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Rating:  -
The Bottom Line:
Almost everything done in the original Frankenstein, from horror to humor to social commentary, is done far better in the sequel; horror nuts might want to watch this film due to its "classic" status, but it's a not-so-great film that undercuts itself at almost every turn.
Rating:  -
The main reason for getting the 75th Anniversary edition was the new special features. I'm very pleased with the film and the special features. At least I was now able to watch one of the special features that was on the Legacy set. Still trying to find one of those double-sided discs that works right.
Rating: -
Frankenstein, the most celebrated of the Universal monster movies, released only 4-years into the sound era, continues to find its way into the American Film Institute's Top 100 films list and is continually called one of the best horror films ever made.
The film opens with the warning;
"I think it will thrill you, it may shock you, it might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you'd not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now is your chance to...Well, we've warned you."
We're quickly introduced to Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and his hunch-backed assistant (Dwight Frye) as they rob graveyards and the gallows for fresh cadavers. His goal is to create a living, breathing human from these spare parts, which he eventually, of course, does. This is a widely-known premise that has a 71-minute running time. For me to reveal anymore wouldn't quite be blasphemous but there's no point.
Of course, I have to mention one of the film's most legendary scenes in which the Monster encounters a young girl who accepts him and hands him some flowers which she demonstrates will float when thrown into the lake. When he runs out of flowers, he does the next logical thing and throws her into the lake. When he realizes she is not floating, like the flowers, he flees in horror. This scene is beautifully shot and the lack of musical score makes it even more haunting.
The film has beautiful art direction, even in the darkest, gloomiest sets. Also contributing to the timelessness of the film is the ominous photography, especially effective in the opening scenes with Henry Frankenstein and Fritz.
The performances are worthy of mention, as well. Colin Clive plays Henry Frankenstein with a demented ferocity...When he screams "it's alive! It's alive!" you can really feel the sense of accomplishment pulsating from the brain of a madman.
Then there's Boris Karloff in a performance that relies predominantly upon his brute physicality and minimal dialogue (i.e., grunting). It's this terrific performance that provided the archetype for the overall look and generally accepted image of the Monster.
It is widely considered a great performance and for a good reason. Besides embodying one of the most well-known characters in film history, Karloff gives this character tremendous sympathy...I believe Bela Lugosi was more impressive in his Dracula (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series) role, but he would not have been able to bring the amount of depth to this role that Karloff did.
I mention this because Lugosi famously turned down the role. A mistake for his career, a great thing for us filmgoers.
It's no mystery why the story of the Monster appealed to the openly gay director James Whale, but maybe the exploration of a (possibly) gay subtext is better suited to the film's sequel The Bride of Frankenstein. Frankenstein is unlikely to shock or horrify any member
of today's horror audience who have been desensitized by films like Saw and Hostel (Unrated Widescreen Edition), but it still retains its power to fascinate.
GRADE: A
Rating: -
I haven't seen this movie for 30 years or more, but as I watched, I felt the same sense of fear that I did as a child. Even my teenage children, who are long since used to more graphic scenes,sat with their eyes glued to the television. Frankenstein still thrills audiences of all ages. This is a must watch. We also enjoyed the extra information provided by the anniversary edition. This version is well worth the purchase price.
Rating: -
Universal had previously released two nice special editions of this film masterpiece,and mine for more gold from there beloved monster.
This edition has a beaut of a cover and case design,though I found problems with some of the pieces not being glued properly.
Not a big deal,but i've noticed some other people have confirmed the same problem.
The DVD features a great looking print of the film with clear audio and crisp picture that is probally the closest to pristine this 1931 picture will ever see.
Special Features are many,and there are the same ones from the previous release and than some.
You have the excellent documentary on the film,hosted by David J.Skal,the commentary by historian,Rudy Behlmer and the short subject,"Boo!".
New additions include ANOTHER commentary track by Christopher Frayling,which is enjoyable and enlightening,as well as a documentary on Boris Karloff,that benefits from having access to Universal Studio's film library.It's very entertaining,and a nice addition to the set.(Curiously the names of both the Karloff and Lugosi documentary(offered on the Dracula special Edition) are the same as the A and E Biographies made in the 90s.These are available on the great DVD set,Heroes of Horror from Image Entertainment.)
The film itself is one of the 100 most essential motion pictures ever made.A gothic masterpiece that was the culmination of the previous decade's fascination with expressionsim,this was the ultimate tale of shadows and the dark that Germany never made.
Whale's direction was just right,providing a good pace and peppering with a liveliness that makes Tod Browning's work on Dracula(1931) pale in comparsion.
The performances are top notch.Colin Clive is the definitive mad doctor as the young scientist,Henry Frankenstein and is supported by Dracula veterans,Edward Van Sloan as Dr.Waldman and Dwight Frye as the hunchbacked assiistant,Fritz.
Mae Clark gives a very modern bielevable performance as Henry's distraught fiance and Frederick Kerr makes a wonderful cantankerous,Baron Frankenstein.
Of course,it's Karloff who stands above all the performers in a towering portrayal that ranks among the most poignant and moving in cinema history.
Karloff gets alot of mileage out of the brilliant make up design by legendary Make Up Artist,Jack Pierce.
An absolutely mesmerizing experience worth returning to again and again,no Horror film has ever really duplicated the power brought on by this gothic masterpiece.
Still,one of the great films that belong in every film fan's collection.
This is a lovely edition for the life long fan and the newcomer that has yet to experience the magic of this timeless classic.
And a good film is worth repeating.
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