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Rating:  -
I first saw this on T.V. when I was a kid, it was done by the BBC and developed as a mini-series. For years it languished unreleased on video and then poorly in a heavily edited VHS version. I bought this VHS and for years it was a treasure as it was the only version available other than off cable full length bootlegs. When I saw they were going to finally release this gem uncut, well I was giddy. I guess we could split hairs on the details compared to the actual Shelly novel, and argue the video transfer was not what it could be, but I won't. It wasn't that long ago that video collectors scrounged everywhere the could just to see hard to find titles like this, so DVD is really the golden age for collectors because it's only though this format we even get to now collect such titles at all. This is a wonderful tale and excellent period piece, and well anything with Jane Seymour looking this hot can't be bad. Rejoice those like me who have waited for a release like this, highly recommended.
Rating:  -
I remembered watching this when it was first on television, back in 1973 or '74. I was a kid then, but certain scenes 'stuck' with me -- the violent ends of Jane Seymour's character (both as Agatha and Prima); the pitiful condition of the Creature; the menace of James Mason as Polidori... So out of curiosity I thought I'd get a copy & watch it again as an adult.
I'm not sorry I did. This was a top-notch production for its day, with plenty of attention paid to accurate historical detail. (There's just one exception in that department: the men's hairstyles --these are all fairly 1970's. But the carriages, the sets, and the clothing are marvelous.)
The acting is generally superior, with the disappointing exception of Leonard Whiting, whose character could have been played by a block of wood for all the depth he displays in portraying Dr. Frankenstein. If only Whiting could have shown more of Frankenstein's inner torment, or even more regret, regarding his part in the creation gone so tragically wrong. Instead, all we get from Whiting is a kind of prissy disgust and anger with the Creature when the Creature begins to become physically repellent. (And Frankenstein should have been angry with himself, not the Creature. The total rejection of his Creature, and the 'why-me' attitude he displays is really annoying. It's a pleasure when James Mason's character calls him on this, too!)
I read the review here that talks about a gay subtext in the story. This isn't something I picked up on at age 11, but viewing it now, I guess it is there --if you're looking for it. Certainly Frankenstein and the Creature have an affectionate bond before the Creature begins to disintergrate -- and there is just that one small bed in Frankenstein's rooms... But I really didn't get the feeling that Frankenstein's feelings were 'that way' about his creation. No, Frankenstein is his friend, his guide, his brother --all these things much more than merely a lover, which makes Frankenstein's rejection of the Creature all the more heartbreaking. Frankenstein mentions that the Creature is in a 'state of childhood' just after his rebirth, and that was more the impression I got: that the Creature loved Frankenstein like an older brother or a father, and was dependent on him like a child is.
James Mason steals every scene he's in. I'd forgotten what a great actor he really was. Nicola Paget does what she can with the somewhat thankless role of Elizabeth, Frankenstein's wife (women are fairly superfluous to men in Frankenstein's world, except for Jane Seymour's Prima --Frankenstein and Polidori's successful creation-- who is desired by all). Michael Sarrazin (whatever happened to him?) gives a superb performance as the Creature -- almost totally without speech. Jane Seymour is absolutely beautiful-looking as Prima, and like Sarrazin, her speaking performance is minimal, yet she manages to convey Prima's soulless character with gestures and glances.
The production is somewhat slow moving, and too melodramatic at times toward its end. Perhaps it's better to say 'gothic' instead of melodramatic, given the time period in which the story is set. But I still enjoyed it very much, despite some creaky sections. It's held up well for a 35 year old television production, and I'd bet there are very few productions made today that will hold up nearly so well in another 35 years.
Rating:  -
I saw this when I was young and it was unlike anything else on TV at the time. Dark, haunting and horrifying, it wasn't like other "monster" movies I had seen. The production, script and acting were actually good relative to early 70s television. Jane Seymour had an excellent part and her final scene was memorable and shocking.
Rating: -
This is not Mary Shelly's Frankenstein it takes a lot of liberties. (which doesn't though?) First off the Monster is created not as a grusome creature but a handsome dandy. After awhile he begins to disintigrate. The process reverses and he turns into the ugly monster with the good heart we all remember from the book. It is a novel approach and works fairly well. All and all an entertaining 3 hours.
Rating: -
The '73 mini-series `Frankenstein - The True Story' is in my estimation the definitive film version of the Frankenstein Mythos. Finally a fully developed monster, the intended "Second Adam" appears before the audience displaying the full range Shelley's classic work. The creature moves subtly from perfection to grotesque, from innocence to degenerate showing the viewer the many faceted human (or non-human) emotions driving the creature along the way.
While this movie lacks the gothic atmosphere of some of the older, classic `Frankenstein' adaptations, this film delivers splendid production values, a stellar cast, a well conceived storyline and a profoundly intelligent, ongoing dialogue examining the nature of God, creation, the existence of the soul and the every blurring line between enlightenment and damnation. Such a rarity, a horror film offers depth and the opportunity for some afterthought after its conclusion. All that and the ravishing Jane Seymour too! It's almost too much to ask for.
My Rating: -4 ½ Stars-.
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