knowledge in the field. He is working on a monkey's brain in the beginning of the film, which in one shot kind of looks like a watermelon. With the assistance of Dr. Frank Shears (Bernard Lee's next role after he had played M in DR. NO) he gets a hold of a still working brain within a dead body. Turns out it belongs to tyrannical tycoon Max Holt. During the film Holt and Dr. Corrie's brain are on the same wavelength, so Dr. Corrie knows things he shouldn't. In the end it turns into a murder mystery to solve his murder.
Sadly a mixture of good ideas with some kooky ones, which may have to do with it being a B-Movie from the early 60s, so it adds some silly sci-fi angles to things which are not believable. The whole murder mystery element when added really does suck a lot of the horror out of the picture. A blend of two genres that does not really work.
Also starring JacK MacGowran as Furber, who may be the most interesting character in the whole movie. He is aware of Dr. Corrie's theft of Max Holt's brain and is looking for payment to keep quiet.
Brilliant Dr. Peter Corrie (Peter van Eyck) is conducting experiments on brains to try and further his knowledge in the field. He is working on a monkey's brain in the beginning of the film, which in one shot kind of looks like a watermelon. With the assistance of Dr. Frank Shears (Bernard Lee's next role after he had played M in DR. NO) he gets a hold of a still working brain within a dead body. Turns out it belongs to tyrannical tycoon Max Holt. During the film Holt and Dr. Corrie's brain are on the same wavelength, so Dr. Corrie knows things he shouldn't. In the end it turns into a murder mystery to solve his murder.
Sadly a mixture of good ideas with some kooky ones, which may have to do with it being a B-Movie from the early 60s, so it adds some silly sci-fi angles to things which are not believable. The whole murder mystery element when added really does suck a lot of the horror out of the picture. A blend of two genres that does not really work.
Also starring JacK MacGowran as Furber, who may be the most interesting character in the whole movie. He is aware of Dr. Corrie's theft of Max Holt's brain and is looking for payment to keep quiet.