The Invisible Man is a Universal film I don't think I've ever seen before until now. I've of course seen the Kevin Bacon title Hollow Man which I believe holds a similar narrative to which a man creates a way to turn invisible, leading to a chaotic and evil life as he takes advantage of his newly discovered power. I had no doubt that The Invisible Man from 1933 would be a more impactful experience though. One that holds more atmosphere and attention to its story. I suspected that the story would be something similar to Hollow Man though, a similar setup. Though I was surprised to see that 1933's The Invisible Man would start immediately with our protagonist already invisible. A much more engaging introduction that has us thrown into the mystery of what had happened.
I really liked the start of the film, with him arriving at a pub and inn in search of a place to stay. Already covered in bandages and covered up, with nothing of his body to be seen. People of course immediately starting to question the oddity of his appearance. His speech relatively polite, but concise. Displaying a character that isn't necessarily evil, but one that could easily be pushed over the edge. One with great mystery to him. It's only after this that we get a glimpse of his body being invisible, followed by the inevitable context that explains he was some sort of chemist that would experiment in secret, only to have disappeared without a trace. This is a film with a short runtime, so it certainly doesn't waste any time getting into things.
The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man quickly dives into a story of desperation. One in which a man has reached a near point of insanity in attempt to return his state back to normal. Stressed and fuelled by the fear of never knowing whether he can remove what has been done. The panic sending him off into secrecy, trying to find a place in which he can work alone and devote his attention purely to the chemistry that led to this event in the first place. Though his general angered demeanor only draws in more attention. Though he finds some humour in the fact that he is invisible still. Tormenting those who try to disrupt him, coming to the realisation of his power, and that he as an invisible man can do anything he pleases, free of any consequence.
The way the invisible man adds comedy to the scenes in pretty fun. For a film that starts off with so much mystery, it quickly dives into one of idiocy. As he roams the streets invisible and mocking everyone he comes across. This is the first time I've seen such sort of humour mocking people in a film from this era, and it was done so still with some elegance to it, from the time period it comes from. The ways of speech and the general standard of its society. Though it quickly moves forward into the story of what the invisible man has done. One interesting note is how the news reports on this act, and how it assumes a disease has spread that causes the delusion of an invisible threat. I really liked this little addition, showing the world and how it would interact to such stories, making the story seem far bigger within the world it is taking place within.
Some of the descent into madness for the invisible man comes from the chemistry itself. The plant that was used to turn him invisible having displayed characteristics of madness in previous studies in the past, based on the results in other research papers. Something the scientist didn't really know of prior to his own studies. This produces the thirst for power, the lack of patience and the intensity of his belief that he is above all else. To which it worsens as time progresses. It's a nice addition that pushes the story forward, giving our protagonist more justification for becoming evil. And this gives us a reason to feel some sympathy for the character, knowing his more delirious acts were not of his original character.
With the practical and special effects within the film, it's quite an impressive production for 1933. It's shot in a really creative manner that holds some beautiful directing and cinematography to it. I think this is a perfect story to display that creativity. The movements of the camera, the movement of objects with nothing attached to them. The use of miniatures to display certain environments and events. Even the costume design to portray the invisible man. I can understand why this film had the impact it did. Even as far as to see a new comic based on the story being released this month.
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