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Horror Cult Classic

A necrophiliac doctor's macabre obsessions haunt two wives in Victorian London.

THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK

The candle of his lust burnt brightest in the shadow of the grave!

1962 · 1h 28m · NR · Horror · IMDB TMDB

In 1897 London, a woman weds a necrophiliac doctor whose first wife died under mysterious circumstances - and who might be returning from the grave to torment her successor.

Quick Answer

What is The Horrible Dr. Hichcock about?

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is a 1962 Italian horror film directed by Riccardo Freda about a necrophiliac doctor whose deadly obsessions ensnare both his wives in Victorian London.

Programmer's Pick

Riccardo Freda and Barbara Steele deliver a deliciously perverse slice of Italian gothic, mixing necrophilia, mistaken death, and a haunted manor. If 'parlour games' send a shiver down your spine, this one's for you.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in London, 1885, The Horrible Dr. Hichcock introduces us to Dr. Bernard Hichcock, a respected but deeply disturbed physician with a dangerous secret: his necrophiliac urges lead him to drug his wife, Margaretha, for twisted funeral roleplay. When an accidental overdose seemingly kills her, he buries her and flees the city. Years later, Hichcock returns with a new wife, Cynthia, to the same ominous house. But Cynthia soon becomes convinced that Margaretha's presence still lingers, and as she falls prey to her husband's bizarre rituals, she begins to suspect that his intentions are far more sinister than she ever imagined. Dripping with gothic atmosphere and psychological dread, this is Italian horror at its most macabre.

Details & Specs

Director
Riccardo Freda
Writer
Ernesto Gastaldi
Release
1962
Runtime
1h 28m
Country
Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Horror
Also Known As
L'Effroyable Secret du Dr. Hichcock, The Horrible Dr. Hichcock, O Demônio e o Dr. Hichcock, O Horrível Segredo de Dr. Hichcock, The Terror of Dr. Hichcock, To tromero mystiko tou Dr. Hichcock, El terrible secreto del Dr. Hichcock, Fryktens time, The Horrible Doctor Hitchcock, Original title: L'orribile segreto del Dr. Hichcock

Why This Matters

This 1962 Italian gothic horror, directed by Riccardo Freda and starring Barbara Steele, was released by Warner Bros. and is notable for being followed by Freda's The Ghost, which reused its leads and the Hichcock name despite having an unrelated plot.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Riccardo Freda Writer: Ernesto Gastaldi

Explore More

Why Cult

Italian Gothic Mood

Brooding Victorian settings, crypts, and horse-drawn carriages set the stage for a bleak, atmospheric nightmare.

Barbara Steele Menaced

Horror icon Barbara Steele brings her trademark intensity to the role of Cynthia, a new wife haunted by her predecessor.

Necrophilia & Parlour Games

Dr. Hichcock's twisted sexual obsessions push the boundaries of the genre, driving the plot into taboo territory.

Proto-Giallo Elements

Before Italian giallo fully bloomed, this film flirted with its DNA—mad doctors, fetishistic crimes, and a psychotronic edge.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Dr. Hichcock's necrophiliac urges and drug experiments

Threat

Dr. Hichcock's deadly obsessions

Effect

Wives drugged, buried alive, and targeted for murder

Setting

Victorian London manor

Questions from the Vault

Who directed The Horrible Dr. Hichcock? +

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock was directed by Riccardo Freda.

How long is The Horrible Dr. Hichcock? +

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock runs for 88 minutes.

What genre is The Horrible Dr. Hichcock? +

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is a horror film.

Where can I watch The Horrible Dr. Hichcock? +

You can watch The Horrible Dr. Hichcock on SassyFlix.

How does Dr. Hichcock conceal his necrophiliac obsession from his wives? +

Dr. Hichcock uses drugs to render his wives unconscious, disguising his necrophiliac rituals as medical procedures or 'parlour games.'

Trailers & Clips