What's this about?

Lately, it seems like many of the movies/shows are just a rehash or reboot of things that have already been done. And so I started to dive into the past. It's been fun, but I find myself losing track of which ones I’ve seen and whether or not I enjoyed them. Sometimes the titles themselves just don't tell me enough to remember.

I wouldn’t have voluntarily watched a lot of these movies when I was younger. It’s strange how interests change. That goes for what I read, too. I have another blog that explores books. I’m mostly reading older fiction and memoirs, and some of the books have led me to movies/shows and vice versa. In those cases, I may post the book review over here as well.

There will be spoilers, which is different than my book reviews. That’s mostly because I want to have enough information to help me remember what I’ve seen. I’m getting older. The brain doesn’t cooperate like it used to. What can I say? The gray hairs are catching up with me!

Monday, February 23, 2026

The Man Who Could Cheat Death - 1959

I had this on my watch list, because it looked weird, and I'm always up for that. While I was watching it, I felt like I'd seen it before, but I haven't been able to verify that.

In 1890 Paris, Dr. Bonnet has finished his statue of Margo. At the unveiling, he is reunited with Janine, a past love interest. She's currently in the company of Christopher Lee (who is sporting a questionable mustache - I'm not sure how I feel about it), but she still has a flame lit for Bonnet.

Ludwig is a fellow doctor and friend from Bonnet's past who is noticing a change in his friend. Bonnet needs an operation, or he will suddenly feel his 104 years. He also has some magic bubbling liquid in his safe that helps him stay young. When Ludwig discovers Bonnet has resorted to murder, the old man refuses to help Bonnet anymore. And then Ludwig pays the price.

And here's where Christopher Lee makes his mistakes. He tries to warn Janine about Bonnet, but she accuses him of jealousy, both of Bonnet's talents and her love for him. In other words, she's an idiot. Anyway, Lee heads over to perform the surgery (Ludwig couldn't perform it anymore due to a stroke), but when he hears Ludwig is gone, he refuses. Bonnet reveals he's holding Janine hostage, and Lee folds faster than a chair. Hmm, let this psycho loose or sacrifice a stupid woman. 

So he "performs" the surgery, and Janine finds Margo, who has gone insane in a dungeon with her bust. Let's think about this. Janine knows Margo has been trapped down in the dungeon, and Bonnet locked Janine in this place, but when Bonnet returns, she's all "Yes! I'll stay with you forever!" What?! Ugh, let her die. Unfortunately, Lee and the police find Janine, and she watches Bonnet turn old Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade style (and at one point he kinda looked like a turtle), Margo sets him and herself on fire, and the movie ends.

The font they used for the title credits for this movie were also weird, but it's a minor thing. Overall, I think if you're able to look past some of the super weird stuff, there are some interesting themes in there. When Ludwig is talking to Bonnet about whose life is more important, that was a really interesting conversation. Ludwig was, by far, my favorite was Ludwig. I feel like they weren't kind to him in the picture, but it didn't take away from the fact that he was the smartest and best character.

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