The Curse Of Frankenstein

THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN

  In 1957, a British film was released that would begin Hammer Films' long legacy in the re-imagining of Universal's Classic Monsters. For the first time, movie audiences were treated to the classic tales of Frankenstein, Dracula, and other horror icons of the past, only now dripping with Technicolor blood and gore. Fans tend to compare "The Curse Of Frankenstein" to James Whale's original masterpiece, but in the end there's really no point.  The two films are so different from each other that there's really no proper way to compare them. And Christopher Lee, in his own right, is chilling as the Creature.  Maybe not quite as effective as Boris Karloff, but Lee's interpretation has made an impact in its own way.  It would also be the beginning of horror history's most famous partnerships- Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.  The Hammer films are lushly photographed and ooze dreadful atmosphere, and "The Curse Of Frankenstein" firmly sets the tone of all Hammer productions to come.  Peter Cushing became a star with is portrayal of Baron Von Frankenstein- he was born to play this role and it made him a horror icon forever.  Gloomy castles, foggy grounds, and a colossal sense of dread and doom permeate this legendary take on Mary  Shelley's classic tale- and are a big part of what makes Hammer Films so special in the first place.  Campy?  To be sure.  But I love these films regardless. 

THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN

Narrowly escaping death by guillotine, Baron Von Frankenstein flees to another city to begin his mad experiments yet again...  "The Revenge Of Frankenstein", released in 1958, once again offers the campy and lush delights that the original Hammer film offered so generously.  Peter Cushing is brilliant again in his portrayal of the mad Baron, and Christopher Lee once again plays the Creature.  Like Universal's "The Bride Of Frankenstein", this is the rare film that surpasses the original.  And like "The Curse Of Frankenstein", its sequel was a huge hit, entertaining audiences with its over-the-top gore and shocks.  Flawless sets, gorgeous cinematography, creepy and atmospheric lighting, and a wickedly funny and macabre humor all make this Hammer feature one of the most memorable.  This was the Golden Age Of Hammer and this was a great, entertaining sequel.

THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN

1964's "The Evil Of Frankenstein" is a stand-alone Frankenstein picture.  It doesn't really follow the previous entry, "The Revenge Of Frankenstein", and there's no mention of it in the following production, "Frankenstein Created Woman".  This has caused controversy with some Hammer fans, as it's often cited as the weakest of the Frankenstein films.  But taken on its own, it's still a great production.  A Hammer film is still a Hammer film, after all.  Slightly different from the rest of the series, but I still enjoyed it for what it was.  Once again, suitably creepy Gothic atmosphere permeates this 1964 production, even though this might venture more into scientific territory than outright horror.  Still overall, give me a good old Hammer film anyday.

FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN

     Great acting, great plot, and a deliciously dark atmosphere help to make "Frankenstein Created Woman" from 1967, one of the most entertaining of all the Hammer films.  It doesn't really matter what the plot is at this point- we tune in simply to see Baron Von Frankenstein and his unholy experiments.  This entry seems to be Hammer's take on "The Bride Of Frankenstein"- although there is no direct connection to the Universal film or to Mary Shelley's classic tale.  This fourth film in the Hammer "Frankenstein" series seems to be a fan favorite, and certainly delivers what fans were expecting at this point- disfigurement, body snatching, resurrection, and tons of blood.  One of the more unique entries in the series, and even without the great Christopher Lee, it's still a notable entry.

FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED

     In the fifth "Frankenstein" installment, "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed", we now find the Baron nothing more than a cold, calculating villain, with no traces of humanity left.  Still up to his old tricks, this is another notable entry in the long-running series.  
This was to be the last Hammer film of the 1960's.  Many fans have stated that this fifth entry is one of the strongest- a huge step forward after "The Evil Of Frankenstein" and "Frankenstein Created Woman".  Dark, disturbing, and quite bloody for its time, it is truly a memorable Hammer film.  Yet another haunting and atmospheric soundtrack, and from a technical standpoint, this incorporates stunning use of colors and shadows with its cinematography.  Once again, fans tend to get a bit rabid about this entry- these are huge cult classics.  Fans take them very seriously, and I understand that.  I grew up watching these, and in their own way, were just as effective as the earlier Universal films.  If you loved the previous Hammer "Frankenstein" films, this one is must viewing!