Robert Louis Stevenson's classic thriller of split personality has been filmed many times, but no version compares with this masterly adaptation by Rouben Mamoulian, which MGM bought from Paramount in 1941, and shelved in deference to its Spencer Tracy remake. A pre-Code production, this version fully exploits the erotic motifs of the original story. As Hyde's victim and sex-slave, Miriam Hopkins is convincingly pathetic yet at the same time highly sensual. Fredric March's performance is surely his best. He handles the transitions from scientist Jekyll to beast Hyde with amazing technical command, and is entirely convincing in both personae. As in his other early talkies (Applause, City Streets and Love Me Tonight) Mamoulian experiments with striking camera effects, such as the famous first-person camera in the opening scene, and expressionist sound effects. How he filmed one Jekyll-Hyde transition in a single take close-up remains his secret - it's a miracle of make-up and acting that will leave many gasping, and terrified!