The Horror of Frankenstein
by Jimmy Sangster
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DVD details
Actor: Dennis Price, Jon Finch, Kate O'Mara, Ralph Bates, Veronica CarlsonDirector: Jimmy Sangster
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-08-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of The Horror of Frankenstein
DVD Review: What is this work your doing up at the castle?
Summary: 5 Stars
A misunderstood classic from Hammer Films. I remember first seeing it inside a hotel room at the Sheraton at Clearwater Beach during the Summer holidays. It came on WTOG Channel 44's Creature Feature with local horror host Dr. Paul Bearer. I loved it when I first saw it. It takes an engaging movie to get your mind off staying at the beach and deciding to be inside for 2-hours during the afternoon.
Jimmy Sangster does a great job of putting in humor throughout the film.
One of my favorites scenes, a hand attached to a severed arm, gives the audience the British V sign (the middle finger in the US.) Yes, its junior high humor but it helps to create a nice transition from scenes of murder and mayhem.
Ralph Bates is a great Victor Frankenstein. He plays the young Victor as a smartass in school to getting into trouble in college and finally the egomatic prideful character he is at the film's end when the ending credits appear.
As I was re-watching this, considering the economic problems today in 2009, I was thinking how great it would be to be Victor Frankenstein. He had a castle, vasts amounts of wealth, and plenty of free time to conduct weirdo experiments in the lab. Who wouldn't want all that?
It becomes all the more tragic as the film progresses to the end result. I would have made better use of time and money, then again, I'm not driven to create life from dead body parts.
Of all the Hammer Frankenstein films, this one is the most fun to watch. The little jokes keeping coming, sometimes where you don't expect them to be.
Also, David Prowse, makes a great Hulk-like monster. As all the fanboys know, Prowse played Darth Vader in Star Wars. Instead of Boris Karloff cautiously leaving the lab by stumbling through the doorway, Prowse, punches out the wooden door with power and confidence. In makes an interesting contrast to the Karloff monster.
What I love about Hammer is the interesting subplots between the house keeper and the beautiful Veronica Carlson as the house keeper tries to blackmail Victor or talk him out of letting Carlson to stay at the castle. Jealousy is what gives a lot of these Frankenstein movies the human side and makes it more fun to see how Victor will react and deal with domestic problems. Every mad scientist needs a good vat for acid to be poured into to get rid of such problems.
As for the extras, Hammer finally throws the fans a bone.
You get
Audio Commentary from Jimmy Sangster and Marcus Hearn (Hammer Historian)
Veronica Carlson interview
Carlson Photo Album
Gallery of Carlson's fine art
and the usual posters, stills, trailers, and talent bios.
There is something to be said of a film that captures my imagination at age 12 and years later at 36.
A definite must have for fans of Hammer Horror.
DVD Review: 'Amateur Anatomy!? - It's Smut!!'
Summary: 4 Stars
Harshly disregarded by critic's and fans alike, time has been kind to Jimmy Sangster's tar-black comedy re-jig of the original breakthrough Hammer Frankenstein film.
'Horror of Frankenstein' is as tasteless as its abrupt, belligerent title growls - Sangster shamelessly ripping into his own original 50's script for inspiration, thinking nothing of twisting his own plot-lines to force out some grisly jollity.
Ralph Bates is excellent as the Baron, seemingly more interested in bedding his kitchen staff than creating life. There's a host of Hammer regulars; Jon Finch, Kate O'Mara, Veronica Carlson, Dennis Price and our old friend Vader himself - Dave Prowse as the creature - all visibly playing up as much as vigorous master Bates.
Sangster's writing is snappy, vulgar and fun. Bates' Frankenstein is an absolute stinker and the monster is a hulking great hooligan, much given to stupidity and cannibalism.
I think most of the resistance to this film was fuelled by the fact it was Cushing-less, but this kind of irreverent parody wouldn't have worked with dear old Props Peter. The (numerous) bed-room sequences would've been an obvious initial problem, as would the idea of him putting the college Dean's daughter in the club. (Although that said, he did a fine job of wrestling with a naked prostitute, cutting off her head and packing it in a fridge in 'Corruption', so who knows!) Versatile as Cushing was, I don't think this one was for him - playing a younger version of a character he'd played 14 years before, even in a comic context, would've stretched credulity to breaking. (!)
