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3 Responses to “The Curse of Frankenstein”

1. admin
   04月 30th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

   

   By peterfromkanata (Kanata, Ontario Canada)
   Shot in colour and released in 1957, “The Curse of Frankenstein” is, of course, the film that made Hammer Films a household name for horror/thriller movie fans all over the world. To fully appreciate the importance and impact of “Curse”, you have to look at it in the context of the time when it was made. By the mid-fifties, horror films had long passed their peak in Hollywood–certainly in terms of quality. Black and white “quickies”, with almost no budget, were being churned out for teenagers to watch at the drive-in ( at least, those who were watching the screen ! ) Shlock-masters like Roger Corman and Bert Gordon were turning out “masterpieces” like “The Wasp Woman” and “The Amazing Colossal Man”.
   Suddenly, we have a small studio in England, making a horror film with excellent production values, gorgeously creepy sets, fine costumes, professional actors and a talented director, Terence Fisher. At the same time, along with a classy look, you add liberal amounts of gore ( certainly by 1950s standards ), and a couple of voluptuous “damsels in distress” who can scream lustily when they encounter the monster. It was a winning formula that Hammer would raise to an art form.

   Peter Cushing plays Baron Von Frankenstein, and his terrific performance dominates the film. His character goes through quite a transformation from curious scientist to an obsessive fiend, determined to “create life” at, literally, any cost. His mentor/friend Paul Krempe ( Robert Urquhart )is an enthusiastic assistant at first, but soon becomes alienated by the Baron’s frantic and ultimately murderous behaviour. Sometimes body parts are easily available–sometimes you have to be “creative” in obtaining them !

   Of course, this flesh and blood “jigsaw puzzle” comes to life in the form of a hideous, pathetic creature played by Christopher Lee, who soon breaks loose, displaying no appreciation whatsoever for being “born” ! As I mentioned earlier, two beautiful women “round out” the cast. Gorgeous Hazel Court is Elizabeth, the Baron’s betrothed, and Valerie Gaunt is Justine the maid. Justine is, as they say in England, the Baron’s “bit on the side”–when she threatens to spill all the Baron’s secrets unless he marries her, you just know that her future is “cloudy”.

   “Curse” may not be Hammer’s best film, but it put the studio on the map and started an enduring partnership of two very fine actors–Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

   The DVD exhibits good colour, with occasional haziness and mono sound. The extras are sparse–a few notes on other Hammer films, and a trailer. I would have loved some comments from Mr. Lee–sadly Peter Cushing passed away some time ago.

   Still, if you like classic horror films, “Curse” has to be in your collection–its importance cannot be over-estimated. Recommended.

2. admin
   04月 30th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

   

   By MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b “DR SHOCK” (TRI STATE AREA)
   I have always been a classic Universal horror films fan and was never that big a fan of the Hammer interpretations. This was because of my loyal devotion to the original classic Universal films. If you compare the Hammer films to the true classic Universal films then I would say they pale by comparison. Unfortunately the classic films were replaced with some rather cheaply made quickies in the 40’s and 50’s. Even though these cheaper films may hold fond memories for those who grew up with them, it is easy to see that these Hammer films were a much needed improvement. The biggest factor was they were shot in glorious color! I know…I know….Color? I love the old black and Whites as they have an unsurpassed creepiness. Now that so much time has gone by, I thought I would give Hammer another try. What better place to start than with Hammer’s breakthrough film “The Curse Of Frankenstein”! This film showed nowhere near the blood I remembered as a kid. I know that this is not the case in the next installments and later Hammer films, which show blood, guts and ……CLEAVAGE! OH Yes, we were not going to be getting any of that back in the 30’s LOL! The film is very good, but the story strays worse than the original Karloff Frankenstein from the book. The make-up pales in comparison to Jack Pierce’s genius work, but it does show some style and is frightful! Over all this is a very good horror film with great actors, sets and a restored passion to a dying genre…at the time. The DVD transfer looks very good but has minimal extras…..too bad!

3. admin
   05月 1st, 2008 at 12:52 am

   

   By Archmaker (California)
   Previous reviewers have placed the film historically. This was the first horror film I saw in a theatre. I was 8 years old and it scared the holy bejabbers out of me. I couldn’t watch scarey movies for a year. I subsequently became a horror movie fan, in part to overcome the fear this move generated in me. Curse of Frankenstein has always held a special memory for me. So, upon viewing again I am still amazed by the power of the unmasking scene. The jerky pan into the closeup of the monster had the audience screaming bloody murder. It still works. Yes, it is dated and, while bloody for the times, it is pale compared to the blood and guts that have followed in its wake. But, it is fast and entertaining, played straight by a great cast, and, as has been noted, began it all for Hammer. It also began it all for me in creating a love for horror films and later all types of film. The 5 stars are “thanks for the memory”.