THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH On Blu-ray From Vinegar Syndrome

 

I was seriously considering titling this post "What would you pay to see Hazel Court naked??", but I thought that would be in bad taste. It does have to be stated, however, that the main selling point of this new 4K/Blu-ray release of a Hammer movie that already has been the subject of multiple HD versions is the fact that it contains shots of Hazel Court topless, shots that were considered lost for years. These shots have had a legendary reputation among Hammer geeks, so much so they have overshadowed the actual film itself. 

There's more than just the topless shots in this new restoration--the fiery climax is extended a bit, giving more exposure to the extreme old-age makeup sported by lead character Georges Bonnet, an effect that I must say is underwhelming. 

Vinegar Syndrome presents two versions of THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH on this special release: an uncensored version and a "Continental" version with the topless shots (which are very brief). This release has two discs, a 4K and a Blu-ray, and each disc contains both versions, with the Blu-ray having all the extras. 

The disc case states that THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH has been scanned and restored from 35mm camera negatives, and even though I just own a Blu-ray player, I have to say that this is one of the best Hammer transfers I've seen. It's much more colorful and sharper than the Kino Blu-ray of the movie that came out a few years ago, and it proves that the real stars of the film are cinematographer Jack Asher and production designer Bernard Robinson. 

Unfortunately despite the magnificent visuals, and more of the lovely Hazel, the story is still too talky and static, and Anton Diffring as Georges Bonnet, a man who has scientifically discovered how to live forever, is cold and not very interesting. THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH was based on a play (something the extras for this release remind one over and over again), and it feels like a stage production instead of an all-out Hammer Gothic. 

Vinegar Syndrome has given this release some exclusive packaging, such as a special case and a disc case slipcover with movie-inspired artwork. 

The extras include a program in which English Gothic expert Jonathan Rigby talks about THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH for about a half hour (ironically Rigby also was on an extra for the Kino Blu-ray of this title). Rigby mentions how the movie was developed, and why it isn't as well-remembered as the other Hammer horrors. Another program has Vic Pratt discussing Terence Fisher, and he basically mentions the typical Fisher attributes: he was a modest man, he was an efficient filmmaker, he was more interested in substance rather than style, etc. Melanie Williams provides a mini-bio of actress Hazel Court, specifically pointing out that Court had been acting onscreen for almost a decade before she started working for Hammer, and that the British film industry didn't seem to know what to do with her. (By the way, with the latest releases of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH, Court has been the beneficiary of two excellent restorations--she looks stunning in both of them.) 

There's also a very short interview with Hugh Harlow, who worked on the film as an assistant director, and he mainly states that he enjoyed the experience. An alternate censored ending is also included. 

This release also features a 40 page booklet, with three articles. Adrian Smith goes into the production history of the film, while Jon Dear's essay calls the film a "conceptual horror", while musing that Hammer might not have been the right company to make a version of this story. Finally Kieran Foster provides an appreciation of James Carreras, the high-living head of Hammer. One issue that I have with the booklet is that it has red lettering against all-black pages, and the text is not easy to read. 

A brand new audio commentary by Kim Newman and Stephen Jones is provided, and the two have a lively chat, discussing several facets about the movie, such as why Peter Cushing turned down the lead role, Jimmy Sangster's adaptation of the original story, and the acting careers of Anton Diffring and Hazel Court. 

Vinegar Syndrome's release of THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH is Region A. According to internet rumors the present-day Hammer is preparing their own release of this title. I assume that there is a rights issue that prevents Hammer from doing a home video release available for North America, much like the reason why there are American and English disc versions of the latest restoration of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. 

I have to say that THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH is not one of my favorite Hammers, but having a great-looking HD presentation of the truly uncut version of the film is worth buying it again. Vinegar Syndrome deserves many kudos for this special edition.