The Age of Commercialism

Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

I like "The Curse of Frankenstein" which is a 1957 British horror film by Hammer Film Productions, loosely based on the novel Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley. It was Hammer's first colour horror film, and the first of their Frankenstein series. Its worldwide success led to several sequels, and the studio's new versions of Dracula (1958) and The Mummy (1959) and established "Hammer Horror" as a distinctive brand of Gothic cinema. The film was directed by Terence Fisher and stars Peter Cushing as Victor Frankenstein, Hazel Court as Elizabeth, and Christopher Lee as the creature.Peter Cushing, who was then best known for his leading roles in British television, was sought out by Hammer for this film. Christopher Lee's casting, meanwhile, resulted largely from his height (6' 5"). Hammer had earlier considered the even taller (6 '7") Bernard Bresslaw for the role. Universal fought hard to prevent Hammer from duplicating aspects of their 1931 film, and so it was down to make-up artist Phil Leakey to design a new-look creature bearing no resemblance to the Boris Karloff original created by Jack Pierce. Production of The Curse of Frankenstein began, with an investment of £65,000, on 19 November 1956 at Bray Studios with a scene showing Baron Frankenstein cutting down a highwayman from a wayside gibbet. The film opened at the London Pavilion on 2 May 1957 with an X certificate from the censors.

In 1957, England's Hammer Studios started doing loose remakes on the old Universal Horror Classics. I think the ones that are best remembered were the ones either starring or pairing Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee--such as the first release by England's Hammer Films, "The Curse of Frankenstein." Of course, I believe at the time, there were some legal restrictions that prevented Hammer from totally copying the Universal films, so in "Curse," we get another loose adaption of Mary Shelley's novel.This time, Baron Frankenstein is assisted by his childhood tutor, who at first assists the doctor, then revolts against the "abomination" he has created. Christopher Lee makes for an interesting variation of the monster--or creature as he is billed in this movie. Cushing, of course, is great as the Baron & it's easy to see why this film helped launch so many sequels--great movie.It's also interesting to see the descent of the Baron over the course of the film--first seeking to push the boundaries of science, then becoming totally ruthless in his quest to create life. Even if it means destroying his fellow human beings--such is the case when he murders the old Professor to obtain his brain.And, there's the great scene when the Creature gets shot, and somehow the Baron restores him again. And the great closing reels when the Doctor clashes with his creation and has to destroy it.9 stars

Peter Cushing was good no matter what film he played in... he took his roles seriously and Dr. Frankenstein was no exception. This one of Peter's better horror films. He's brilliant... played this role with passion.Christopher Lee plays the Creature. It's not role with dialogue but it is a role which conveys feeling - much like a silent film star - and Christopher does well as usual.It's great late night horror film with two of the finest actors Hollywood has ever seen. This Hammer film is well worth the hour it takes to watch it.9.5/10

As far as the Frankenstein films go, 1931's Frankenstein and especially Bride of Frankenstein are at the top. But The Curse of Frankenstein is to me one of the better Frankenstein films, and Hammer's debut film is one of their better ones along with Dracula(1958) and The Mummy(1959). The Monster's make-up is too grotesque for my liking and one does wish that Christopher Lee had more screen time, other than that the film is wonderful.The Curse of Frankenstein does look great, the photography and costumes are handsome and the Gothic set design is outstanding and dripping with atmosphere. The music is chillingly effective and compliments the atmosphere beautifully, while the script is remarkably human, suspensefully and sympathetically written and gives a lot of depth to Frankenstein which I really appreciated actually. The story is always compelling with poignant emotion and Gothic chills once the Monster appears(like with the blind hermit, not as well as Bride of Frankenstein but beautifully done still), it does offer two ideas of focusing more on Frankenstein than on the Monster and not making the Monster misunderstood, both were very interesting takes and while they might not work for some they personally both came over very well.Terrence Fisher's direction is positively unflinching. The characters are well-written, Paul is a love-to-hate sort of character but The Curse of Frankenstein does have to have the most well-developed Frankenstein of any Frankenstein film. The acting is fine, Hazel Court and Robert Urquhart are more than solid support. Christopher Lee's screen time is not large but he is still memorable, even looking at him towering over everyone else Lee does come across as terrifying and his first appearance is chilling. Boris Karloff does bring more tragedy to the character but in all fairness in the 1930s Universal Frankenstein films the Monster was a misunderstood, the Monster here isn't(quite the opposite) and within that idea the film has Lee's more menacing approach worked. The best thing about The Curse of Frankenstein is the performance of Peter Cushing, which is truly remarkable and one of his best. Personally do prefer Cushing's interpretation also to the still excellent interpretation from Colin Clive and it could be to do with that Frankenstein has more development here.All in all, a wonderful film and a wonderful start for "Hammer House of Horror". 9/10 Bethany Cox