The Curse of Frankenstein is a British horror film released in 1957. It marked the beginning of the Hammer Horror series that reinvented classic horror monsters for a modern audience. The story is a reimagining of Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein, focusing on the character of Victor Frankenstein. Victor, played by Peter Cushing, becomes obsessed with creating life from dead body parts. He enlists the help of his mentor, Dr. Paul Krempe, played by Robert Urquhart, in his experiments.
1959
And to close, something that isn t film criticism, but arguably more important Peter Cushing is hot as fuck in this and I d probably let him get away with removing my brain if he wanted that sort of thing to happen. This is an excellent retelling of Shelley s exemplary irreproachable tale via Hammer and the wonderful Terry Fisher, dialing in on the gothic atmos that would eventually become the studios trademark and bringing this story to an entire new generation of genre fans and soon to be genre fans around the world.
Paul Krempe, played by Robert Urquhart, in his experiments. However, Victor's desire for ultimate power and a lack of ethics lead him down a dark path. He successfully creates a monstrous creature, played by Christopher Lee, but soon realizes he has made a grave mistake.
The cuese of frankenstein 1957
Courtesy of Hammer Film Productions ltd
Cast: Peter Cushing (Baron Victor Frankenstein); Christopher Lee (Creature); Marjorie Hume (mother); Hazel Court (Elizabeth)
On the eve of his execution for murder, Baron Victor Frankenstein explains how his dreams of creating the perfect human being have spawned a monster.
Released onto a market dominated by science fiction 'creature features', the success of Terence Fisher 's The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) revitalised and reinvented the ailing horror . Critics were horrified by the colourful blend of blood and sex, but the film was a huge commercial and artistic success.
Despite the success of Hammer 's The Quatermass Xperiment (d. Val Guest, 1955) and X - The Unknown (d. Leslie Norman, 1956), and other studios' efforts like Devil Girl From Mars (d. David MacDonald, 1954) and Fiend Without A Face (d. Arthur Crabtree, 1958), the science fiction genre belonged firmly to the Americans. Fisher 's retelling of Mary Shelley 's classic (which could itself be classed as science fiction) would prove to be Hammer 's first successful foray into the closely related but temporarily stalled horror film market.
Fearing litigation by Universal , owners of the 'classic' 1930s and '40s films, Fisher had to rethink certain elements of the Frankenstein story. Universal were particularly protective of the Monster's image - the flat topped head, the electrodes (or bolts, as many people mistakenly assume) on the sides of the neck - and refused to allow its likeness to appear in other films. Make-up artist Phil Leakey returned to Mary Shelley 's novel for inspiration, avoiding any resemblance to Jack Pierce 's design for the Universal films. The Monster's new appearance was suitably gruesome. Played by Christopher Lee , it now seemed recognisably stitched together from assorted body parts.
Shot in colour, The Curse of Frankenstein proved a visceral retelling of Mary Shelley 's story. Eyeballs, severed hands and surgical procedures are presented in a relatively unflinching style. At one point, the Monster is shot in the head and blood gushes from its wound. This approach distanced the film from Universal 's , more suggestive horrors. The film was met with great enthusiasm by paying audiences, but alienated and horrified critics.
Another important departure from the established pattern of Frankenstein films was the emphasis on the Baron, played with cool, calculating brilliance by Peter Cushing , rather than his creation. It was Cushing who would return in subsequent films, not his ill-fated first attempt at creating life.
The Curse of Frankenstein was also the first horror film to feature Cushing and Christopher Lee together. This successful partnership would be repeated in Fisher 's Dracula (1958), and soon became a regular feature of many British horror films.
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The international sleeper hit of 1957. Terence Fisher’s then-gorily shocking re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s novel jump-started Hammer Films into becoming the major supplier of genre fare for the next decade–and introduced Peter Cushing as the definitive Dr. Frankenstein as well as Christopher Lee in his first monster role. Followed by six sequels.
The film is known for its vivid Technicolor and groundbreaking special effects. It was directed by Terence Fisher and produced by the Hammer Film Productions. The Curse of Frankenstein was a critical and commercial success, and it paved the way for future Hammer Horror films. One of the key factors behind the success of The Curse of Frankenstein was the performance of Peter Cushing as Victor Frankenstein. Cushing brought a sense of intelligence, intensity, and sophistication to the character, making him a compelling and complex protagonist. His portrayal remains one of the most memorable interpretations of the character. Another contributing factor to the film's success was the innovative use of color and special effects. The use of Technicolor helped create a visually stunning and atmospheric film. The decaying body parts, gruesome makeup effects, and blood were all brought to life in vivid detail, shocking and captivating audiences. The Curse of Frankenstein also marked the beginning of the Hammer Horror series. Hammer Films took a new approach to classic horror monsters, focusing on gore, violence, and sensual elements. This departure from the more restrained and atmospheric horror films of the time was a major draw for audiences and set Hammer Films apart from its competitors. In conclusion, the success of The Curse of Frankenstein can be attributed to several key factors. The brilliant performance of Peter Cushing, the innovative use of color and special effects, and the fresh and daring approach to the Frankenstein story all contributed to the film's popularity. The Curse of Frankenstein remains a classic in the horror genre and a milestone in the history of Hammer Films..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Hidden Meanings in Frankenstein (1957)"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found 'The Curse of Frankenstein' to be a complete disappointment. The story lacked depth and failed to capture the essence of Mary Shelley's original novel. The acting was subpar, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The special effects were outdated and laughable, making it difficult to take the film seriously. Overall, I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a well-made and thought-provoking horror film."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "While I appreciate the attempt to adapt 'Frankenstein' into a film, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' fell short in many aspects. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the film seemed to drag on unnecessarily. The performances were mediocre at best, lacking the intensity and emotion needed to bring the characters to life. Additionally, the film relied heavily on clichéd horror tropes, which made it feel predictable and unoriginal. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this adaptation."
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "As a fan of classic horror films, I had high hopes for 'The Curse of Frankenstein.' Unfortunately, I was let down by this version. The film seemed more focused on shock value and gore rather than storytelling and character development. The dialogue was wooden and unconvincing, making it difficult to become invested in the plot. Additionally, the excessive violence and gore felt gratuitous and added little to the narrative. I would recommend seeking out other adaptations of 'Frankenstein' rather than wasting your time on this one."
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "I cannot understand the hype surrounding 'The Curse of Frankenstein.' The acting was atrocious, with performances that felt forced and unnatural. The plot was disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow along. The film relied too heavily on jump scares and cheap thrills, which only served to further detract from any potential suspense or horror. Overall, I found this film to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality horror experience."