Yug is considered as one of the most powerful curses in Hindu mythology. It is believed to be a result of a divine curse that affects individuals and generations. The curses of Yug have far-reaching consequences and impact various aspects of life. One of the curses of Yug is the deterioration of moral values. It is believed that during the cursed period, people tend to become more selfish, deceitful, and dishonest. The curse brings a decline in righteousness and promotes corruption and immorality.
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Orphaned as a child, Frankenstein worked closely with his tutor, Paul Krempe Robert Urquhart , experimenting on animals until they successfully revived a dead puppy. Much like the Universal Monsters films from the 1930s, the Hammer Films have the capacity to transport the viewer into a self-enclosed universe of ghouls and monsters.
The curse brings a decline in righteousness and promotes corruption and immorality. As a result, the society becomes fragmented and disorganized. Another curse of Yug is the dominance of evil forces.
Curse of Frankenstein 1957 film
THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Hammer Films, UK, 1957. Peter Cushing (Victor Frankenstein), Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart. Christopher Lee (The Creature), Melvyn Hayes, Valerie Gaunt. Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. Director: Terence Fisher.
The previous time I had seen Hammer’s Gothic classic, The Curse of Frankenstein, it was at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles. Screened in glorious 35mm as part of a Halloween lineup, the movie’s aesthetic definitely made an impression on me.
Much like the Universal Monsters films from the 1930s, the Hammer Films have the capacity to transport the viewer into a self-enclosed universe of ghouls and monsters. Everything from the costumes to the lighting works in tandem to create a celluloid dreamworld that is – in my humble opinion – simply unmatched in contemporary horror film-making.
So when I came across a VHS copy, I jumped at the chance. It wasn’t that expensive ($10), and the box is in relatively good condition. Plus, it’s got somewhat atypical cover art that admittedly captures Peter Cushing’s eyes quite well!
Now there’s nothing new under the sun here in terms of storytelling. If you know the Frankenstein story (legend?), then you’re not going to be surprised by all that much. Young Baron Frankenstein (Cushing) hires Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), a tutor to help him with his studies. As years go by, Frankenstein emerges as a scientific genius with a penchant for danger.
It doesn’t take long for the tutor to disavow his former student’s desire to create life from death. Complicating matters even further is the entrance of the beautiful Elizabeth (Hazel Court), Frankenstein’s cousin who threatens to pull the mad doctor not only away from his work, but also from the chambermaid he’s been having an affair with!
Christopher Lee doesn’t speak a word, but he’s quite convincing as the scarred, deformed, and ultimately tragic Frankenstein monster – or, as the film credits state, “The Creature.” There’s a great scene in which Baron Frankenstein lords over a chained and terrified Creature, reminding us just who the monster in this movie really is.
I appreciated watching this one on VHS as it allowed me to focus a bit more on the characters than I did when I saw it at the New Beverly. Altogether, well worth the ten bucks.
6 Responses to “A VHS Movie Review by Jonathan Lewis: THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957).”
- Steve Says:
May 3rd, 2023 at 10:27 pm I should have added make-up artist Phil Leakey to the list of credits! - Dan Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 8:08 am I enjoyed your take on this one, an important film in the Horror Genre and enjoyable by itself. - Tony Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 8:54 am It’s interesting that Jonathan points to the difference in experiencing the film on vhs versus at the theater and that different aspects are accentuated in different forums. I think that’s true. Just as there’s a difference in reading a book on kindle, listening to an audiobook, reading a vintage paperback or a heavy leatherbound hardcover. I’m not exactly sure if I can define what those differences are–but I feel like they’re there. Here’s an academic article on the subject: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/243769809_The_role_of_screen_size_in_viewer_experiences_of_media_content - Walker Martin Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 10:33 am I agree. After decades of reading I see a big difference between reading a kindle, listening to an audiobook and reading a real book. I know friends who like the kindle and audio books but I definitely prefer real books, paperbacks, or pulps. One difference I noticed while commenting on this subject. I tried to read the academic article online link and almost immediately lost interest. A book would have least kept me awake. - David Vineyard Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 6:58 pm My least favorite of the Hammer Horror series, though that’s the mildest of knocks because these are quite good, mostly for Cushing’s hyper active Dr. F, a monster for greater than anything that comes off of his table. Cushing’s energy in his Hammer films is one of the most notable aspects of them. Whether Frankenstein, Holmes, or Van Helsing he hardly seems able to stay still, the screen seems to struggle to contain him. Snappish, impatient, and often dismissive his persona provides much needed modern energy to the Gothic horrors around him. - Lazy Georgenby Says:
May 5th, 2023 at 12:02 am That’s sharp and perceptive ‘giving due’ to Peter Cushing, a British stalwart who too often went unsung in proportion to what he actually contributed to cinema. Bravo. He is just that sort of exemplary, self-disciplined, and diligent professional actor who –it might confidently be said –never gave a bad performance. I enjoy hearing him recalled to memory.
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During this cursed period, evil actions and thoughts prevail, leading to widespread violence and chaos. The curse empowers negative forces and weakens the influence of goodness and righteousness. This can be seen in the form of wars, conflicts, and social unrest that occur during Yugs. The curses of Yug also bring about a decline in intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. Knowledge and wisdom become scarce, and ignorance prevails. The society loses its grasp on spiritual values and becomes materialistic and hedonistic. This leads to a decline in spiritual growth and a lack of guidance and enlightenment. Furthermore, the curses of Yug also result in social inequality and injustice. During this period, the powerful and wealthy exploit the weak and poor, leading to a vast wealth gap and oppression of the marginalized. The curse perpetuates a system of inequality and hinders social progress and development. In conclusion, the curses of Yug have a profound impact on individuals and societies. They lead to a deterioration of moral values, the dominance of evil forces, a decline in intellectual and spiritual enlightenment, and social inequality and injustice. Overcoming these curses requires a collective effort to promote righteousness, justice, and spiritual growth..
Reviews for "The Curse's Resurgence: Recent Reports of Cursed Events in Yug"
1. John - 2 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'The Curses of Yug'. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, it was just not a satisfying read for me."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I tried really hard to get into 'The Curses of Yug', but I just couldn't. The writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged. The pacing was off, and the story dragged on unnecessarily. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping for something to grab my attention, but it never happened. Definitely not a book I would recommend."
3. Emily - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Curses of Yug', but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was weak and lacked depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. The plot twists felt forced and didn't make much sense within the context of the story. The ending was particularly unsatisfying, leaving loose ends that were never resolved. Overall, it was a frustrating and underwhelming reading experience."
4. Michael - 2.5 stars - "'The Curses of Yug' had an interesting concept, but the execution was lacking. The writing was average at best, with repetitive phrases and clichéd descriptions. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity. The author relied too heavily on clichés and tropes instead of delving deeper into the story. It had potential, but it fell short in delivering a captivating narrative."