The Curse of Frankenstein Reviews

What can I say about this film? When I saw the trailer, I had gone and picked the most "tame" trailer which showed almost next to nothing. Not only was I disappointed but it killed off my mood, which was very high. Then, just yesterday I was reading a magazine and The Curse of Frankenstein was featured, alongside a few other Hammer masterpieces. Going against my better judgment, I decided to download it and watch it once and for all. It took all of 12 hours and it got me thinking, "Is it a sign? That I shouldn't watch it? Or is it to test my patience? Will the end result be good?" The answer is, of course, the latter. The opening score fired up my interest and by the time we meet a disheveled Peter Cushing, I was all-ears and all-eyes. Nothing, absolutely nothing distracted me for the next 83 minutes, a curiously short running time, don't you think?

I'm a relatively new-comer to the mind of Hammer. In fact, this is my first film, and I'm sure more will follow. I guess I've gotten into the pattern and style of Hammer; Rich colours, amazing music, a great cast, and beautiful (OK, busty) ladies. If you compare it to Universal's Frankenstein, - 1931 - then this film is Twilight to Lord of the Rings. It may sound harsh but that's how I saw it. I don't think a comparing is necessary as seeing how different approaches and styles were adopted by the two. The 1931 was sombre, dark, moody, while the 1957 was energetic, violent, stylish. The 1931 was built to shock - and possibly revolt - while the 1957 was done to amaze; or at least that's my deduction. Even though it doesn't stand up to the 1931, the key moments in this film, I believe, are the laboratory scenes. It looks nothing like a proper lab but since it has interesting sounds and colourful chemicals and a crazed character running back and forth, it immediately becomes more interesting than it should. For today's standards it may seem very tame, very outdated, but try to see it from the 1957 POV and it becomes probably the best thing you've seen on TV so far. The violence is also very outdated compared to today's standards where everyone is obsessed with showing eyes being ripped out. Speaking of which, the scene where Paul shoots Frankenstein - known only as the Creature - squarely in the eye is bound to send shivers down your spine and raise all of your hairs. It is gory and, of course, very artistic and immediately becomes the rewind that scene moment of the film. The other moment that challenges this one face to face has to be the part where Victor wipes the blood on his coat in an absent-minded manner, something I really wasn't expecting. It's funny how these little things, which amount to absolutely nothing in modern movies and other movies in general, suddenly become among the most goriest and violent things you've ever seen on-screen. How did they manage to achieve that effect I'll never know!

Anyway, from the performances, Peter Cushing, who plays Victor, is the true embodiment of the classic quote, "I'm NOT gonna be ignored." That's true, whenever he came onscreen, the others became almost obsolete and/or extras you normally wouldn't care about. He was so into his character that whatever he said, whatever he picked and whatever he threw, it was crystal-clear that it was not Peter Cushing who was doing it; It was Victor Frankenstein. An energetic performance that deserves to be included in (if there is such a thing) the great performances hall of fame. Robert Urguhart, who plays Paul Kremppe, was equally perfect. Although not as energetic, he marched to his own pace and performed brilliantly in that. Christopher Lee was by no means a scary presence than Boris Karloff in the 1931 film, it was almost as haunting and powerful as the 70's/80's horror icons. Since everything in this film was fast, Lee's portrayal of a stumbling, shuffling, and quite edgy, Frankenstein was superb in its own right. It was much more scarier, much more repellent. The ladies, however, were just OK, an eye candy, something the film could've survived without, like any Scarlett Johansson role; Doesn't amount to much but provides a-lot of eye candy.

In conclusion, this is one of the more better finds I've seen this week and is a classic in my book. Apart from the 1931 cast, no other cast can best the above mentioned three in their respective roles. A film that will clearly surpass your expectations!

9.0/10

More Hammer time can't touch it anyway beside their Dracula films Hammer had their own series of Frankenstein there was also Revenge of Frankenstein, Curse of Frankenstein, Evil of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Created Woman, Frankenstein must Destroyed, Horror of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell he creates a monster each movie this one was played by Christopher Lee I just love the look of his laboratory and the crude stuff going on in there Peter Cushing played Frankenstein throughout the series what's usually Frankenstein is guilty for his work Peter is just one malicious bastard he doesn't give two $#*! who he has to kill not only he's murderer but a rapist two although they work together in Horrors of Dracula and in many others Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were the new Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.