The Curse of Frankenstein
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Movie Reviews of The Curse of Frankenstein
Movie Review: Legendary Hammer Horror Picture That Remains Influential to This Day.
Summary: 4 Stars
Viewed: 9/05
Rate: 8
9/05: A sensational Hammer Horror feature, The Curse of Frankenstein involves beautiful colors and rich cinematography and is very nicely adapted to the nineteenth century style. The overall acting is fantastically done. Horror films, by that time they were made, were relatively primitive and tame, but The Curse of Frankenstein, made in 1957, pushed itself one notch above the standards and should be the benchmark of its time. Peter Cushing, this being my first film for him, is a delicious surprise for me while I was anticipating him in the likes of Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, but he resembles nothing like them. Robert Urquhart played a perfect imitation of Alec Guiness. The way he says "madness" reminds me the line from the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. I especially liked the relationship between the tutor and Baron Frankenstein, and it was of the most adeptly developed part in this film. Defeating my misconception that The Curse of Frankenstein would be perfunctory of Frankenstein films, this flick isn't so and is far away better than the original Boris Karloff's Frankenstein. The Curse of Frankenstein is a good contender as the Best Frankenstein film made, but Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein takes the top honor for now. Meanwhile, I would love to revisit The Curse of Frankenstein for the enjoyment of it.
Movie Review: Classic Hammer
Summary: 4 Stars
I will watch any movie with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is even better when that movie happens to be a horror classic. The Curse of Frankenstein happens to fall into that category. This is the movie that launched Hammer films association with the classic Universal monsters. Though at this time, they were not allowed to copy the monster look from the Universal film. They re-scripted the Frankenstein story so that more closely resembles the Mary Shelley novel. Cushing plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein with Lee cast as the monster. The movie has the trademark Hammer gothic look and was directed by Terrence Fisher.The picture quality of the DVD is superb. The picture is presented in widescreen format. The colors are bright with no signs of scratches or dirt as far as I could tell. You would never know this movie is over 45 years old. The sound is presented in its original mono track. Voices come through loud and clear. There are very few extras. There is a film trailer and a still gallery with film facts called "The Making of a Monster". It would be nice to have Lee record a commentary at some point. Hammer went on to produce 6 more Frankenstein films, with Peter Cushing in the title role of 5 of them. The Curse of Frankenstein should be the cornerstone of any good classic horror or Hammer DVD library.
Movie Review: Hammer's Beginnings
Summary: 4 Stars
The classic Hammer Studio's first major foray into the horror genre remains one of its best. Long unavailable, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' features two great performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Cushing creates a sinister but understandable Doctor and Lee gives new dimension to (what had become) a tired role in the Universal canon. Lee today still has a tremendous mind and memory, and has been doing some of his best work (in the recent 'Lord of the Rings'). 'Curse' was followed soon after by 'Horror of Dracula' (now released simultaneously on DVD). For an introduction to Hammer's stylistics and genre makeover, you can't start much better than these two films. (Though do check out Anchor Bay's recent years' releases)Movie Review: I like it better than Hammer's Dracula
Summary: 4 Stars
The first of Hammer's monster movies, this one is less known today than Horror of Dracula. Both star Peter Cushing (here as Baron Frankenstein) and Christopher Lee (as the creature). Personally I like this one better than Dracula. Peter Cushing is given more opportunity to shine in this role than he got as Van Helsing, and the Jimmy Sangster's script is well written and character driven. There are many great scenes between Viktor Frankenstein and his mentor, Paul. And Christopher Lee is a good creature, very different from that of Karloff. Recommended for all horror fans.Movie Review: Frankenstein in glorious technicolour for the first time!
Summary: 4 Stars
The Curse of Frankenstein was the first of the many gothic horrors for which the Hammer Studios became renowned, and it remains one of the best.Fisher's seminal film contains all the sophistication, irony and terror that made the Hammer Frankenstein series so successful and memorable. Peter Cushing plays the villianous Baron magnificently, and Christopher Lee presents us with an original and sympathetic portrayal of the creature. Production design is stunning, especially some of the lush matte paintings, and veteran James Bernard supplies one of his best scores.