The Curse of Frankenstein

1957

1h 23m

Horror

List

82%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Ben T

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in their first appearance in a horror film for Hammer. Lee's portrayal of the creature is excellent. The make up is outstanding. The scene in which the creature the creature gets shot in the eye is a gory highlight in the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

DanTheMan 2

Having gone through Universal's catalogue of monster movies last Spooky Season, you know I had to do Hammer this time. Despite being hampered by Universal's constant interference with its production, The Curse of Frankenstein, even if you take away its landmarking significance, is still a terrific movie, signifying the second wave of cinematic horror some 25-odd years after the Universal heyday. Director Terence Fisher creates an unforgettable gothic atmosphere, lighting the film for black and white but shooting in colour, creating haunting elongated shadows that contrast beautifully with the vibrancy of its colour cinematography. Peter Cushing absolutely relishes his role as Frankenstein, making almost believable the ambitious urge and diabolical accomplishment, all the while Christopher Lee turns in a truly monstrous turn as the Monster, bringing with him just as much sympathy and terror as Karloff had done. In its best scenes, The Curse of Frankenstein adds dynamism and British grit to a genre that had previously tried to get by on atmospherics and mood alone. It manages to be shocking without being especially frightening, and its virtues of performance and style remain striking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

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Steve P

Incredibly slow plodding affair . Heard so many good things but it turned out to be more boring than anything

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

Taylor L

The Curse of Frankenstein doesn't get the level of modern recognition that it likely deserves for its influence upon release as the first color film from Hammer Studios, a worldwide box office triumph, and the first of what would ultimately become a seven-film franchise released over the course of more than 15 years. It brought Hammer Horror to the world, with all its Gothic visual trappings and penchant for light, tasteful gore, and made stars of both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (even if they would each gain greater prominence for their roles in later franchises). The only problem is that it falls into the classic trap of cinematic adaptations - a superficial interpretation of the source material. The film is not, nor does it ever intend to be, a true interpretation of Mary Shelley's novel; it's more conventionally creepy than a dark exploration of human nature. But while even the classic 1931 Universal adaptation, with its iconic shots and thematic daring, opted for a monster that lacked the ability to speak or scheme, it at least had a more compelling version of Frankenstein himself. Despite being ably portrayed by Cushing, the Baron here is less a cautionary tale of a largely good-natured man captured by his own greed and ambition, but a genuine villain who murders for his anatomical prizes, kills when he might be exposed, and oddly enough, cheats on his wife for some reason. With Cushing at the helm, he totally sells many of these more conventionally evil traits, it just lacks much of the substance that Shelley imparted to the original work. Plenty of set dressing and zany lab designs help sell the aesthetic that would define a movement in horror. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

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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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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

Full Review

Kim Newman

Empire Magazine

In its best scenes, it adds dynamism and British grit to a genre that had previously tried to get by on atmospherics and mood alone. It manages to be shocking without being especially frightening, and its virtues of performance and style remain striking.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 3, 2013

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Peter Cushing gets every inch of drama from the leading role, making almost believable the ambitious urge and diabolical accomplishment.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Unaccountably a box-office sensation, this plodding and distasteful horror melodrama from Britain has only a few really eerie moments.

Nov 26, 2019

Full Review

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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: Michael Carreras
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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