Director: Man-hui Lee
Genres: Thriller
Country: South Korea
Language: Korean
Release Date: 10 July 1964 (South Korea)
Although he doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as his contemporaries, director Lee Man-hee is often cited by other filmmakers as one of Korea’s most talented directors. Recognized especially for his achievement in the thriller and war genres, Lee bequeathed such classics as The Marines Who Never Returned (1963), Late Autumn (1966, which many critics consider to be one of the best Korean movies ever - unfortunately, no print of the film is known to still exist, and so contemporary audiences are unable to watch it), and his final film The Road to Sampo (1975). Lee died while in post-production on this last film at the age of 45, and one wonders what he might have gone on to make if he hadn’t died so young. The most prominent writers of Korean film history have often downplayed the importance of action and thriller genres; hence Lee’s achievements in this genre have been somewhat overlooked. Nonetheless The Evil Stairs is perhaps Korea’s most accomplished psychological thriller movie ever, next to The Housemaid. Set in a gothic-looking two story hospital, the film focuses on an ambitious doctor who stands on the verge of becoming chief surgeon by marrying the daughter of the hospital’s owner. However, the doctor’s secret relationship with one of the nurses puts his plans in jeopardy, and when things start spinning out of control he reverts to drastic measures to cover up the affair. With its striking setting and superbly executed black-and-white cinematography, The Evil Stairs remains a gripping and even frightening experience for contemporary viewers. Actor Kim Jin-gyu in the title role and Moon Jeong-sook as the nurse both excel in their roles, completely convincing in their portrayals of betrayal, revenge, and guilt-induced paranoia. Audiences are sure to find Lee Man-hee’s film, which has fallen into obscurity in Korea and is almost completely unknown abroad, as a hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered.
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