United States 1920Language:Silent with English intertitlesDirector:John S. RobertsonWriter:Robert Louis Stevenson, Clara BerangerCinematographer:Roy F. OverbaughEditor:Karl MalkamesWith:John Barrymore, Charles Lane, Brandon Hurst, Martha Mansfield, Cecil Clovelly, Nita NaldiProduction Company:Paramount PicturesDistributor:Richard Siedhoff89 min

Through a series of experiments, Dr Henry Jekyll transforms himself into Mr Hyde. Now he can uninhibitedly live out his repressed fantasies of sex and violence. DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1920) is undoubtedly the best silent-film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic horror novella from 1886. “This atmospheric horror film has classic status, due above all to the sensational performance of John Barrymore in the double lead role, in which he partially mastered the transformation without the aid of the excellent make-up effects.” (FILMDIENST) Prof. Dr Michael Grisko will introduce the film. Richard Siedhoff will interpret the immortal classic on the organ in the Gothic ambience of the St Petri church.

Richard Siedhoff, born 1987 in Weimar, is the leading silent-film pianist and composer of his generation. Siedhoff’s arrangement of the original symphonic score to THE GOLEM: HOW HE CAME INTO THE WORLD (1920) was played at the opening of the 35th BIFF. Last year, he was our guest for the first time with his mobile 16mm cinema. This time, in addition to the projectors, Siedhoff is bringing his unabridged film copy of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE to the festival. 

Director's Filmography:
Photo Richard Siedhoff: © Elias Wachholz