Frankenstein

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Frankenstein

1931

1h 11m

Horror

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

This iconic horror film follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Aided by his loyal misshapen assistant, Fritz, Frankenstein succeeds in animating his monster, but it escapes into the countryside and begins to wreak havoc. Frankenstein searches for the elusive being and eventually must confront his tormented creation.

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Critics Consensus

Still unnerving to this day, Frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features Boris Karloff's legendary, frightening performance as the monster.

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Ella H. McCormick

Detroit Free Press

01/18/2023

[James Whale] is to be complimented upon his handling of the incidents chosen from the book, and the artistry with which he has built up the picture.

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Nelson B. Bell

Washington Post

01/18/2023

[Boris Karloff's performance] is a skillful but unsavory bit of imaginative and grotesque portraiture that the delicately constituted will dream about through many haunted nights.

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Irene Thirer

New York Daily News

01/18/2023

3/4

It's a study of a chemical experiment -- one which clutches at you icily and holds you until the romantic ending guarantees satisfaction after an hour's worth of gripping, intriguing horrors.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Oct 31

4/5

…there’s zero international travel, no glaciers, no sailing ships, just a bare-bones summary of a quarter of the novel...the bits invented for Whale's film are undeniably cinematic, so generations have just learned to tune out during the romance sections

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 26

3.5/4

Under the ingenious makeup created and applied by studio artist Jack Pierce, Karloff is astonishing in a role that Lugosi had turned down.

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Carson Timar

ClapperCast

10/31/2023

It is the small moments of empathy that stand out here. That is where James Whale shines and as a queer director, he is a master of his craft.

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Richard

Oct 26

Spectacular filming in black and white. The makeup of the monster was very well done. Overall, very good movie.

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Robert

10/24/2023

Great movie, it's truly awesome getting to see movies I never got to see on the big screen, even though I've seen them a hundred times it makes it like a brand new experience, hopefully they keep showing old movies

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Kevin L

@Lakeman Feb 28

There's whole scenes that add little or nothing relevant or necessary to the film. There's poor acting and distractions- Dwight Frye as Fritz; the annoying, goofy old baron; the drip Victor; the 'oh, what must I do?' fiance. The movie needed more doctor Frankenstein and the monster and less of the others. The scene w/ the little girl I found ridiculous. She's not instantly terrifed of this creature while grown adults are? No more flowers? Ok, then in ya go! For its time, I would think the monster wd be pretty frightening. Karloff did well enough. Clive and Van Sloan gave the other better performances. Fairly effective for just 70 min. 3 stars

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Ethan K

@Mcjoeguy Jan 28

Frankenstein, while far from true to it's source material, is honestly far better in the reason why The Monster is evil. It also is more interesting than the Novel.

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Teddy B

@RT90521672 Jan 27

James Whale's sympathetic, taut, and solemn direction is the main force, in my opinion, that pulls this film forward. Boris Karloff and Colin Clive's performances go without saying as being iconic in horror history, and amazingly complex in their own rights. 'Frankenstein' is rather clunky with some pacing issues, though, but it pulls itself together for a thrilling and tragic finale, which makes the viewing experience worth it, if not entirely faithful to its source material which is significantly more difficult to adapt wholesale unlike 'Dracula'.

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Pancho M.

@pancho316 Jan 2

Not much character development

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James Whale

Director

Colin Clive

Dr. Henry Frankenstein

Mae Clarke

Elizabeth (Henry's fiancée)

John Boles

Victor Moritz

Boris Karloff

The Monster

Edward Van Sloan

Dr. Waldman

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Synopsis

This iconic horror film follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Aided by his loyal misshapen assistant, Fritz, Frankenstein succeeds in animating his monster, but it escapes into the countryside and begins to wreak havoc. Frankenstein searches for the elusive being and eventually must confront his tormented creation.

Director: James Whale
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter: Mary Shelley, Peggy Webling, John L. Balderston, Francis Edward Faragoh
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 1931, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono