The Curse of Frankenstein

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The Curse of Frankenstein

1957

1h 23m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

84%

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25 Reviews

77%

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2,500+ Ratings

Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is a brilliant scientist willing to stop at nothing in his quest to reanimate a deceased body. After alienating his longtime friend and partner, Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), with his extreme methods, Frankenstein assembles a hideous creature (Christopher Lee) out of dead body parts and succeeds in bringing it to life. But the monster is not as obedient or docile as Frankenstein expected, and it runs amok, resulting in murder and mayhem.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

There’s a gnawing unease at the core of the movie that finds expression in Peter Cushing’s seething turn as the bad doctor.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 3, 2025

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The creature himself is not a tragically pained or unhappy figure: he is simply violent; and the whole story is crisply told at a racy 83 minutes, and yet it is delivered with absolute seriousness and conviction.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 2, 2025

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Seraphina Alaimo

New York Daily News

For the new film generation, some minor chills are offered in this well-done production.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 25, 2021

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

The sensitivity of Lee's performance helps to draw out the ambiguities in Shelley's work, and the moral complexities which, acknowledged or not, are a critical component of the story's staying power.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 2, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

More explicit in its bloodletting than past horror yarns, with the use of color paving the way for a fresh new look to the established creature features.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 21, 2021

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Director Terence Fisher creates an indelible gothic atmosphere, lighting the film for black and white but shooting in color, creating haunting elongated shadows that contrast beautifully with the vibrant Eastmancolour cinematography.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 8, 2021

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Dallas H

I do enjoy watching the Hammer Films with the classic monsters just as much as I love the classic black-and-white Universal Pictures monster movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Kalissa H

I felt sorry for the dog at the beginning, but this movie is captivating. Peter Cushing is great in this, of course.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Joel H

The Curse of Frankenstein brings new life to Mary Shelley’s gothic tale. This colorized film adaptation adds a sense of gruesomeness to the story, and it also is the first adaptation where I’ve felt like Victor Frankenstein is the real monster. Peter Cushing is delightfully devilish in that role, and I was surprised to discover it was his first part in a feature film. It’s also fun to see Christopher Lee as The Creature, who is quite horrifying. I don’t wish to downplay Universal’s classic 1931 Frankenstein, which is undeniably iconic, but The Curse of Frankenstein may be my new favorite adaptation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

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NiB Y

This movie focuses more on the doctor rather the creature. Amazing performance by the even more amazing duo of Cushing as Frankenstein and Lee as the Monster, with some terrific makeup on the latter. Must see if you are horror fan.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

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Thom G

The Curse of Frankenstein doesn't bring anything new to the table compared to other versions of the story. Particularly, the philosophical questions are more refined in the original, and the tropes feel repetitive here. That said, the aesthetic and overall atmosphere are effective, as is the creepy creature.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

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Alec B

Love that Victor Frankenstein is such a massive asshole in this. Really makes for the best use of Cushing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Terence Fisher

Director

Peter Cushing

Victor Frankenstein

Christopher Lee

Creature

Hazel Court

Elizabeth

Robert Urquhart

Paul Krempe

Valerie Gaunt

Justine

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Synopsis

Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is a brilliant scientist willing to stop at nothing in his quest to reanimate a deceased body. After alienating his longtime friend and partner, Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), with his extreme methods, Frankenstein assembles a hideous creature (Christopher Lee) out of dead body parts and succeeds in bringing it to life. But the monster is not as obedient or docile as Frankenstein expected, and it runs amok, resulting in murder and mayhem.

Director: Terence Fisher
Producer: Anthony Hinds
Screenwriter: Jimmy Sangster
Production Co: Hammer Films
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 23m

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