Frankenstein DVD: Review By 313td

This is one of my most favorite classic horror movies.This is a ground breaking, masterpeace in horror movies.Why is it such a good film? Were do I begine?. The film's production history was quite chaotic Bela Lugosi was slated to play the monster, Robert Florey to direct. However, creative egoes intervened and personalities clashed. James Whale was assigned to direct and he subsequently hired an unknown extra, Boris Karloff, to play the nameless creature.I love black and white movies,especially ones of this era. Colour would have washed away the morbid gloom witch brought it too life. The sets, particularly Frankenstein's laboratory,will become the standard of horror laboratories in horror films for some time.The electrical wizardry, courtesy of gadget whiz, Kenneth Strickfadden. The graveyards and Bavarian villages are also splendid gothic creations. There is a lack of musical score in this film.I don’t know if this was standard, but it's effective here.

The script is adequate, for the time. The monster is brought to life, as Frankenstein hysterically rants, "In the name of God,now I know what it's like to be God!" It's a line that was originally cut, only to be restored recently by a more secular society.The support cast in this film give great,performances. Fritz, the hunchbacked assistant plays his role to perfection,Boris Karloff, wears amazing makeup,for the time.You all know the look,but it's his acting that lifts the film up to classic status. He can only snarl or grunt, but those snarls and grunts are done to make this monster not only feared,but amazingly loved. The power of speech eluded his character but he evoked more chills and sympathy at the same time. He should have won an Oscar for his peformance . This movie may perhaps be a bit dated in some ways, but still has a way of grabbing your attention.There is still a little of the terror in this movie, decades later.

If you are a fan of black and white classic horror movies,this one has got to be in your collection.