La Vengeance du docteur Corrie

While 'Donovan's Brain' wasn't the first movie version of Curt Siodmak's sci fi shocker, it is by far the best known and best remembered of the three adaptations (so far). As a corny but entertaining b-grade movie it is hard to beat, and wonderful fun. 'The Brain', an overlooked German/English remake, doesn't try to outdo it, it instead approaches the source material in a very different way. The sensationalistic thrills and mind control horror of the 1953 movie are replaced by a calmer, more atmospheric style which adds a mystery element not seen in the earlier version. The basic premise is the same (though the names have been changed). This time around the scientist experimenting with keeping monkey's brains alive outside the body is played by Peter van Eyck ('Wages Of Fear'). He is assisted by his beautiful wife (well, I think it's his wife) Ella (Ellen Schwiers, who is positively stunning, and a lot easier on the eye than Nancy Davis!), and his trustworthy alcoholic sidekick (Bernard Lee, 'M' of James Bond fame). Once again a plane crashes nearby and the sole survivor is taken back to their lab. Once again the man cannot be saved but the scientist decides to keep his brain. As in 'Donovan's Brain' the brain survives and begins to exert control over the scientist. But it isn't in the same way, it is much subtler, and instead of domination, the brain wants something else - justice. For in 'The Brain' the millionaire has been murdered, and most of his family and associates are suspects. This interesting twist, plus the superior cast, makes this movie a rarity - a worthwhile remake. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say it surpasses the earlier movie. It is less silly and more intelligent, but not necessarily more entertaining. I enjoy both movies in different ways, and recommend them both.

Yes, Freddie Francis had used us to so many excellent horror yarns, that this one - another version of Curt Siodmak's DONOVAN'S BRAIN - could not bring anything new to the prestigious career of this director, the only one that could be compared to Terence Fisher; even more than Roy Ward Baker or John Gilling, in terms of horror Hammer or Amicus Productions. But it is OK; a good time waster, thanks to Peter Van Eyck's performance. So, don't despise it either, but if you have the choice among Freddie Francis' filmography choose PARANOIAC, NIGHTMARE, HYSTERIA, and all the Amicus productions such as DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORROR.

Back in 1944, Hollywood produced "Lady and the Monster". Not even a decade later, they remade the film as "Donovan's Brain". Now, less than a decade after that, the British remade the film yet again as "The Brain"! I've seen the other two films and decided to see if the British version is any better. And, after seeing it, I am not sure I'd say it was better...more very different.

Dr. Corrie (Peter van Eyck) is one of those researchers whose humanity and ethics take a back seat to his research. He's been working on trying to keep brains alive after the rest of the monkey has died and he's longing to try his experiments out on humans. Soon, an opportunity practically drops in his lap when an airplane crashes nearby. Everyone on board is dead or dying and the one living victim is nearly dead. So, Corrie decides to try out his experiment and he ends up keeping the brain of a cruel industrialist alive.

This brain apparently is from a man with a strong will, as soon it begins controlling Corrie and makes him investigate the airplane crash. Soon, folks are alarmed that Corrie keeps declaring that it was murder and that he seemed to know details of the case he shouldn't have known. How long until the murderer decides that Corrie is a liability and needs to be gotten out of the way?

This film, unlike the other two, is less a horror film and more a murder mystery. Van Eyck's acting is very nice and the story held my interest. Very good and different enough from the others that it's still worth seeing.

By the way, the prop brain they used in the film was too big...more like an elephant's brain than a human one!

An adaptation of film noir legend Curt Siodmak's novel, Donovan's Brain, The Brain offers up a murder mystery narrative to go with the mad science angle. It's not particularly thrilling but it does tick along nicely and director Freddie Francis has a keen eye for scene staging. Cast features Peter Van Eyck, Anne Heywood, Cecil Parker and Bernard Lee, and they all do what is required to make the material work. Stand out moments involve some delightfully monstrous paintings, a lie detector scene and all the sequences where Van Eyck is possessed by the brain of the powerful industrialist who was murdered by person or persons unknown. Good and safe "B" schlocky fare for the so inclined. 6/10

Freddy Francis directs another retelling of Donovan's Brain.

This is the story of a rich SOB industrialist who is killed, however his brain is saved. As scientists try to study the still living organ the personality of the "dead" man begins to exert itself on those around the brain tank.

Good, with expressive black and white photography, this too is a bit unremarkable and slightly dull, which is odd considering Francis' films tend to have a bit more life in them, even when they are poor.Interesting to see Bernard Lee (M from the early Bonds) in a different sort of role. Not bad but not really the gripping drama I wanted at 2am to keep me awake...it put me out.