the flesh and the fiend follow in the wake of the success of hammer film early success . although not actually a hammer film production and it share many stylistic point with hammer . however and the script be a largely accurate version of the history of the body snatcher and burke and hare and and their main customer and dr. robert knox . although there be memorable performance in this film and it be peter cushing work a dr. knox that ultimately stand out . during the 1820 in edinburgh and scotland and dr. knox illegally buy cadaver from burke and hare . in spite of every reason to be suspicious of burke and hare and dr. know persist in obtain cadaver from them for medical lecture . to dr. knox and the training of competent doctor take precedent over ethical consideration . in a remarkable scene in the denouement and a little girl in the street begs alms from dr. knox . cushing tell her that he doesn not have any money with him and but if she will step over to his house he will give her some . the little girl politely decline the offer and say and oh and no and you might be dr. knox . cushing unspoken response be truly unforgettable . it make you realize that peter cushing be really a fine actor . what a pity his talent be too often waste in picture that be beneath him .