The Man Who Could Cheat Death 1959

Georges ends party; secret of youth

During a fashionable 1890 party at his Paris home, Georges abruptly ends the gathering. He keeps his youth by parathyroid gland transplants every ten years and a green elixir that must be consumed every six hours. The revelation hints at a dark price behind his seemingly ageless life.

Margo discovers elixir; Georges strikes her down

Margo, Georges's latest model, stumbles on him drinking the green elixir, realizing the secret behind his youth. She becomes a threat to his control once she knows too much. In a swift act of defense, Georges strikes her down.

Ludwig Weiss arrives; stroke disables operation

Three weeks after the party, Ludwig Weiss arrives from Vienna to perform the transplant but discovers he cannot operate because a stroke has paralyzed his right hand. He informs Georges that he cannot operate and urges him to find another surgeon. He also notes the elixir’s limited window before the next transplant would be required.

Ludwig arranges transplant with Pierre

Ludwig secretly convinces Dr. Pierre Gerrard to take over the transplant, claiming Georges is gravely ill and in urgent need of treatment. He withholds the true stakes of Georges’s immortality scheme to secure a willing surgeon. Pierre agrees, setting the stage for the risky operation.

LeGris arrives; dinner party investigation begins

Inspector LeGris arrives at a dinner party hosted by Georges for Janine Du Bois and Dr. Pierre Gerrard, signaling the start of the investigation into Margo's disappearance. He questions Georges about Margo and requests to see her bust. Georges denies knowing Margo and claims the bust is destroyed.

LeGris departs; Georges confesses to guests

LeGris leaves after Georges denies knowing Margo and destroys her bust in front of the guests. Later, Georges unexpectedly admits to his startled guests that he lied about the bust to avoid police interference. The confession heightens the tension and reveals Georges's paranoia.

Ludwig destroys elixir; Georges murders Ludwig

In a desperate bid to prevent exposure, Ludwig destroys the life-extending elixir. Georges retaliates by strangling Ludwig to death, sealing the turning point of the plot into a murder at the ceremonial setting. Pierre and LeGris are left to piece together the consequences.

Pierre arrives; Ludwig returns to Vienna

The following morning, Pierre arrives to perform the transplant, but Georges tells him Ludwig was unexpectedly called back to Vienna. Pierre refuses to proceed without confirmation, sensing the danger and ethical issues involved. The operation is effectively halted.

Georges seeks another surgeon; fails

Georges searches for other surgeons around Paris, but no one is willing to perform the risky transplant. His desperation grows as time runs out and his elixir window narrows. The city becomes a backdrop to his stubborn pursuit of immortality.

Disappearance pattern revealed

LeGris informs Dr. Pierre of disappearances of three young women at ten-year intervals in London, San Francisco, and Bern, each linked to a sculptor who was also a doctor but disappeared. The pattern deepens the mystery and strengthens the case against Georges in Pierre's eyes. Pierre remains cautiously skeptical given Georges's age.

Storeroom, figurine, and imprisonment

Georges takes Janine to his storeroom and proudly shows the first figurine he made as a boy, dated 1798. Janine disputes the date, implying Georges's age would be impossible. He reacts with cold calculation and then locks her in the storeroom.