Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1998, DVD)

IT'S ALIVE!

Almost everybody has heard of Frankenstein. The crazed doctor who recreates life by turning a corpse into a living creature. In 1818, Mary Shelley, 19 at the time, published her gothic novel "Frankenstein". The chilling story shocked the world and has influenced literature and culture for decades.


In 1931, Universal Studios entered a "monster phase". With the release of the classic Dracula starring Bela Lugosi, the studio soon released another horrifying creature feature. Frankenstein, starring the famous Boris Karloff, scared moviegoers for years for his chilling performance as a corpse, brought to life by a mad doctor. Over the years, the classic gothic tale has been adapted by numerous film makers including numerous sequels and versions of the story, Curse Of Frankenstein, Bride Of Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein and even a television series adaption.

One of the most known versions, besides the 1931 original, is 1994's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.


The Dead Walks!
In 1992, world-famous director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather trilogy) produced a version of one of his favorite monsters, Bram Stoker's Dracula. With the film's all star cast, gothic imagery, and eroticism, the movie proved to be a box office success. Not even two years later, Francis Ford Coppola, under the direction of actor Kenneth Branagh, helped bring Frankenstein to the screen.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, following the formula of Bram Stoker's Dracula featured eroticism, gothic horror, stunning effects, a stellar cast, and following a close relation to the classic novel.


The film opens in the Artic Sea, 1794. Captain Robert Walton and his crew, on their boat, set out to find a route to the North Pole. After getting stuck in ice, they hear growls and screams in the distant. A dark figure comes out of the cold mist, a weak man covered in furs. After taking refuge on the ship, the man reveals himself to the captain as being Victor Frankenstein. Victor, weak and sick from the cold begins to realize that death is approaching, and beings to tell a horrifying tale in hopes that humanity can learn from his misfortunes.

The film then shifts backwards many years. The Frankenstein household, in Geneva Switzerland, is all in an uproar over over the pregnancy of his mother. After the death of his mother, Victor embarks on a journey of various experiments to preserve all life claiming "no one need ever die."

Victor, corrupted by youth and love for his adopted sister Elizabeth, travels to Ingolstadt, Germany to pursue his dreams of being able to preserve and create life. After numerous failed experiments he invites the help of medical school friend Henry Clerval and a former crazed Professor Waldman. The professor warns Victor of his dangerous dreams, forbidding all to see his diary, which contains the secret to creating life.

After Professor Waldman is murdered by a snarling homeless man during a vaccination epidemic in the city, Victor steals the professor's journals and equipment. After gathering the numerous body organs and the hung body of the murderer, Victor prepares on his dangerous and sinful journey.

At home, Victor's wife-to-be and adopted sister Elizabeth is starting to worry after Victor's absence of writing letters.
After numerous tries, Victor's experiment comes to an end as he creates life. The creature, full of scars and disfiguring features, escapes Victor's apartment and breaks out into the streets of the city. After weeks on the street and numerous hatred, the creature learns how to speak and read. He also learns to accept himself as a monster and sets out to destroy the man who gave him a horrifying, damned life. He soon discovers a journal in his coat pocket, the journal of Victor Frankenstein.

Victor, after getting sick from Pneumonia, is taken away from the plague-invaded city and is returned home to the family estate. With him is Henry, who promises to speak nothing of Victor's experiments.

Meanwhile, the creature beings its journey to destroy Victor and his entire family.



Bringing Life To An Old Tale

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a gothic horror film complete with the elements of violence, love, and drama.


Kenneth Branagh takes his turn in the director's chair as he brings the old tale into a new life. Kenneth Branagh also stars as Victor Frankenstein, the man driven by scientific curiosity and his desire to end diseases. Victor Frankenstein has often be portrayed in nearly all film versions as a "mad doctor" with a loyal hunchback partner. Mary Shelley, however, wrote Victor as a sad character with desires to play "GOD" and end the suffering of the ill. This movie, if not the only one, is true to Victor's original characterization. As one watches, we being to agree with Victor and understand his reasons. While I believe Victor was portrayed accurately, Kenneth can seem a bit over the top at times. The film also places the question of what you would do if you were in Victor's shoes.
Kenneth Branagh, in my opinion, was a fine Victor Frankenstein and was true to the character. For once, I was happy not to see a crazy doctor screaming for more electricity.

Robert De Niro introduces his spin of Frankenstein by playing Victor's sorrowful creation, The Creature. Many believe that Frankenstein is the name of the monster, not true! All previous versions of Frankenstein portray the creature as a killer and at times horribly evil. In 1931, Boris Karloff's Frankenstein monster, although was evil, showed remorse and kindness. A trait that is true to Shelley's novel. Mary Shelley portrayed the character of the Creature as a lonesome creation, longing for a name and a place in life. Shelley also portrays the creation as the dangers when humans play GOD. Soon the creature learns to hate himself and vows to kill Frankenstein and all his loved ones. Robert De Niro's acting is fantastic and at times makes you feel for the creature. I can honestly say that there were times when I understood the creature and was rooting for the death of Frankenstein.

Helena Bonham Carter plays Victor's adopted step-sister and lover, Elizabeth. Helena portrays Elizabeth as an honest, loving woman who desires to make Victor happy and start a family. Mary's version of Elizabeth is very similar, however I do not recall if Elizabeth was adopted into the Frankenstein family at an early age. Elizabeth was most likely my favorite character in the movie, with her wholesome goodness and sex appeal.

Tom Hulce plays Victor's best friend, Henry. Tom portrays Henry as a man who believes Victor's experiments are evil and that death was a matter for GOD, not man. Henry is a smart character and makes many good points to Victor throughout the film.

Aidan Quinn plays Captain Robert Walton. Aidan's performance was exciting, especially during a storm in the film's introduction.



Why Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, at the time of its releases, was a box office failure. It grossed nearly 22 million dollars with a budget of nearly 45 million. However, that has not stopped people from enjoying the romance and terror of the film.

Out of all the numerous movies out there, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein stays closer to the novel than other versions. When watching the movie, one can get a sense of Mary Shelley and her style of creating characters and situations.


Visually Enchanting!

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein features great special effects, sets, and a powerful soundtrack. The film also was accompanied by video game releases and a arcade pinball machine.


Food For Thought

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein may not be the best Frankenstein movie but remains truthful to the themes of the original classic novel.

The film can be purchased on VHS and DVD. The DVD contains no extra features and it is a shame, indeed. However, with the upcoming release of Bram Stoker's Dracula: 2 Disc Special Edition, a re-release of the movie may occur since the two movies have long been tied together.
The film contains horrific images, some violence, brief sexual content, and brief nudity during the creation of the creature. I believe the film is appropriate for teenagers age 14 and above.

DVD RELEASE DETAILS
*Full Screen Presentation
*English, Spanish, and French Language Tracks
*English, Spanish, and French Subtitles
*Theatrical Trailer
*Rated R
*123 Minutes


Be Warned. It's Alive!

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is my favorite interpretation of the classic novel. After watching this movie, I embarked on reading Mary Shelley's literature. I must say, the film is true for the most part with minor changes. I think that this film is a must see for people who enjoy gothic horror and the film Bram Stoker's Dracula. Nothing can beat the original 1931 classic, but nobody is perfect.

I can mostly agree with Paul Wunder's review of the movie. "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is 100% pure excitement. Visually stunning and refreshingly different."