Tales of Frankenstein

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Chris M Considering how it ends I doubt we'll be following the artist version of the Monster and it really doesn't leave it open for a series to continue from. Which is what a pilot is suppose to do, a launching pad. This was just a Reader's Digest version of the Shelly novel. Unless they were planning on Frankenstein escaping and every week was going to be another experiment? Doesn't matter, this is so dull, the weakest version of Doctor Frankenstein ever. Plus, maybe the series could have been an hour, to let the characters grow at bit. But that will never happen as it never past the pilot and to add insult to injury time has not been kind to picture or sound. Pass on this Frankenstein creation because it was dead on arrival. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/11/22 Full Review Audience Member It's difficult to see how Hammer ever thought "Tales of Frankenstein" could have worked as a television series. Though only the pilot -- which more or less retells the tale of Frankenstein (Anton Diffring) and his monster (Don Megowan) -- was ever filmed, the central conceit of the program seems to have been an exploration of the Prometheus myth throughout mankind's history, a host of ambitious individuals falling prey to hubris as they attempt to play god within their own endeavors. Based solely on the evidence of the initial "Tales" episode released, the series would have failed -- and not because of the budget issues that allegedly sank the production before it could be picked up. With the pilot as evidence, the writers seemingly didn't have enough creativity to inject anything new into the Frankenstein story, essentially revisiting themes more compelling explored by James Whale 20 years prior for Universal. Baron Frankenstein continues to dabble with his experiments in reviving the dead, setting his sights on a terminally ill sculptor (Richard Bull) who seems willing to part with his earthly shell after he dies in advancement of a cure for what fatally ails him. Unfortunately -- and predictably -- not all goes according to plan, and the artist's reanimated corpse proves to be a brutal, chaotic variable in the baron's plan. Given the state of the world at the time of its release, "Tales of Frankenstein" could have made for a compelling comment on those who attempt to fashion life and death for their own agenda. Similarly, it would have been interesting to see different people from different eras not engaged in the occult sciences unconsciously model Frankenstein's example and suffer his fate. Why, then, the creators opted to start their hoped-for series on such a wrong note, with a watered-down take on a story surely everyone in the audience was at least partly familiar with, is really a pressing question which, after more than 50 years, will surely never have a satisfactory answer. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Quite good, once the casting differences settle into the story context and the familiar sets pull one in. Diffring is distinctly but enjoyably subdued, and Siodmak's direction assured. The plot by husband/wife writers Kuttner and Moore, (The Twonky) has an edgy exploration of romance that is not unfamiliar territory for a Hammer production. A bit strange of a production for `50s television, but very interesting to see in restrospective comparison with Hammer House of Horror and later Frankenstein films. It may look a little cheap in comparison to later films, but the classic sets and machinery are great to see. Thematically, it's also a bit ambitious for tv - putting it in an odd position that perhaps explains the one-off status. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member The great cast is a big plus for Tales of Frankenstein, it's certainly not very long. I thought it was interesting, good effects. Doesn't look low budget, good score. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member I can see why this pilot didn't get picked up. There's nothing there saying quality television really. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member An odd attempt by Hammer studios at turning the success of their Frankenstein series into a t.v. show. The pilot episode here is kinda thin in plot. The monster looks awfull, but i could of gotten used to seeing the series evolve. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Tales of Frankenstein

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