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Best movie ever!
Borgarkeri
A bit overrated, but still an amazing film
SpunkySelfTwitter
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
Cassandra
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
George Taylor
While most of the novel is tossed aside, this, the first of the Hammers is the best. The Baron is clearly the true monster here, doing anything to see to the creation of his being. Murder, grave robbing. Offending his friends, anything. Peter Cushing is brilliant as the cold hearted man of science. The first teaming of he and Christopher Lee, who is mute is the best one.
BA_Harrison
Locked in a cell, an hour away from the guillotine, Baron Frankenstein recounts to a priest how he built a creature from human body parts and successfully brought it to life.The Curse of Frankenstein might not be one of my favourite of Hammer's Frankenstein films—I prefer the studio's later entries in the series with their lurid gore and overt sexuality—but I still hold it in extremely high regard for helping to revive the flagging horror genre (sci-fi having dominated much of the fifties) and for being the first film to team British horror icons Peter Cushing (as Baron Victor Frankenstein) and Christopher Lee (who plays his creation).Working with a limited budget, director Terence Fisher stages much the action within Victor's home and laboratory, his film very much a character driven piece, with Cushing's obsessed scientist to the fore and Lee's monster taking a back seat. Thankfully, Cushing is such an accomplished performer that he is able to carry the film virtually by himself, delivering a truly chilling turn as a genius driven to unspeakable acts by his obsession. Lee, on the other hand, simply gets to stumble around a bit (he would get his chance to really shine the following year in Hammer's Dracula).6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for Hazel Court as the Baron's cousin Elizabeth, who adds some welcome glamour to proceedings.
Leofwine_draca
The original Hammer Horror film, that is if you count the earlier QUATERMASS films as science fiction. And as you would expect, it's brilliant. This film contains Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee's first appearances in a horror film, they were to pair up again many times in the next two decades to star in lots of similar roles, usually as antagonists but occasionally allies. This is the first of the '50s Hammer Horror trilogy (remakes of the Universal classics from the '30s), Dracula came next and then THE MUMMY. Although Lee doesn't have much to do in this film, let's face it, it was the kickstarter for his career. Cushing never got away from his Frankenstein character either, he came back another five times playing the increasingly ruthless Baron, the first time a year later in THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Although slow and talky by today's standards, THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN succeeds due to having excellent actors, and being filmed in vivid colour, which helps add to the then-gory experiments and makes the costumes and sets scrumptious.Peter Cushing portrays the Baron as cold, ruthless and heartless in his pursuit of science. His role is quite definitive and not many actors have achieved his standard. Instead of Colin Clive's nervous role in 1931's FRANKENSTEIN, his character is utterly dedicated to his work and will use any means to achieve his role. Robert Urquhart is annoyingly stubborn as the tutor who turns against him but the pair work up an interesting and hostile chemistry as the film progresses. Hazel Court (THE RAVEN) is suitably beautiful in her role and is more than just the love interest, she does indeed bring both depth and warmth to her role. Christopher Lee also acts well although he has no lines, he makes us feel for the Creature and pity him as well as fear him.Terence Fisher directs with typical Gothic flair while James Bernard's music is up to the usual dramatic standard. Hammer certainly weren't expecting the success this film gave them, instead they were more worried about distancing it as much as possible from Universal's feature, in fear of a lawsuit. Seen today, the film may have dated a little in the naïve values depicted by the characters, and sometimes the low budget and lack of sets is all too apparent. But THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN really redefined the genre, breathing life into a stale decade where the only monsters had been ones created by atomic explosions. The gore, while scarce, is still effective, especially the eyeballs, severed hands and wax head. It's a great film with a great atmosphere and featuring great actors. A winner on every level.
grantss
The essential Frankenstein movie.Based on Mary Shelley's famous novel. A scientist, Dr Victor Frankenstein (played by Peter Cushing) is researching how life can be given / regiven to dead animals. He hits upon the idea of creating a human life by combining body parts from dead people. His research is ultimately successful, but at what cost...?Surely one of the most well known horror-stories of all time. Modern versions are more about the aftermath of Frankenstein's creation, and turn into empty action movies. This version is probably the purest version in terms of telling the original story.Solid plot, good direction. Peter Cushing is great as Dr Frankenstein. Good support from Robert Urquhart, Hazel Court and Valerie Gaunt. Christopher Lee gives his career-defining and - shaping performance as the creature.