Customer Reviews

Edge of Sanity [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a fan of the dark and twisted (with an artsy edge), then Edge Of Sanity will enthrall you. Others should know by the film's packaging summary that this is going to be a perverse ride and BEWARE. Dogging this film is not fair considering other realms into sexual depravity such as From Hell and Eyes Wide Shut are just grandiose eye candy.

While experimenting with anesthetics, Dr. Jekyll accidentally inhales fumes from an altered drug. This unleashes not only ability to act out his inhibitions, it unleashes repressed sexual feelings he had experienced as humiliation during his childhood. He then goes on a killing spree as Jack The Ripper, and becomes obsessed with a prostitute named Susannah that closely resembles the woman from his past.

Yes, Edge Of Sanity is sinister, twisted, perverse, and trashy. It's also lavish, elegant, and beautifully done. The cinematography is excellent (MGM's DVD is a vast improvement over the old VHS from the late 1980s), the costumes are a wow, and the music score is superb as well as appropriate to the scenes it enhances. A lot of imagination went into this production, and it's unfair to say it's an inappropriate film considering the many other "critically acclaimed" attempts at the dark side of sexuality and drug addiction.

Anthony Perkins chews the scenery well, playing his part of Jack Hyde to the hilt. It would be hard to think of any other actor that could have carried this part so well. Those who adored him in Psycho, Pretty Poison, and Crimes Of Passion will find a lot to love about his role in Edge Of Sanity.

I first viewed this film in the late 1980s on an unrated VHS edition, and MGM's DVD is most likely the closest to that version there is. I found no difference that I could notice between that original unrated version and this one, taking into consideration that MGM has been reissuing many obscure films like this one in their uncut forms (such as The Burning) though they have a rating listed. For film collectors of the dark and sinister, this is a nice addition and you'll be pleased with the great transfer. The only extras are a trailer and subtitles, but that's fine considering the low price for this DVD. I'm just thrilled that MGM has rescued Edge Of Sanity from obscurity for a whole new audience to discover and relish as well as make established fans like myself very, very happy.

Call it trash if you want to, but it's quality, wicked, ELEGANT trash and a fascinating tale to savor.

I came across this unusual film while walking in a video store that specializes in the kinds of movies not often found at your local Blockbuster.

This film is a rather loose and artistic take on the story of Jekyll & Hyde but also combines the story of Robert Louis Stevenson with the legend of Jack the Ripper. Its an unusal almalgamation, but a fascinating and compelling idea.

I watched this film and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a darkly artistic film which clashes the morality of the late Victorian era with the prevalent excesses of the 1980's.

In addition, the story is altered to which Jekyll doesn't overtly wish to explore the darker sided of mankind which is why he does the experiment in the first place. His initial experiments involve a new drug which can be used as an analgesic or anasthetic, the white powder which isn't even named in the film but what we all know to be cocaine. It is only through an accident in the lab that Jekyll discovers 'freebasing', and his subsequent addiction to the drug is what triggers the trasnformations and unleashes his alter ego.

Anthony Perkins is without a doubt in his element in this film, able to play a mild-mannered physician with a slight limp, and act with utter relish as his dark side is unleashed as Hyde.

what is interesting and what may put off some people is that the prostitutes in the film look as though they are dressed up like Madonna. I'll admit the film isn't perfect but those things don't take away from the film, they add to it. It's why the film is so unique, because obviously not everyone is going to like it, its the sort of film that only appeals to those individuals that like a little something different with their horror films.

Anthony Perkins, famous for his compelling performances in Hitchcock's "Psycho" & Ken Russell's "Crimes Of Passion" plays the tormented physician (Henry Jekyll) whose dangerous experiments unleash his ... other side, the out of control Jack Hyde.
Perkins is perfect in his dual role. The movie is an explosion of nightmarish killings and perverted sex!

Some will say it's only a remake of DrJekyll and Mister Hyde. But there is a twist added to this classic. Mr Hyde is named Jack and his killings are attributed to Jack the Ripper, a completely different story. The beginning is also a second twist because it gives some traumatic experience Dr Jekyll, named Henry, had when he was a child and when he witnessed some sexual act he did not understand and was punished for it with a good spanking in a big volley of derisive laughter. Apart from that Mr Hyde is not in anyway distorted or looking like a monster. In fact it is Doctor Jekyll who uses a stick to walk because he limps. The best part of it is the very convincing acting of Anthony Perkins. One more exploration of insanity, here as the result of the past and the use of a drug.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Forget what the critics say - the only horror movies they ever like are the old black & whites anyway - this is a heck of an entertaining movie that isn't your typical Hollywood dreck. I only wish the ending were better... nonetheless, it still gets the big thumbs up in my book!

I wasn't surprised by the harsh reviews of others. This film is a look into the dark side of the psyche which most people fear to acknowlege. I belive this is Perkins best role of all times and I am surprised that this is not a more known film in the USA. Ok, so there is a sleaze factor... guess what ... life is!

I do think that the other reviewers of this movie are prudes. This is my favorite Anthony Perkins film, it is also his bisexual 'coming out' film. Its treatment of the medical uses of cocaine is historically accurate. Its blending of Jack the Ripper and Jekyl & Hyde is well done. Perhaps it is the irreverence and nontraditional philisophical digressions that trouble the other reviewers so. Overall an excellent film, unless you're a suburbanite with spouse, 2.3 kids, and a dog and you can't handle a look into the dark depths of the human soul.

Of course, any role played by the late, great Anthony Perkins is going to be done to the utmost perfection. There is also an absolutely superb supporting cast in this film as well. Unfortunately, the screenplay itself is not worthy of such talent. The only thing good about this film is the actors themselves. Too bad they couldn't have been casted for a better film. Watch this movie only for its artistic value and for the superb performances. Don't, however, expect a great film....you'll be disappointed.

ANTHONY PERKENS IS A GOOD ACTOR. HE CAN ALMOST PULL OFF ANYTHING, SINISTER. IN THIS MOVIE, I DON'T EVER THINK I SEEN HIM SO DAMMED EVIL. IT IS A TWO FACED DR. JEKELL & MR. HYDE. NO HOLDS BAR AS THEY SAY. THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU SEE THIS MOVIE. I HAVE TO SAY THEY PLAY WITH LOTS OF COLORS.

The following is a review about "Edge of Sanity" starring Anthony Perkins.

"Edge of Sanity" stars Anthony Perkins as Dr. Henry Jekyll, a physician whose experiments using cocaine go terribly wrong. Though based on a famous Robert Louis Stevenson story, the 1989 UK-France-Hungary-US production is actually a not-so-successful rehash of the topic we are all familiar with: Jack the Ripper. Here, the doctor turns into Jack Hyde, not Edward.

Yes, in "Edge of Sanity" Dr. Jekyll is a married man, probably in his fifties. Dr. Jekyll lives with Mrs. Jekyll (Glynis Barber), who doesn't know the eminent doctor's nightly activities including serial killings and kinky sexual behaviors. Sometimes the film looks like a curious blend of soft porno and a gore fest, with the overacting star wearing a zombie-like make-up.

The concept of "Jack / Hyde" could have been more intriguing with a slick narrative and convincing set-ups which "Edge of Sanity" just doesn't have. With minimum attention paid to character development or historical details, director Gérard Kikoïne only repeats the same pattern until the underwhelming climax. Except for the repetitious violence and sex the film doesn't make any sense at all. Avoid it.