THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN

UK, 1958, 90 minutes, Colour.

Peter Cushing, Francis Matthews, Eunice Gayson, Michael Gwynn, Lionel Jeffries, Charles Lloyd Pack, George Woodbridge, Michael Ripper.

Directed by Terrence Fisher.

Mary Shelley must be amazed at the vast number of Frankenstein films. And they continue.

However, in the mid-1950s, Hammer Studios began a series of horror films based on classics, especially Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The first was The Curse of Frankenstein, featuring Peter Cushing as the Baron. While there were some of the horror tropes, especially the end, the film was really made as drama, well cast, well acted, dramatising the elements of Mary Shelley’s perspective but, going beyond it, Frankenstein and the consequences of his actions.

Then, almost immediately, this sequel. And the same comment about drama and the horror tropes. Now, Frankenstein is about to be executed for his experiments, a scene at the gallows, struggle – and, his friends helping him, substituting the assistant priest in the coffin.

The bulk of the film has Frankenstein in the city, calling himself Dr Stein, treating all the fashionable inhabitants who flock to him, but also working in the poor ward. The local Council of doctors are not impressed – except for the young one, played by Francis Matthews, who knows who Dr Stein is and wants to learn from him, collaborating in a reworking of constructing the body of a new creature, wanting to transfer the brain of the crippled Karl who works in the laboratory.

So, the emphasis on drama, Peter Cushing full of dignity, clearly articulate, arrogant in his self-confidence, and the eager young assistant, details of the poor ward, the experiment, and, as expected, some dire consequences.

Six years later, there was a third Peter Cushing/Frankenstein film, Evil  of Frankenstein.

1. The second in the Hammer Studios trilogy of Frankenstein? The original curse of Frankenstein, the next film, Evil of Frankenstein? The continuation of the story beyond Mary Shelley?
2. Hammer Studios, the 1950s, taking up the classic horror stories, emphasising the drama and the characters rather than the horror aspects? Keeping the horror aspects until the end?
3. The situation, Frankenstein and his experiments, the arrest, condemnation to death, the opening and the gallows, Frankenstein being led to the gallows, the priest, Karl in attendance, the executioners? The focus on the gallows, the sounds of the commotion, Frankenstein’s escape?
4. The cemetery, the two men, the salary, digging up graves, drinking, the lazy digger eating, opening the coffin, finding the priest? Frankenstein, the digger and his heart attack?
5. Three years later, Dr Victor Stein in Carlsbruck, his practice, the waiting room full, the women, his work in the poor ward, the many men, his work, charity work?
6. The town council of doctors, the meeting, denunciations of Dr Stein? The decision about the delegation, their arrival, being made to wait with the poor patients?
7. Peter Cushing as Dr Frankenstein, presence, dignified manner, speaking clearly, dignity? Yet the ruthlessness of his experiments? Commitment to science? His treatment of the committee?
8. Dr Kleve, age, earnest, his practice, education, devotion to science, his request of Frankenstein, and the interrogation, Frankenstain showing him the laboratories, the extent of his experiments, fire, the eyes moving, the hand reaching out, the brain? The revelation of the perfect body made up of parts? (And the parts coming from the men in the ward?)
9. Karl, hunches, his brain, working with the doctor, the promise of a new body with his own brain?
10. Margaret, her position in the town, wanting to work? Dr Stein’s reaction, ousting her? Her later visits? The worker, his confiding the truth in her? Her meeting Karl? Later encounter with Karl, trying to help, his reliance on her? At the musical recital, Karl coming, the crisis?
11. The worker in the ward, his relationship with Dr Stein, helping, yet shrewd, having the key, informing Margaret?
12. The experiment, taking Karl’s brain, into the new body? Karl’s body – and his discovering it, burning it? Karl, the new awareness, appearance, being bound, the treatment by the doctors? His dissatisfaction, the background of the chimpanzee and Otto and the exchange of brain?
13. Dr Kleve and his helping Karl, Margaret, loosening the bonds, his getting away? The clear brain, the monstrous brain, his attack on the young girl? The police stopping the doctors, the interrogation?
14. The doctors, going to the recital, the search for Karl, his going berserk?
15. The reaction of the doctors, the condemnation of Dr Stein, exposing him and his response? His going into the ward, the condemnation, despising him, the attack, his death, Dr Kleve and the rescue?
16. Dr Stein and his recovery, London, Dr Frank and a new life?