X
- 1931
- Approved
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 10 m
- 1931
- Approved
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 10 m
Summary An obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.
- 1931
- Approved
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 10 m
- 1931
- Approved
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 10 m
Frankenstein
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary An obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
91
100% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
91
100% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Director James Whale's masterpiece is the definitive monster flick, one of the scariest films of all time. [04 Nov 1994, p.97]
Nothing can detract from the power of the most influential monster movie ever made.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 67 User Ratings
8.0
90% Positive
60 Ratings
60 Ratings
9% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 67 User Ratings
8.0
90% Positive
60 Ratings
60 Ratings
9% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
1% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
There have been complaints that Frankenstein is dated. Personally I don't find that, it isn't the most sumptuous of all films, but it is still a wonderful film, that is still shocking and enthralling to me. The Gothic set design is very imaginative, helped by the beautiful cinematography with suitably bizarre camera angles, and the music score is haunting, melancholy and atmospheric. James Whale's direction is also very impressive, it is very focused and innovative. The story is without a doubt a classic, tense, moody and melancholic, and the Monster itself is just a masterful creation. The cast are superb, Colin Clive is very good as the eccentric Henry Frankenstein, while Mae Clarke is an alluring and sympathetic Elizabeth. There is no doubt in my mind though that Boris Karloff gave the best performance, not only that but the definitive portrayal of the monster. He is almost unrecognisable and scary with his make up, and while he was scary with the towering presence and the frightening look in his eyes, his monster is also somewhat touching, particularly when he reaches up to grasp a ray of sunlight. Overall, shocking, enthralling and just wonderful. "It's Alive!" 10/10 Bethany Cox
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This is a classic movie that you never gets old.
This made Boris Karloff horror icon!
This is a movie that the whole family can watch. It might be too intense for younger children.
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One of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time.
Probably the most famous of all horror films, and one of the best.
As much as the later movies diluted the character of the Frankenstein creature, nothing could blunt the impact made by Karloff in the role of the most memorable movie monster of all time.
Universal entrusted the direction of Frankenstein to James Whale. He did it in the Grand Guignol manner, with as many queer sounds, dark corners, false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted.
It is naturally a morbid, gruesome affair, but it is something to keep the spectator awake, for during its most spine-chilling periods it exacts attention.
I watched it this Halloween season (**** it's still a good movie.
Short, beautiful black and white glory, a classic.
Better than Dracula in my opinion
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At side of Nosferatu and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, a pioneer of terror genre. The screenplay isn't quite faithful to Mary Shelley book, but you can forgive due the detail of who is the monster: the creature or the creator. Despite it's 90 years old, still is ghastly due the presence of Boris Karloff.
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I don't necessarily think it's a bad movie, I just had a hard time getting into it. I thought the pacing was slow. It felt like there were parts of the movie just skipped over due to the odd fade to black moments throughout. It doesn't age as well as you would hope it would, at least in comparison to other universal monster movies.
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Production Company
Universal Pictures
Release Date Nov 21, 1931
Duration 1 h 10 m
Rating Approved
Tagline The Man Who Made A Monster!
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
National Film Preservation Board, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Online Film & Television Association
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
