Peter Cushing makes all the difference in this final entry in Hammer Studios' cycle of Frankenstein films. Overall, the film isn't overly atmospheric, and is talky, albeit with some effective moments of horror. It also looks like budgetary restrictions may have hampered it a bit, as most of the action is confined to one basic location, an insane asylum. Still, the monster this time is of a different variety - it looks like the missing link - and the acting is as sincere as it's ever been for a Hammer film. It also *looks* pretty good, and there is the kind of gore that horror lovers began to see in this sort of thing. A little sex appeal is provided by the extremely comely co-star Madeline Smith, as the mute Sarah. The inmates are also a fairly colourful bunch.
Shane Briant stars as Simon Helder, a surgeon up to the same kind of thing as Baron Frankenstein was, once upon a time. He's arrested, charged with sorcery, and sent to the aforementioned asylum to serve a five year sentence. Guess who runs the place? Simon finds out that the Baron is once again doing resurrection experiments, and helping himself to the inmates when he needs body parts - like brains and hands. Simon is eager to help out, although he doesn't possess the ruthlessness of the Baron and does have *some* scruples, leading to some friction. Naturally, the experiment is fraught with problems.
Marking the swan song for prolific Hammer director Terence Fisher, "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell" is good, not great, Hammer horror, that does remain watchable with its new twists on the familiar formula. The cast is excellent: Cushing is solid as a rock, and works well with the young Briant. The Baron actually gets to have a good laugh for once here, which is refreshing to see. The film is also noteworthy for co-starring Cushing and David Prowse, who would of course team up as villains in "Star Wars". Prowse plays the Monster as he did in the previous entry, "The Horror of Frankenstein". John Stratton is deliciously sleazy as the asylum director. There are small roles and cameos for the likes of Clifford Mollison, Patrick Troughton, Charles Lloyd Pack, Bernard Lee, Philip Voss, Christopher Cunningham, and Sydney Bromley. One good thing is that the Monster is as pitiable as he should be, while being intimidating at the same time.
This is reasonably engaging entertainment that ends in a very fitting way. If you're a Hammer fan, it does come recommended.
Seven out of 10.
Shane Briant stars as Simon Helder, a surgeon up to the same kind of thing as Baron Frankenstein was, once upon a time. He's arrested, charged with sorcery, and sent to the aforementioned asylum to serve a five year sentence. Guess who runs the place? Simon finds out that the Baron is once again doing resurrection experiments, and helping himself to the inmates when he needs body parts - like brains and hands. Simon is eager to help out, although he doesn't possess the ruthlessness of the Baron and does have *some* scruples, leading to some friction. Naturally, the experiment is fraught with problems.
Marking the swan song for prolific Hammer director Terence Fisher, "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell" is good, not great, Hammer horror, that does remain watchable with its new twists on the familiar formula. The cast is excellent: Cushing is solid as a rock, and works well with the young Briant. The Baron actually gets to have a good laugh for once here, which is refreshing to see. The film is also noteworthy for co-starring Cushing and David Prowse, who would of course team up as villains in "Star Wars". Prowse plays the Monster as he did in the previous entry, "The Horror of Frankenstein". John Stratton is deliciously sleazy as the asylum director. There are small roles and cameos for the likes of Clifford Mollison, Patrick Troughton, Charles Lloyd Pack, Bernard Lee, Philip Voss, Christopher Cunningham, and Sydney Bromley. One good thing is that the Monster is as pitiable as he should be, while being intimidating at the same time.
This is reasonably engaging entertainment that ends in a very fitting way. If you're a Hammer fan, it does come recommended.
Seven out of 10.