The Horror of Frankenstein - 1970
Director
Jimmy Sangster
Writer(s)
Jeremy Burnham
Jimmy Sangster
Mary Shelley characters
Producer(s)
Jimmy Sangster producer
Cast
Ralph Bates - Victor Frankenstein
Kate O'Mara - Alys
Veronica Carlson - Elizabeth Heiss
Dennis Price - The Graverobber
Jon Finch - Lt. Henry Becker
Bernard Archard - Prof. Heiss
Graham James - Wilhelm Kassner
James Hayter - Bailiff
Joan Rice - Graverobber's wife
Stephen Turner - Stephan
Neil Wilson - Schoolmaster
James Cossins - Dean
Glenys O'Brien - Maggie
Geoffrey Lumsden - Instructor
Chris Lethbridge-Baker - Priest (as C. Lethbridge Baker)
Terry Duggan - First Bandit
George Belbin - Baron Frankenstein
Hal Jeayes - Woodsman
Carol Jeayes - Woodsman's Daughter
Michael Goldie - Workman
David Prowse - The Monster (as Dave Prowse)
Sue Hammer - Maid (uncredited)
Review by Sven Soetemans
I never thought a Hammer Frankenstein would let me down
This movie turned out to be a milestone for me as well, but not a very positive one. I've seen 5 Hammer productions so far concerning the topic of baron Frankenstein ( this one not included )and they were all much better. In fact, some of them belong to my ALLTIME favorite horror movies. This version, directed by Jimmy Sangster, is inferior and ten times as boring as all the others. The fact that the legendary Peter Cushing doesn't star as Victor Frankenstein didn't help the film very much neither...
I have to be fair and admit that the movie has a few good moments and several positive aspects. In fact, the whole second half is ENJOYABLE but it never reaches the usual Hammer level and it seems to take hours before something happens. I still can't believe I sat through till that moment. Several times I came close to pressing the 'eject-button', though. The biggest difference ( and failure ) between this version and the true classics is the character of Victor Frankenstein. The baron is portrayed as an egocentric and precocious basterd who doesn't care about anything or anybody. I got the idea that he doesn't even cared about science...he just wants to create life in favor to increase his own status and to help him get rid of people who stand in his way. He doesn't even dig up the bodies to experiment upon himself !! He talks with a very annoying tone of voice and he's too rich in my opinion. That's never good...Normally, I like arrogant characters but this one had something missing...Maybe it was the performance by the rather unknown actor Ralph Bates. He also played Dr. Jeckyll once in a Hammer production, but I didn't see that one. The ONE thing I didn't understand about him was: He's being worshiped by two of the most beautiful women alive and he totally doesn't care. A man's lifework is important but still,...a bit of lovin' is always pleasant, no ? Especially the actress named Kate O'Mara ( she plays Alys, the housekeeper) is gorgeous ! I think she was the main reason why I couldn't force myself to press the 'eject-button'. I assure you, she's a very beautiful woman. When the monster is ( finally ) created, it looks pretty dumb. He looks like a popular football player ( except for the head ) and he eats pigeons !! This movie was shot only one year after Boris Karloff's death and he ALREADY had to turn over in his grave!! Otherwise, there's nothing to worry for him...he'll always be the one and only "Monster of Frankenstein"
On a more positive note: I really the abrupt ending to Horror of Frankenstein. The last 15 minutes are really good and the whole last setting in Victor's attic is a powerful scene. If only Sangster had been able to create this atmosphere during the whole movie !
Precious "rewind"-moment: Baron Frankenstein is having supper with Prof. Heiss who's trying to make conversation with him. While Heiss is talking, the only thing Frankenstein can think is Heiss' brain which he needs to finish his creation. Satisfying scene in an overall disappointing movie...
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