The Curse of Frankenstein
Directed by Terence Fisher
Written by Jimmy Stangster based on the classic story by Mary Shelley
1957/UK
Warner Bros./Hammer Films
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Baron Frankenstein: Let’s let our friend here rest in peace… while he can.[/box]
The first color Frankenstein movie delivers an evil doctor and a different kind of monster.
As the movie begins, Victor Frankenstein is a spoiled and imperious young kid who has already inherited the title of Baron from his deceased father. We see him help out his destitute cousin Elizabeth and her mother. He then hires tutor Paul Kempe.
Years pass and Paul becomes more a friend and associate than a teacher. The two start working on experiments to restore life, with the aim of reviving surgery patients. When this is successful, Victor (Peter Cushing) snaps and becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life. He starts robbing gallows and bribing mortuary attendants to get parts.
Elizabeth (Hazel Court) arrives to marry Victor, to whom she had been promised as a child. Paul falls in love with her but Elizabeth is resolutely loyal to her intended. Paul eventually becomes frightened and appalled by the lengths Victor will go to to obtain parts and pulls out of the experiment. He stays in the house for Elizabeth’s sake.
Victor eventually brings his creature (Christopher Lee) to life with the predictable consequences.
This is a very different version of the Frankenstein story from the Universal 1931 film. Here the doctor is a cold-hearted S.O.B. who is tramples on anyone in his way and is aware of the danger his creature presents. The creature bears no resemblance to the Karloff monster. (Actually, Universal was threatening suit the whole time if any elements of its franchise were borrowed by the movie). The lab setting is really creepy and cool. I wouldn’t rank this one as highly as James Whale’s film but it’s way up there. Recommended to fans of the genre.
Trailer
