THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
UK, 1957, 82 minutes, Colour.
Peter Cushing, Robert Urquart, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee.
Directed by Terence Fisher.
The Curse of Frankenstein was the first in Hammer Studios 20+ years of horror films, including variations of the Frankenstein theme and, particularly, Dracula films.
In comparison with later films, this version looks rather elegant, with some horror and violence, but minimal compared to later standards.
Peter Cushing began a new career with Hammer Studios as Frankenstein as well as Van Helsing in the Dracula films.He always presented as a rather dignified screen presence and so his callous behaviour towards his maid and towards Elizabeth, especially kissing scenes, seem somehow very unbecoming for him. But, as the arrogant Victor, pursuing his ambition to create life, he is very effective. Christopher Lee, also moved into horror rules as the creature and was to continue as Dracula. Robert Urquart is the character who gives some moral compass to the film.
The film was directed by Terence Fisher who had been directing small budget films up to this time, and was to go on to direct many of Hammer’s classic horror films.
1. A classic Frankenstein film, from the 1950s? The influence of the classic from the 1930s? The continued tradition of Frankenstein films? Especially from Hammer Studios?
2. Production values, recreation of the period, costumes and decor, Switzerland, the castle, the countryside? The musical score?
3. Variation on Mary Shelley’s novel? The character of Frankenstein, his being imprisoned, the visit of the priest, his telling his story, wanting forgiveness? Yet callous, single-minded, the relationship with his maid, callous towards Elizabeth? His experiments, his ambitions, his achievement, overcome by his achievement?
4. Victor Frankenstein as a boy, the Baron, the funeral, the letter to Paul, the interview, his praise of Paul as a tutor? Their working together, the experiments? The experiment creating life? Frankenstein’s ambition to create a human, Paul being against this? The collaboration, the falling out?
5. Frankenstein, his going to get the hands for the creature, the visit of the professor, Frankenstein killing him, taking his brain, Paul struggling with it, the damage to the brain and the consequences for the creature?
6. Frankenstein, the past relation with Elizabeth and her mother, the money, her return, intention to marry, Frankenstein’s disdain, the maid and her demanding to be married, her disappearance, Frankenstein using Elizabeth?
7. Paul, his feelings towards Elizabeth, the continued confrontations with Victor, his moral disapproval?
8. Victor, preparation for the wedding? Bringing the creature to life? The violence, having to control the creature? The creature out in the countryside, little boy, the blind old man? His being chained? His becoming free, loosening the chain?
9. Elizabeth, going upstairs, in the laboratory, on the roof, the creature, her being shot?
10. The creature, menacing, being shot, Victor blaming Paul?
11. Victor, his imprisonment, the priest walking out, Paul and Elizabeth coming to see him, his attacking Paul – and his going to his execution?
12. This film opening the tradition for Hammer Studios and the horror traditions?
