Anything to say about one of the most important films of all time (genre or otherwise) has likely already been said, and said better than this review ... but here's trying. "With how many things are we on the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries." (Wollstonecraft Shelley).
It might be cliché to advise a horror fan to start at the beginning with the classics but viewing Frankenstein proves the platitude. Wales' story captures the emotional conflict of the Monster and Frankenstein's arrogance I remember from reading the novel in high school. It's remarkable that roughly 70 minutes can contain so much depth - it is a testament to everyone who worked on the film, and is perhaps aided (for me) by the nostalgia and sense of sophistication imparted by black and white film.
For the modern viewer there are still some shocking scenes - Fritz "tormenting" the Monster with fire, the black parade of Maria's limp body juxtaposing and then extinguishing the German folk revelry, and Frankenstein's body being thrown from the top of the windmill and crunch on one of the arms on the way down. After contemplation the fall reminds me of *that cliff* scene from Midsommar, a contemporary shocking dive.
The artist synergy between Jack Pierce's makeup and styling - a personal sort of mad ambition to create (a monster) - and Boris Karloff's moving animating performance cement Frankenstein as one of the best of all time.
Essential viewing for even the least horrifically inclined. The cacophony and discord of the mob felt particularly resonant and left me feeling somehow like the town folk (protecting Baron Frankenstein and his male progeny) were the real monsters.
It might be cliché to advise a horror fan to start at the beginning with the classics but viewing Frankenstein proves the platitude. Wales' story captures the emotional conflict of the Monster and Frankenstein's arrogance I remember from reading the novel in high school. It's remarkable that roughly 70 minutes can contain so much depth - it is a testament to everyone who worked on the film, and is perhaps aided (for me) by the nostalgia and sense of sophistication imparted by black and white film.
For the modern viewer there are still some shocking scenes - Fritz "tormenting" the Monster with fire, the black parade of Maria's limp body juxtaposing and then extinguishing the German folk revelry, and Frankenstein's body being thrown from the top of the windmill and crunch on one of the arms on the way down. After contemplation the fall reminds me of *that cliff* scene from Midsommar, a contemporary shocking dive.
The artist synergy between Jack Pierce's makeup and styling - a personal sort of mad ambition to create (a monster) - and Boris Karloff's moving animating performance cement Frankenstein as one of the best of all time.
Essential viewing for even the least horrifically inclined. The cacophony and discord of the mob felt particularly resonant and left me feeling somehow like the town folk (protecting Baron Frankenstein and his male progeny) were the real monsters.
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