Frankenstein

Director James Whale's masterpiece is the definitive monster flick, one of the scariest films of all time. [04 Nov 1994, p.97]

Nothing can detract from the power of the most influential monster movie ever made.

One of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time.

Probably the most famous of all horror films, and one of the best.

As much as the later movies diluted the character of the Frankenstein creature, nothing could blunt the impact made by Karloff in the role of the most memorable movie monster of all time.

Universal entrusted the direction of Frankenstein to James Whale. He did it in the Grand Guignol manner, with as many queer sounds, dark corners, false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted.

It is naturally a morbid, gruesome affair, but it is something to keep the spectator awake, for during its most spine-chilling periods it exacts attention.

There have been complaints that Frankenstein is dated. Personally I don't find that, it isn't the most sumptuous of all films, but it is still a wonderful film, that is still shocking and enthralling to me. The Gothic set design is very imaginative, helped by the beautiful cinematography with suitably bizarre camera angles, and the music score is haunting, melancholy and atmospheric. James Whale's direction is also very impressive, it is very focused and innovative. The story is without a doubt a classic, tense, moody and melancholic, and the Monster itself is just a masterful creation. The cast are superb, Colin Clive is very good as the eccentric Henry Frankenstein, while Mae Clarke is an alluring and sympathetic Elizabeth. There is no doubt in my mind though that Boris Karloff gave the best performance, not only that but the definitive portrayal of the monster. He is almost unrecognisable and scary with his make up, and while he was scary with the towering presence and the frightening look in his eyes, his monster is also somewhat touching, particularly when he reaches up to grasp a ray of sunlight. Overall, shocking, enthralling and just wonderful. "It's Alive!" 10/10 Bethany Cox

Incredible production design and sets. Obviously a template and inspiration for a million things to come.

Es un buen clásico, de eso no hay duda, pero en mi opinión está lejos de ser tan espectacular como muchos la consideran.

I don't necessarily think it's a bad movie, I just had a hard time getting into it. I thought the pacing was slow. It felt like there were parts of the movie just skipped over due to the odd fade to black moments throughout. It doesn't age as well as you would hope it would, at least in comparison to other universal monster movies.

Фильм можно посмотреть, но чисто для ознакомления, с чего началась история монстра Франкенштейна. Слишком уж коряво и наивно всё смотрится на текущий день.