The Invisible Man (1933)

The quality is quite visible

A maverick researcher (Claude Rains) uses an invisibility drug on himself, then goes into hiding while attempting to develop an antidote. Unbeknownst to himself, the drug also induces megalomania, and before long he will become the terror of the English countryside.

Although it may have been a severe miscalculation for Jack Griffin to subject himself to the drug before he had a countermeasure, there are no miscalculations on the part of director James Whale, who is responsible for some of the very best vintage Universal horror pictures. The special effects are surprisingly good for the era and present no bar to enjoyment. The script, though it departs significantly from the H.G. Wells source material, is intelligent. No review of this film is complete without praise for Rains, who appears only at the very end and only for a moment, but whose superb vocal performance and physical expression, while hidden under bandages, presents a fully realized character.
August 30, 2008

Excellent film that needs to be seen!

This is a classic film. Bear in mind while watching it that this was done in 1933 and the effects are amazing for it's time. If you have read HG Well's book, upon which the movie was based, you will not be disappointed. While it is not a verbatum screen play, this movie is true to the spirit of the story and does follow the book closely. The additional features are nice too. December 14, 2007

One Of The Classics of Sci-Fi Horror

Although this film deviates somewhat from H.G. Welles novella this is an excellent adaptation that is still entertaining seventy years after its first release. The setting of England in winter is well conveyed though we know that in all probability the film was made on a Southern California sound stage. The special effects are amazing for 1933 and one can only imagine the marvel it was for 1930's film goers to see the invisible man's antics which at first are playful but evolve into murder. Much of the acting may seem melodramatic or "stagy" to modern viewers but if taken in the historical context it does not detract from the enjoyment of the film. My one quibble is the romance between "Jack" (the invisible "one") played by Claude Rains and "Flora" played by Gloria Stuart seems forced, unnecessary and unlikely. November 19, 2007

A CLASSIC UNIVERSAL PICTURE! RAINS & CO. SHINE!

The Invisible man is one of those old movies that gets lost in the crowd. This picture is one of Universal's best. The Invisible Man Legacy collection includes this film with the 2 sequels, plus two unrelated films about invisibilty. 'The Invisible Man' film is the only film from Universal's Invisiblity catalog that is available on a single DVD by itself but, it's well worth picking up the Legacy set to get all 5 films! Rains and Co. are great in this science fiction tale. Like most Universal horror films, this film has tons of atmosphere and some really creepy images and sets. One in paticular is a close up of Rains wearing bandages and goggles that is just fantastic! The sequels are very good and this set should be in every horror film buffs collection. The DVD transfer on both releases are really good! August 14, 2007

Don't Meddle with Nature!

On a snowy night a man visits "The Lion's Head" in Iping. He wants private room with a fire. [Jenny's hair style dates to the 1890s.] This visitor wants to be left alone. There is the usual gossip about any stranger. Next we see the place where Jack Griffen worked, a place that developed methods for food preservation. But Jack often worked alone in secret. There is a dispute when the visitor is behind in his rent. A policeman is called because of the assault. The wife of the tavern owner plays her part over the top for comic effect. They must arrest the stranger before he takes off his clothes. Being invisible gives great power; will it be handled responsibly?

The scientists talk about Jack's experiments. He used a little known drug that bleached color and also affected the material. Jack visits Kemp for help; he is tired, cold, and hungry. [The food eaten can be seen until it is digested.] Jack's commands shows his state of mind. Griffen tells of his obsessive search for the secret of invisibility. The drugs he took inflamed his brain; Griffen has great plans for personal power. But Griffen must return to retrieve his valuable notebooks. The police Inspector decided the story about an invisible man was a hoax; then an ink pot was thrown in his face!

Kemp is now a captive in his own home. The police send a thousand men to search for the invisible man; he will still leave tracks. They will search everywhere, no warrants will be needed. Will Kemp call the police to report Jack's presence? Had the invisibility drug driven Jack mad? His speech suggests this. The police arrive, Jack escapes but promises to kill Kemp that night. The police have a plan to capture this invisible man; it can't fail, can it? But Nature works against Jack Griffen when the police find his hiding place. Jack can be heard if not seen. Will a few pistol shots stop the invisible man? [Can doctors treat an invisible man?]

The moral is to not meddle in things that should be left alone. Yet Jack worked in preserving foods via chemicals. Is this an argument against chemical foods, or "genetic modification"? Or against experimenting with drugs? This film is a condensed and simplified version of the novel. The story has smoothed out the details of Jack's past life. I think the story in the book was better.
June 26, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...