Frankenstein
Director James Whale's definitive Frankenstein's monster movies from the 1930s.
FRANKENSTEIN: (1931)
This is James Whale's first stylish, expressionist film to grace the Universal horror cycle of the 1930s and 1940s (DRACULA, THE MUMMY). Scientist Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and his hunchbacked assistant, Fritz (Dwight Frye), embark on an unholy mission by stealing a body from a graveyard and a human brain from a medical college. Unbeknownst to Frankenstein, however, Fritz takes a violent and murderous abnormal brain. Henry's strange letters about his experiments worry his fiancee, Elizabeth (Mae Clark), and friends Victor (John Boles) and Dr. Waldman (Edward Van Sloan). They arrive at Frankenstein's laboratory to find the spectacular scene of creation under way--and Frankenstein intoxicated with his own godlike power. FRANKENSTEIN is in many ways the original horror classic, virtually creating the genre itself, leading to numerous sequels and myriad imitators. Whale's ability to give humanity to the Monster is one of the film's most stunning successes.
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN: (1935)
The sequel to FRANKENSTEIN is considered one of the best horror films of all time. After the Monster is trapped in a windmill fire, Dr. Henry Frankenstein assumes that the fiendish murderer has perished...but he's not dead yet. Rising from the rubble, the Monster is on the loose again--lonely and misunderstood, and killing those who cross him. Frankenstein wants to forget his creation, but the evil Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) has a diabolical plan to create a mate for the Monster, and Frankenstein must comply or else.
-
Critic's review of Frankenstein
View all critics' reviews (2)
-
-
Whole books have been written about this film and its sequels. Apart from being a fascinating if primitive cinematic work in its own right, it set its director and star on interesting paths and established a Hollywood attitude towards horror (mostly borro
-
32026
-
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
-
Most helpful member's review of Frankenstein
View all members' reviews (19)
-
-
James Whale's fantastic 1931 film remains the definitive screen adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel and still stands as one of the best horror films ever...
read more »
Report this review
-
15049
-
[Highly rated reviewer]
- Philip Concannon
- London
- 17 Aug 2004 at 17:57
-
Most recent members' reviews of Frankenstein
View all members' reviews (19)
-
-
Mad Doctor and assistant steal dead body parts, want to recreate human life, Doctors fiancée gets worried, gets another Doctor involved, its ...
read more »
Report this review
-
1074559
-
- Bassman71
- 422 reviews
- Didsbury, England
- 19 Dec 2011 at 09:12
-
-
the work of james whale has been credited with fathering the horror genre, and received much applause for its stylish expressionism. its delight in fear and ...
read more »
Report this review
-
1073995
-
- lukasz84
- 58 reviews
- 16 Dec 2011 at 22:47
-
-
James Whales original film version of Mary Shelleys Frankenstein story is an undisputed classic of the horror genre. While lacking in the scares and...
read more »
Report this review
-
1002474
-
- Turino
- 37 reviews
- Bracknell
- 09 Jun 2011 at 09:18
-
News and features
View all
Strong opening for Van Helsing
Monster flick Van Helsing took an estimated $54.2 million (£30.3 million) in its first weekend in North America. The $160 million movie, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, opened on Friday. The film is tipped to become one of the summer's biggest blockbusters, despite mixed reviews, but is likely to see profits dented by next week's epic release, Troy. A Universal spokesman also revealed that the movie earned a further $53 million (£29.7 million) from 41 international...
Read more
-
People who rented this also rented