UK, West Germany, 1963
83m
35mm film, black and white, 1.66:1
mono, English
A British/West German science fiction film directed by Freddie Francis. Production started on 2 April 1962 at Twickenham Studios.
Plot Summary
Scientists Peter Corrie and Frank Shears remove and preserve the brain of businessman Max Holt whsoe body has been killed in an air crash. Holt begins exerting hypntic control over Corrie, forcing him to track down the man responsible for the man who sabotaged the aircraft and murdered him.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Freddie Francis
© MCMLXIII [1963] Raymond Stross Productions Ltd
A Garrick-British Lion release through BLC [UK prints only]. A Raymond Stross-C.C.C. production. A Governor Films release [US prints]
Produced by: Raymond Stross; Artur Brauner [uncredited]
Production Supervisor: George Fowler
Screenplay by: Robert Stewart [real name: Robert Banks Stewart] and Philip Mackie
Based on the Novel Donovan's Brain by: Curt Siodmak
Assistant Director: Buddy Booth
Script Supervisor: Pamela Davies
Director of Photography: Bob Huke [real name: Robert Huke]
Camera Operator: Eric Besche
Editor: Oswald Hafenrichter
Music Composed and Conducted by: Kenneth V. Jones
Director of Sound: Stephen Dalby
Sound Mixer: Bill Bulkley [real name: Leonard Bulkley]
RCA Sound Recording
Wardrobe: Jackie Cummins
Make-up: George Frost
Hairdresser: Daphne Martin
Art Director: Arthur Lawson
Titles Designed by: Chambers & Partners
Aircraft Supplied by: British United Airways
Made at Twickenham Studios, London, England
Cast
Anne Heywood (Anna Holt
Peter van Eyck (Dr. Peter Corrie
Cecil Parker (Stevenson
Bernard Lee (Dr. Frank Shears
Maxine Audley (Marion Fane
Ellen Schwiers (Ella
Siegfried Lowitz (Mr. Walters
Hans Nielsen (Immerman
Jeremy Spenser (Martin Holt
Jack MacGowran (Furber
Miles Malleson (Dr. Miller
George A. Cooper (Thomas Gabler
Ann Sears (Stevenson's secretary
Irene Richmond
Alternative Titles
The Brain – US title
El cerebro – Spanish title
Den Døde går igen – Danish title
Ekdikisi – Greek title
Kuollut etsii murhaajaansa – Finnish title
Ein Toter sucht seinen Mörder – German title
L'uomo che vinse la morte – Italian title
Press
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.30 no.359 (December 1963) p.174 (UK)
“This preposterous mixture of crime, horror and science fiction, with a dash or two of neurosis, art and medical ethics stirred in, comes off unexpectedly well. With some notable photography credits to his record, director Freddie Francis not surprisingly has an eye for the startling or sinister image: the shadowy airport, the wild-eyed portrait of the telepathic tycoon, the brain dying in a swirl of chemicals. Once past the turgid dialogue of the opening scenes in the laboratory, direction, script and editing keep things roaring along with piled-on complications confusing the trails, and a neat. pay-off. A strong cast gives momentary credibility to the hocus-pocus, with Jeremy Spenser enjoyable as a repulsive father-hater. But pointless miplausibilities [sic] in the story – brain-baths apart – will jar on the observant spectator. And it's a bit much having apparently two alcoholics in one picture.” – from an uncredited review
References
Periodicals
The Daily Cinema no.8830 (25 October 1963) p.4 – credits, review
Filmblätter no.45 (3 November 1962) p.1013 – credits, review
Film-Echo/Filmwoche no.85/86 (26 October 1962) p.16 – credits, review
Kine Weekly no.2925 (24 October 1963) p.23 – credits, review
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.30 no.359 (December 1963) p.174 – credits, synopsis, review
Variety voI.226 no.6 (4 April 1962) p.21 – note (International Sound Track)
Variety vol.226 no.11 (9 May 1962) p.19 – credits (Hollywood production pulse)
Books
Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.46 – credits
The Straight Story from Moby Dick to Glory by Freddie Francis with Tony Dalton pp.111-113, 130, 136; 267 – notes; credits
Other sources
British National Film Catalogue vol.1 (1963) – credits
