THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN

UK, 1964, 94 minutes, Colour.
Peter Cushing, Peter Woodthorpe, Sandor Eles, Kiwi Kingston, Duncan Lamont, Katy Wild, David Hutcheson.
Directed by Freddie Francis.

The Evil of Frankenstein is one of the many Hammer horror films on the Frankenstein theme. Made popular at Universal Studios with Boris Karloff in the '30s, there were many sequels - and a move towards parody. In the late '50s, Hammer began a new cycle with Peter Cushing - with great success. These continued into the '70s. Colourful, they seemed gory at the time. With some touches of violence, they are now considered classics of British horror film-making. This is an enjoyable variation on the theme, directed by famous cinematographer and director, Freddie Francis.

1. The popularity of the Hammer films on Frankenstein? Their using the familiar plot? The style of the 1960s - more explicit and frank than in the past?

2. The re-creation of period, colour, settings, special effects? The horror, mood? Musical score?

3. Audience familiarity with the basic plot? Enjoying the variations? The monster made to resemble Boris Karloff? Villages, castles? Peter Cushing as Baron Frankenstein?

4. The plot and audience expectations,: the baron and his work, its getting out of hand, denunciations by the authorities and the people, his fleeing, disguise, ambitions? The history of terror and his re-creating it? The character of Frankenstein as portrayed by Peter Cushing: severe, self-assured, lacking scruple - and elegant?

5. Hans and his assistance, help, Frankenstein's friendship with the little girl, Hans helping her, the end and the escape?

6. The baron and Hans finding the monster, the glacier, the baron's hopes, the little girl? The need for the brain transfer? The use of Zoltan?

7. Zoltan and the carnival, as a mesmerist, the brain, his using the monster to rob and gain revenge? His horror at what happened? Turning against Frankenstein? His death?

8. Frankenstein confronting Zoltan, death? Frankenstein's arrest, the escape? The monster, drinking, the final explosions and the baron's death?

9. The gentle touch with the girl and the monster - echoes of the original?

10. Popular themes of science, scientific development, madness, power and vengeance?