The Hands of Orlac (1961)
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Duration: 95 minuten
Alternative titles: Les Mains d'Orlac / De Handen van Orlac
Country:
France / United Kingdom
Directed by: Edmond T. Gréville
Stars: Christopher Lee, Mel Ferrer and Lucile Saint-Simon
IMDb score:
5,6 (628)
Releasedate: 1 December 1960
The Hands of Orlac plot
"The frightening nightmare of a man who finds himself with hands which he can't control!"
A pianist undergoes an operation to give him a new pair of hands. Unfortunately for the pianist, his new hands are originally the hands of a murderer. His hands take over his current life and he starts committing crimes.
Actors and actresses
Stephen Orlac
Nero the magician
Régina / Li-Lang
Louise Cochrane Orlac
Dr. Francis Cochrane
Mr. Felix
Maurice Seidelman
Inspector Henderson
Professor Volchett
Graham Coates
Reviews & comments
Collins
-
- 7641 messages
- 4558 votes
In a plane crash, the hands of celebrated concert pianist Steven Orlac are severely damaged. A transplant gives him the hands of serial killer Vasseur, who was just executed. After the successful operation, his new hands seem to lead a life of their own and incite their owner to sinister deeds. The discovery of a dead cat raises the worst suspicions.
Is the personality change that gradually begins to take place in Orlac due to his psychological instability and neurotic imagination, or are his hands truly acting willfully? It is an interesting question that occupies the viewer as Orlac's state of mind visibly descends into desperate and dark abysses. A good performance by Mel Ferrer, who gives an impressive portrayal of the tormented Orlac. The film also features Christopher Lee as the antagonist with a magic act who plays a dirty game to drag Orlac across the threshold of decency and benefit himself. Lee portrays his character slickly and cunningly, showing that he is capable of more than playing a bloodthirsty vampire.
The film is not equally interesting at every moment. The mystery of the hands, however, remains intriguing. The hands and the acting duo Ferrer-Lee make the film worth watching. Around them, the story meanders somewhat aimlessly and generates barely any tension. There are a few pleasant scenes here and there. Worth mentioning in that regard is Lee's variety act, as well as the scenes in which Ferrer, with a stubbly face, a worn-out jacket, and a drunken look, surrenders to his powerlessness and depression in the seedy underbelly of Marseille.
The Hands of Orlac never truly became gripping. After many twists and turns in the story, love naturally saves everything, leaving the viewer with the question of who brought the cat to its end. I'm sticking with Orlac.
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