The Burke and Hare tale has been filmed many times. This film should make no apologies for not stressing the horror elements. Instead it tackles the historical elements. Sim is good as the head strong completely dedicated Dr. Knox. He faces the hypocrisy of the day where people demand cures but within the confines of proper social behaviour. Knox knows that if medicine is to march forward it must ignore such hypocrisies. George Cole plays his earnest but weak willed assistant. Jill Bennett does a lovely job as Cole's annoying, dim fiancée.
There are some genuinely creepy moments but the story focuses on Knox and his battle with proper society. One reviewer called this a poverty row production! Sorry, but this is what much British TV looked like in 1956. It's low budget compared to films but a standard 1956 TV production. The best way to sum it up is to say it is not a horror film, but a fine TV drama from the period.
There are some genuinely creepy moments but the story focuses on Knox and his battle with proper society. One reviewer called this a poverty row production! Sorry, but this is what much British TV looked like in 1956. It's low budget compared to films but a standard 1956 TV production. The best way to sum it up is to say it is not a horror film, but a fine TV drama from the period.
