Movie spotlight
Master Over Life and Death
Barbara is married to Georg Bertram, a professor of medicine who once saved her father's life. Things go awry for the couple when she gives birth to a mentally defective child. For Georg, coldly clinical, euthanizing the infant is the only way out. He is about to commit the irreparable when Barbara manages to interrupt his fatal act. By mutual agreement, husband and wife decide that Barbara will go to Saint-Guénolé in Brittany, where she and their son will be cared for by Louise Kerbrec, Georg's former nurse, in the hypothetical hope that the boy's condition will improve. What they do not know yet is that Barbara will meet there another doctor, Daniel Karentis, much more sympathetic than Georg and also much handsomer.
Insights
Plot Summary
A scientist discovers a way to preserve bodies indefinitely, but his obsession leads to a dark pact. He finds himself in a race against time to save his dying wife, even if it means confronting death itself. The film explores themes of ambition, love, and the moral implications of scientific advancement.
Critical Reception
Released as a low-budget B-movie, 'Master Over Life and Death' received a mixed to negative reception upon its initial release. It was often criticized for its simplistic plot and dated special effects, but some praised its ambitious, if flawed, attempt at blending science fiction with horror and melodrama.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its intriguing premise of life-after-death.
Criticized for its low production values and uneven pacing.
Seen as a curious artifact of 1950s sci-fi horror.
Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Master Over Life and Death' are scarce due to its limited release and age. Those who have seen it often note it as a cult curiosity with an interesting, albeit dated, concept.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
Despite its title, this film is often confused with the 1945 film 'The Man Who Lived Again' (also known as 'The Man in Half-Moon Street'), and is sometimes misidentified by collectors.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources