Jude Law portrays Steven, a gorgeous man whose life is devoted to seducing women. He also may or may not be a murderous vampire. After an endless string of unsuccessful relationships, he meets Anne, who threatens to curb his uncommitted ways. The mystery surrounding Steven's vampirism, combined with a steamy eroticism, makes for a thrilling viewing experience in this film from Leong, making his first return to the director's chair since 1991's ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI.

Chinese director Po Chih Leong's (HONG KONG 1941) darkly elegant thriller THE WISDOM OF CROCODILES is an addition to the modern urban vampire genre, alongside movies like NADJA and THE ADDICTION.

Steven Grslcz (Jude Law), a strikingly handsome London medical researcher, seems to have everything. This includes, however, the habit of gruesomely killing his girlfriends. Steven is a vampire, and he is thus on a constant quest to seduce women in order to feed his blood thirst. The twist is that the women must love him in order for their blood to provide sustenance. A smoothly effective killer, Steven is thrown off track by the beautiful, independent Anne Levels (Elina Löwensohn), who challenges him to balance his good and evil sides. Meanwhile, after the discovery of Steven's last victim, Maria (Kerry Fox), suspicious policeman Inspector Healey (Timothy Spall) keeps close watch on Grslcz. Steven believes his quest for "perfect love" has ended with Anne--but this love may actually kill him. Will Steven be redeemed by Anne's love, and if so, will he live to enjoy it?

Theatrical release: July 14, 2000 (USA - Limited)

The film's title comes from the Francis Bacon quote, "It is the wisdom of crocodiles that shed tears when they would devour."

Elina Löwensohn (Anne Levels) plays the vampire, not the victim, in Michael Almereyda's NADJA.

Jude Law (Steven Grslcz) garnered a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Dickie Greenleaf in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (1999).

Director Po Chih Leong has directed fifteen feature films, most of which were filmed in Cantonese in Hong Kong.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access

Distributor Notes: Immortality

Jude Law (THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, EXISTENZ) brings a powerful presence to a dark, mysterious crime thriller in the tradition of THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY and DOUBLE JEOPARDY. Steven (Law) is handsome, successful, charming ... and a lethal master of seduction! By the time the body of his latest conquest is found at sea, Steven has already moved on to his next victim. But as this moody, intelligent beauty (Elina Lowensohn) proves frustratingly elusive, it merely intensifies Steven's impassioned pursuit of a love he literally cannot live without! Stylish, suspenseful, and filled with terrific performances, you'll find this boldly unique thriller to be thoroughly entertaining!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Jude Law: British Actor, WILDE (1997)
Elina Löwensohn: Actress/"Simple Men"
Timothy Spall: British Actor, TOPSY-TURVY (1999)
Kerry Fox: Australian Actress
Jack Davenport: British actor, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, SWINGTOWN
Colin Salmon: Narrator, EMPIRES - HOLY WARRIORS (2005)
Rick Lamont: Actor
Ashley Artus: Actress

Po-Chih Leong: Director

David Lascelles: Producer
Carolyn Choa: Producer

Paul Hoffman: Screenwriter

Orlando Gough: Composer
John Lunn: Composer

Robin Sales: Editor, KEEPING MUM (2006)

"...[Law is] sexy and mesmerizing....[The director] supplies some stylish, effectively creepy moments..."
"...A philosophical thriller....Intriguing..." -- Rating: B+