Bride of Frankenstein

Released Apr 22, 1935

1h 15m

Horror

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98%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster (Boris Karloff) remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him without understanding that his intentions are generally good despite his lack of socialization and self-control.

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Critics Consensus

An eccentric, campy, technically impressive, and frightening picture, James Whale's Bride of Frankenstein has aged remarkably well.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

Advertised as a chiller, this film turns out to be something else, having a lot of jollification, nice fancy, elegant mounting -- there is, in short, beauty as well as the beast.

May 8, 2024

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Screenwriters Hurlbut & Balderston and Director James Whale have given it the macabre intensity proper to all good horror pieces, but have substituted a queer kind of mechanistic pathos for the sheer evil that was Frankenstein.

Oct 7, 2008

Full Review

Simon Braund

Empire Magazine

Whale's erudite genius brings it all together. He sculpts every nuance of self-parody, social satire, horror, humour, wit and whimsy into a dazzling whole, keeping every one of his fantastical plates spinning until the tragic, inevitable finale.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 24, 2007

Full Review

Abby Monteil

them.

It’s no secret that monsters have always appealed to queer folks who see themselves in an “other” that fights eradication, and Bride understands that sentiment perfectly.

Oct 26, 2022

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The baroque blast of stylized design, gothic hysteria and black humor teases, terrifies, and raises the drama to operatic levels.

Oct 9, 2022

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Made by a gay filmmaker in 1935 who understood better than anyone what it was like to be hated for who he was, and crafted as unabashedly queer a film as anything else in Hollywood at the time.

Jun 30, 2022

Full Review

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Dallas H

This movie has so much story filler in its first half. The whole scene with the miniaturized people contained within the bell jars has no real purpose for the point of the main story. It is just a time filler. Beyond minor elements such as this, I still find the film entertaining, even if it is a prominent source of satirical references for Mel Brooks's movie Young Frankenstein (1974).

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Terry S

This film hasn't become a classic by accident. Top-notch effects for the period and over-the-top performances by all! Just loads of fun for all.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

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Felicity K

So many excellent campy characters, the only thing letting it down is the ending for me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

Jay H

Una O'Conner was awful in The Invisible Man, and she almost ruins this movie, too.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

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Alec B

Bride of Frankenstein is a classic horror film that elevates the iconic tale of Mary Shelley's creation to new heights of cinematic brilliance. Directed by James Whale, this sequel surpasses its predecessor, delivering a perfect blend of horror, humor, and poignant storytelling. Boris Karloff reprises his role as the tormented monster, while Elsa Lanchester makes a memorable entrance as the ethereal Bride. The film not only deepens the exploration of the monster's existential struggle but also introduces layers of complexity to Dr. Frankenstein's character. Whale's masterful direction, coupled with Franz Waxman's evocative score, creates an atmospheric masterpiece that transcends the horror genre.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

Sean D

Felt like part 2 of the original Frankenstein movie. This was better than the original! Adding music was a huge plus to show more feel of a scene. They also had more awesome scenes with the Frankenstein monster. This is fun to see him grow in these scenes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/29/23

Full Review

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James Whale

Director

Boris Karloff

The Monster (as Karloff)

Elsa Lanchester

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Colin Clive

Dr. Henry Frankenstein

Valerie Hobson

Elizabeth Frankenstein

O.P. Heggie

Hermit

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Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Pretorius Uses The Monster For Backup

2:21

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Teaching the Monster Manners

2:37

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Frankenstein Needs a New Heart

2:09

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Pretorius Shows Henry His Experiment

2:45

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Frankenstein is Hungry

0:58

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Henry Tries to Give the Creature Life

2:59

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - The Monster Meets His Bride

3:00

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Blackmail

0:47

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - Pretorius Has a Plan

2:20

Bride of Frankenstein: Official Clip - She's Alive! She's Alive!

2:27

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Movieclips: Best of the Universal Monsters

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Synopsis

After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster (Boris Karloff) remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him without understanding that his intentions are generally good despite his lack of socialization and self-control.

Director: James Whale
Screenwriter: William Hurlbut, John L. Balderston, Mary Shelley
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Pictures, Universal Home Entertainment, Film Classics Inc., Universal International Pictures, Realart Pictures Inc.
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 22, 1935, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 15m
Sound Mix: Mono

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