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FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN
DIRECTOR: PAUL MORRISSEY
STARRING: JOE DALLESSANDRO, UDO KIER AND MONIQUE VAN VOOREN
DIRECTOR: PAUL MORRISSEY
STARRING: JOE DALLESSANDRO, UDO KIER AND MONIQUE VAN VOOREN
Upon watching this film I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of care and effort put into this adaptation of Mary Shelley's seminal novel, as well as the aesthetic quality of the film. The previous collaborations between Paul Morrissey and Andy Warhol (most notably the 'Trash Trilogy') have been on the other end of the spectrum, rather being anti-aesthetic, and although these films worked well, the unexpected deviation from this method in 'Flesh for Frankenstein' is a welcome one. What makes the visuals in this film unprecedented was not only the short time it was shot in and the low budget it was shot on ($450,000).
The film itself opens with a continuous shot of the 'Frankenstein children' playing out an operation on a doll, in much the same way that their father, Baron Frankenstein (Udo Kier) does later in the film. This morbid, yet somehow light-hearted, opening shot sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The cinematography that follows is excellently done, and shot in such a way that it allows the mood of the film to be built upon, just as any good shot in any film should do. With aspects of both horror and comedy, this film is not to be confused with today's breed of the horror/comedy, the jokes in this film are done in such a way that they do not detract from the film itself, or slow down the pacing of the film.
The plot of the film of itself is not an original concept it is the traditional 'Frankenstein' story but with a slight flair rather than trying to build a 'perfect man' Baron Frankenstein is building an 'Adam and Eve', in order to breed them to create a race of super-humans.
All in all the film is well acted, well directed and well written, the costumes and sets are certainly pleasing to the eye, the only thing that is distracting and causes any breaks to the films mood is the special effects. However, this is not an over all problem, it is only in particular parts of the makeup (where the stitching on the 'zombies' comes away from the skin) and is nothing to worry about, it is just noticeable in places. Even though some of the effects are questionable the films soundtrack makes up for it tenfold, one of the most impressive scores I have heard in years and worth seeing for this alone.
Overall 'Flesh for Frankenstein' is a great way to revisit the golden age of '70's exploitation and not take a risk on a movie that may be awful. I personally loved the film, to the extent that it may just be my new favorite adaptation of 'Frankenstein' and if you ever get the chance it is definitely one to check out.
The film itself opens with a continuous shot of the 'Frankenstein children' playing out an operation on a doll, in much the same way that their father, Baron Frankenstein (Udo Kier) does later in the film. This morbid, yet somehow light-hearted, opening shot sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The cinematography that follows is excellently done, and shot in such a way that it allows the mood of the film to be built upon, just as any good shot in any film should do. With aspects of both horror and comedy, this film is not to be confused with today's breed of the horror/comedy, the jokes in this film are done in such a way that they do not detract from the film itself, or slow down the pacing of the film.
The plot of the film of itself is not an original concept it is the traditional 'Frankenstein' story but with a slight flair rather than trying to build a 'perfect man' Baron Frankenstein is building an 'Adam and Eve', in order to breed them to create a race of super-humans.
All in all the film is well acted, well directed and well written, the costumes and sets are certainly pleasing to the eye, the only thing that is distracting and causes any breaks to the films mood is the special effects. However, this is not an over all problem, it is only in particular parts of the makeup (where the stitching on the 'zombies' comes away from the skin) and is nothing to worry about, it is just noticeable in places. Even though some of the effects are questionable the films soundtrack makes up for it tenfold, one of the most impressive scores I have heard in years and worth seeing for this alone.
Overall 'Flesh for Frankenstein' is a great way to revisit the golden age of '70's exploitation and not take a risk on a movie that may be awful. I personally loved the film, to the extent that it may just be my new favorite adaptation of 'Frankenstein' and if you ever get the chance it is definitely one to check out.
**** (4 stars)
Nathaniel M.