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Re: Burke and Hare DVD versions


There is a DVD out there from the 1972 film "Burke and Hare". It is not easy to find but I managed to find it on E-bay. I have not received it yet but am anxious to see it since I am a dedicated Burke and Hare fanatic from a historical and celluoid point of view. So far in my opinion the best film adaption to this story is "The Flesh and the Fiends" starring a young Donald Pleasance and a great Peter Cushing. This adaption is very close to the actual true story of Burke and Hare. This 1959 film is also hard to find but is available through video on-line sources. Interestingly enough there are 2 different versions of this film; one for U.K. audiences and the other for Continental audiences which shows more nudity and violence than the U.K. version. Another good version is called "The Doctor and the Devils" and is easily found on DVD with Stephen Rea but for some copyright reasons names were changed to Fallon and Broom and Dr. Knox became Dr. Rock. This movie is not cheerful in any sense of the word; Edinburgh is shown as a completely dirty, depressing and crime ridden city. No sun shines in this version. The ending is particularly unforgettable when Fallon blames his hands for his murderous rampage. These are two versions which should be checked out by any Burke and Hare follower.

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Wonderful to meet a fellow Medical History fan, another film you might like you mentioned my favourite The Doctor and The Devils, is Corridors of Blood, again the names have been changed the date is six years out as well, it covers the discovery of Anaesthetics, Borris Karloss is the star, I'll be getting Burke and Hare off ebay, I'll let you know what I think, oh avoid the satire version there aren't many medical history films as it is I fumed when I saw it was a satire.

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To me there is no better version of the story of Burke and Hare then 'The Flesh and the Fiends" (starring a really young Donald Pleasance). There are 2 versions on the DVD; the Continental version which contains nudity and more violence than the toned-down U.K. version. Next, I would highly recommend "The Doctor and the Devils" (Timothy Dalton) and (Twiggy). In many ways this version is more seedy, dirty, and depressing (which Edinburgh might of really looked at the time). No sanitizing in this movie. I was able to get a copy of "Burke and Hare" a rare DVD I found on e-bay. I will not spoil it by saying what I thought of the movie as a whole but it does giving a interesting twist to the story, One also has to hear the opening title song to believe it!!! To me, these are 3 definitive film versions of the true story of Burke and Hare. Medical science has come along a long, long way since the 1830's.

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thanks for this, I'll get the continental version if I can, I prefer my Medical History as acurate as possible, Dr and The Devils, well you agree with me one of the best made, Yes its a pity our Medical History is not made into more films. No one cares about the 16th of October or 21st December 1846, but mention a war and its oh its got to be remembered.

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Actually both versions are on the same DVD which can be bought at e-bay (which I did months ago). There is only 1 edition of this DVD out there so you will not have to go checking out multiple versions of this seldom seen goodie!

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There is also THE BODY SNATCHER from 1945 which although not claiming to be the story of BURKE AND HARE covers similar ground and is based on a story by Robert Louis Stevenson. It stars Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Henry Daniell.

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Another version is a tv movie which the imdb lists as first airing in 1956. This one is called THE ANATOMIST and starred Alastair Sim.

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