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Frankenstein follows Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) as he embarks on the risky quest to create life. The above is his exuberant claim when he apparently succeeds at it. The result, however, seems to be far from a human and closer to a monster, which is how he is called. The Monster (Boris Karloff) is a towering and menacing figure, which goes against his seemingly innocent mind and behavior. Nonetheless, his existence is seen as a threat to the people around them.
I hadn't seen this in a while, so I was glad to finally revisit it. The film is iconic for a reason. There are a bunch of characters, images, and narrative beats from this film that have, rightfully, served as inspiration for other films. The film is exceptionally well shot with some really impressive wide shots as Frankenstein and his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye) dig up bodies or later when the Monster is created and first seen; and finally during the climatic confrontation at the windmill.
Karloff nicely fits the role of the Monster in terms of movement, posture, and overall stature, but Clive is also pretty good as Henry; especially during the first act when you see him truly unhinged and obsessed with this creation. Unfortunately, the rest of the supporting cast isn't as strong. Mae Clarke doesn't really shine as Elizabeth, Henry's fiancée, and the introduction of Victor (John Boles) as Henry's friend who also seems to be in love with Elizabeth, is clumsy at best.
Overall, the film shines during the scenes where Henry and the Monster are present, but kinda fall apart when it cuts to all the bits with Elizabeth and Frankenstein's family. This is not helped by an odd editing which seems to break the pace and momentum of the film at certain climatic moments. For example, cutting to Frankenstein's home right after it is revealed that he succeeded in his experiment.
Much like the Monster, Frankenstein, the film felt like an odd creation for me, with some parts working extremely well and others not so much; with a plot structure that I don't think was broken in the most effective way and some subplots that weren't that well executed. And yet it is still one of the most iconic horror films out there, full of chilling visuals, an eerie atmosphere, and some great characters which – even 90+ years later – have left their mark in cinema. It's alive, indeed.
Grade:
FRANKENSTEIN
(1931, Whale)
(1931, Whale)
"Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!"
Frankenstein follows Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) as he embarks on the risky quest to create life. The above is his exuberant claim when he apparently succeeds at it. The result, however, seems to be far from a human and closer to a monster, which is how he is called. The Monster (Boris Karloff) is a towering and menacing figure, which goes against his seemingly innocent mind and behavior. Nonetheless, his existence is seen as a threat to the people around them.
I hadn't seen this in a while, so I was glad to finally revisit it. The film is iconic for a reason. There are a bunch of characters, images, and narrative beats from this film that have, rightfully, served as inspiration for other films. The film is exceptionally well shot with some really impressive wide shots as Frankenstein and his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye) dig up bodies or later when the Monster is created and first seen; and finally during the climatic confrontation at the windmill.
Karloff nicely fits the role of the Monster in terms of movement, posture, and overall stature, but Clive is also pretty good as Henry; especially during the first act when you see him truly unhinged and obsessed with this creation. Unfortunately, the rest of the supporting cast isn't as strong. Mae Clarke doesn't really shine as Elizabeth, Henry's fiancée, and the introduction of Victor (John Boles) as Henry's friend who also seems to be in love with Elizabeth, is clumsy at best.
Overall, the film shines during the scenes where Henry and the Monster are present, but kinda fall apart when it cuts to all the bits with Elizabeth and Frankenstein's family. This is not helped by an odd editing which seems to break the pace and momentum of the film at certain climatic moments. For example, cutting to Frankenstein's home right after it is revealed that he succeeded in his experiment.
Much like the Monster, Frankenstein, the film felt like an odd creation for me, with some parts working extremely well and others not so much; with a plot structure that I don't think was broken in the most effective way and some subplots that weren't that well executed. And yet it is still one of the most iconic horror films out there, full of chilling visuals, an eerie atmosphere, and some great characters which – even 90+ years later – have left their mark in cinema. It's alive, indeed.
Grade: