I, Monster


I, Monster is a 1971 British horror film directed by Stephen Weeks for Amicus Productions. It is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with the main characters' names changed to Dr. Charles Marlowe and Mr. Edward Blake.

Plot

Psychologist Charles Marlowe invents a drug which will release his patients' inhibitions. When he tests it on himself, he becomes the evil Edward Blake, who descends into crime and eventually murder. Utterson, Marlowe's lawyer, believes that Blake is blackmailing his friend until he discovers the truth.

Cast

It stars Christopher Lee as the doctor and his alter ego, and Peter Cushing as Frederick Utterson, a central character in Stevenson's original story. Mike Raven and Susan Jameson also star. It was photographed by Moray Grant, with music by Carl Davis.
Peter Duffell, who had previously worked for Amicus, was offered the movie to direct, but turned it down. Financing came from British Lion and the NFFC.
It was intended to be shown in 3-D utilizing the Pulfrich effect, but the idea was abandoned upon release.

Reception

The film performed poorly at the box office. Time has been kinder to the film and it is now seen as a very faithful adaptation with Drew Hunt of Chicago Reader listing it as one of Christopher Lee's five best roles.