The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Directed by Terence Fisher

Sci-Fi / Horror / Drama

Film Review

Abstract picture representing The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
A decade after Universal Pictures ended its run of Gothic horror films, which stretched back to the mid 1920s, a relatively unknown British company named Hammer decided to embark on its own adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein novel.  The film's success not only transformed the fortunes of Hammer overnight, earning it an international reputation, but also revived the Gothic horror genre on both sides of the Atlantic.  The Curse of Frankenstein marked the beginning of Hammer's long and highly profitable association with the genre with which it will forever be associated.

The film is also significant in that it sees two stalwarts of British horror pitted against one another for the first time - Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.  Both actors were catapulted to stardom by this film, although this would be the only time Lee played the Frankenstein monster.  Whilst Cushing would become closely identified with the role of Dr Frankenstein, Lee would be better known for his portrayal of Dracula, beginning with Hammer's adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, released the following year (with Cushing playing Van Helsing).  This was not the first time the actors had worked together - they had shared the credits on two previous films: Laurence Olivier's Hamlet (1948) and John Huston's Moulin Rouge (1952).

The executives at Hammer were wary of infringing Universal's copyright and went to great lengths not to emulate that company's 1931 production of Frankenstein, which director Terence Fisher claimed never to have seen before making this film.  One area of particular concern was the design of the monster's face, which Universal had patented.  The monster in Hammer's The Curse of Frankenstein is more recognisably human than the cadaverous creation made famous by Boris Karloff in the Universal films, although as the series progressed, Hammer's Frankenstein monster would gradually begin to look more like Universal's.

It is interesting to compare Universal's and Hammer's Frankenstein films.  The most striking difference is their design.  Hammer's films were more realistically portrayed than Universal's, lacking the heavy stylisation that was directly inspired by German expressionism, although they were just as atmospheric and frightening.  Whereas Universal's films revolved around the monster, Hammer's films focused on the scientist who created him, and it can be argued that it was Peter Cushing's portrayal of Baron Frankenstein that made the series so popular.  In the six sequels to The Curse of Frankenstein, Cushing played the sinister scientist in all but one,  The Horror of Frankenstein (1970), an unsuccessful black comic remake of this film.
© James Travers 2009
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Terence Fisher film:
Dracula (1958)

Film Synopsis

Whilst in prison, awaiting his execution for murder, Baron Victor Frankenstein relates his tragic life story to a priest.  Inheriting his father's estate, the young Victor began a series of experiments with his friend and mentor Paul Krempe, the aim being to artificially create life.   Having successfully revived a dead dog, Frankenstein begins to assemble human body parts to construct a human being which he hopes to bring to life in his laboratory.   The one missing ingredient is a brain of great intellect, so Frankenstein invites an eminent professor to his house so that he can steal his brain.  Unfortunately, the brain is damaged during the operation and instead of creating a rational human being Frankenstein gives life to a psychotic, homicidal monster...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Terence Fisher
  • Script: Jimmy Sangster, Mary Shelley (novel)
  • Cinematographer: Jack Asher
  • Music: James Bernard
  • Cast: Peter Cushing (Victor Frankenstein), Hazel Court (Elizabeth), Robert Urquhart (Paul Krempe), Christopher Lee (Creature), Melvyn Hayes (Young Victor), Valerie Gaunt (Justine), Paul Hardtmuth (Professor Bernstein), Noel Hood (Aunt), Fred Johnson (Grandpa), Claude Kingston (Little Boy), Alex Gallier (Priest), Michael Mulcaster (Warder), Andrew Leigh (Burgomaster), Ann Blake (Wife), Sally Walsh (Young Elizabeth), Middleton Woods (Lecturer), Raymond Ray (Uncle), Josef Behrmann (Fritz), Henry Caine (Schoolmaster), Trevor Davis (Uncle)
  • Country: UK
  • Language: English
  • Support: Color
  • Runtime: 82 min

The best French war films ever made
sb-img-6
For a nation that was badly scarred by both World Wars, is it so surprising that some of the most profound and poignant war films were made in France?
The very best French thrillers
sb-img-12
It was American film noir and pulp fiction that kick-started the craze for thrillers in 1950s France and made it one of the most popular and enduring genres.
The very best fantasy films in French cinema
sb-img-30
Whilst the horror genre is under-represented in French cinema, there are still a fair number of weird and wonderful forays into the realms of fantasy.
The Carry On films, from the heyday of British film comedy
sb-img-17
Looking for a deeper insight into the most popular series of British film comedies? Visit our page and we'll give you one.
The best films of Ingmar Bergman
sb-img-16
The meaning of life, the trauma of existence and the nature of faith - welcome to the stark and enlightening world of the world's greatest filmmaker.
 

Other things to look at


Copyright © filmsdefrance.com 1998-2024
All rights reserved



All content on this page is protected by copyright