'HoF' is murkily entertaining, and, if you possess a tangled mind like mine, bitingly funny. Although the final joke hints at something we shouldn't be chortling at under any circumstances - the rest is pretty good.
Far, far removed from classic Hammer, but worth a glimpse.
DVD Review: The Youngest, Most Insane Frankenstein Of Them All!
Summary: 4 Stars
The character of Victor Frankenstein in "Horror of Frankenstein" is the youngest, handsomest and evilest one I've seen. Victor will do anything to get what he wants, even kill his own father and best friend. This one has a reprobate mind; he is very dispassionate about the plights of others. He displays a flippant, contrite attitude whenever a "friend" is harmed. When questioned by authority, his sarcastic remarks are often humorous. Victor kills anyone who might reveal his secret hobby of bringing the dead back to life.
The acting in this gothic horror film from Hammer Production is quite good. The stellar cast consists of Hammer regulars including Ralph Bates ("Lust for a Vampire"), Kate O'Mara ("The Vampire Lovers"), Veronica Carlson ("Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed"), Dennis Price ("Twins of Evil"), and David Prowse ("Vampire Circus"). There is plenty of suspense, dark humor, and gruesome deaths to keep your attention.
My major complaint is with the ending. It was gruesome but abrupt. I felt that there was much more of the story that needed to be told. The ending was also left open for a sequel. Unfortunately, one was never made.
At one point in the movie, Victor claims that he doesn't know who he really is. His friend points out that he is kind one moment and cold another. However, I know that any kindness he exhibits is an act. He is pure evil, incapable of loving anyone but himself and his work. He labors to create life but all he can manage to do is destroy it. Victor is unimpressed when he learns that one of his schoolmates has waited her entire life to marry him; he is only interested in how he can use her love to his advantage.
Directed by Jimmy Sangster, "Horror of Frankenstein" is very enjoyable; it must be purchased by everyone who collects gothic horror from Hammer Production. It is far different from the other Frankenstein movies which were directed by Terrence Fisher and starred Peter Cushing in the role of Victor Frankenstein. It has its own unique qualities that must be seen to be believed.
DVD Review: He was quite a nice monster, really.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is late Hammer, so the baron does a lot of his anatomical study in the bedroom. Still, it looks and feels a lot like classic early Hammer even if it's a spoof. Very familiar Hammer sets. Very knowing and witty script and direction. Great colors. Gorgeous but clueless Veronica Carlson is the only female in the movie whose anatomical parts seem not to interest the baron in the least. The ending is a hoot. This one is so different from other Hammer Frankensteins that it may take a few viewings for some fans to appreciate. But taken on its own, it's enjoyable and better than some of the Cushing Frankensteins. DVD Review: A WORTHY AND DIFFERENT HAMMER FRANKENSTEIN FILM! 3 1/2 STARS!
Summary: 4 Stars
Not nearly as bad as it is said to be, this Hammer Frankenstein film has plenty to enjoy! There is cleavage, Kate O'Mara, Veronica Carlson,(did I say Cleavage?)blood, good FX, atmosphere and it's all done with a tongue and cheek approach that I found refreshing. It works as a straight horror film, but there are some funny little "digs" at the series here and there.
Hammer made quite a few Frankenstein films and even though Cushing and Lee are missing, this is far from the worst. The DVD has a very good print and this disc has some decent extras. Commentary, stills gallery, trailers, interview with Veronica Carlson, Art gallery of Veronica Carlson and more!
Description of The Horror of Frankenstein
Young victor frankenstein returns from medical school with a depraved taste for beautiful women and fiendish experiments. But when the doctor runs out of fresh body parts for his research he turns to murder to complete his gruesome new creation. His monster unleashed its own ghastly killing spree. Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 08/07/2001 Starring: Ralph Bates Veronica Carlson Run time: 95 minutes Rating: R Director: Jimmy SangsterComedy DVDs
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