Customer Reviews

Evil of Frankenstein [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I always put off seeing this one because I heard a lot of negative things about it, but it is far better than it is given cradit for. I think this film gets a great deal of slack due to the fact that it followed up the first two Frankenstein films which were just outstanding. This film is certainly not in the same league as those two, but I would say it is the fourth best of the seven Hammer Frankenstein films. one of the major criticisms about this one is the monster's appearance because they switched to using the old Karloff make-up, only cheaper. The make-up does like several layers of old oatmeal, but it is certainly no worse than the make-up used in Horror of Frankenstein and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell. Peter Cushing puts forth a good performance, some people say his character begins changing in this one, but I don't think that is true. The story does get a little shaky once the hypnotist is brought, but it is still entertaining. Films of Freddie Francis always seemed to have some fine visuals here and there, and this film is no exception. The scene where the body snatcher is carrying the body along the ridge and the scenes of the castle are the stand-outs. This is certainly a step down from the first two, but it still fairly good.

Is this predictable? YES! Yet, is it cheesy to the core and entertaining? YES! Here, Peter Cushing is great - though not at his best - and the supporting csat is cheesy enough to carry this Hammer entry.

There is only one problem - the monster himself looks rather mediocre. If anything, this is an insult to the fans.

Yet, in all, this one is a cheesy, guilty treat.

Um,except for a mildly eerie opening sequence & a scene that involves the monster bashing man's head against wall, this movie is basically scare-free. It also makes a concerted effort to whitewash the icy, amoral Baron Frankenstein of the previous 2 movies. The net result is a somewhat goofy and shallow but genuinely entertaining quasi-swashbuckler about a swaggering, athletic scientist (Frankenstein), his loyal (almost to the point of homosexual infatuation) assistant, the mute beggar girl who trails along after them, the disreputable hypnotist they take in, and the monster they revive. All living as outlaws, dodging the authorities, making their way the only way they know how, which is just a little more than the law will allow. A popcorn movie par excellence.

This is not Shakespeare, but then I don't want it to be. It's gloriously Hammer all the way -- Colour remakes and sequels to the originals with the legends Lee and Cushing.

Where Lee and Cushing battled it out in the Dracula series, Cushing made the good doctor his own in a number films all directed by the brilliant Terrance Fisher--save this one. Freddie Francis took over direction on this film for some reason. So it has a different flavour than the other Cushing Frankenstein films, while still being very Hammer.

Still, it has enough power to deliver a Hammer good time! It's loaded with bouts of really corny dialogue - but then we LOVE that in these B-flicks.

A must for Hammer or Cushing addicts.

I always loved this Hammer version of Frankenstein. It seems that the good doctor, who has been hiding by moving from town to town, is trying to create yet another creature by stealing corpses right out of their homes.This time a little girl witnesess the event, but more on her later. A priest catches on to what the dorctor is doing and smashes the lab, forcing Doctor Frankenstein and his assistant, Hans, to move on. The only place for the doctor to go is back to his old Chateau in a town called Karlstaad. It is there he can sell the furniture and belongings in his old home to raise money to continue his experiments. Upon arriving, the doctor finds that his home has been ransacked by the townspoeple, including the Burgomaster! The doctor and Hans go into town for a drink, are quickly recognized and flee into the mountains where they encounter the now teenage girl who witnessed the body of her father stolen by the doctor many years ago. Now a deaf mute from her trauma, she befriends the doctor and shows him where the monster is. Frozen in ice, Doctor Frankenstein takes the creature back to the Chateau to revive him. The monster, who was shot in the head before being frozen, is now a lifeless creature who does not respond to anything the doctor tries. With the help of a traveling hypnotist, the creature is awakened, but the greed of the hypnotist gets the better of him and forces the monsters to kill and steal for him. The doctor, finds out, and throws out the hypnotist, but he soons finds his way back into the house, a fight breaks out and the creature mistakenly drinks acid and goes berserk and traps himself and Doctor Frankenstein in the Chateau only to burn up in the ruins.

A classic twist on the Frankenstein legends thanks to Hammer and Cushing. The makeup for the monster is better than ever, a closer resemblance to the Karloff monster. Only trouble is, there are a few edits of this movie floating around. One edit has more story line invloving the small girl and her unfortunate trauma. All in all a great film and my favorite Cushing Frankenstein. Great supporting cast by the actor who plays the hypnotist, he is truely an opportunist! This film, now deleted from VHS and out of print for the moment, will hopefully find it's rightful place on DVD... very SOON!

Fred Francis(who never received the credit he deserved for this film or for "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave") took over the directing reins from Terence Fisher for this, Hammer's third Frankenstein film. With his masterful use of dark lighting and dungeon like sets, Francis creates a very moody, dark, atmosphere. The film is slightly weak on plot, with a rather uninspired story involving a side show hypnotist. But as any Hammer fan knows, it's all about atmosphere. And this movie has it in spades. That along with a characteristically fine performance from Cushing makes this a worthy watch for any Hammer fan.

I am reviewing this film on the VHS page as it is only available on DVD on Hammer Horror series. It is included on this set with 7 other classic Hammer horror films. I will review that set when I finish all 8 films included. NOW FOR THE FILM REVIEW........This is the third entry in the Frankenstein series that Hammer produced. My review is certainly bias because I saw this in the theater as a wee lad and it scared me pretty good! Watching the film now,close to 40 years later, I found that it was not on the level of the first two films......don't get me wrong, I do like this film very much but, for nostalgia reasons. Universal let Hammer use the famous monster make-up from the black and white original.......well sort of!?? Looking at the make-up in this entry now it was almost laughable! I was confused watching this film because I did not know if it was a true sequel to 'The Revenge of Frankenstein'. There are some continuity problems if it is. Dr. Frankenstein no longer has the arm of the tattooed pick pocket for one and the back story is completely different for the monster this time. Does it matter?.......I guess not!.. as this film is really just a good old fashioned monster movie. I think the first two are better films but, this one entertained me just the same. I like Hammer films for what they did at the time, breath new life into a fading genre. This entry reminded me of the horror films Universal was turning out in the 40's. Silly but, fun monster on the loose horror films. 3 1/2 stars for this one....it brought back some great memories. The DVD transfer is very good but I did notice some slight defects while playing. I may want a replacement. I have heard of some problems with some of the discs in this set.

I think even the Hammer fans here are criticising this one a bit harshly -- perhaps it's because the other entries have been so very incredible. But when I evaluate this film in its own genre, on its own merits, I gladly give it a hearty FIVE STARS!

What do I like about 'The Evil of Frankenstein'?

1. The cinematography, as we have come to love with the Hammer series, is just tops. There are some especially great camera angles in this one. That long view of the mountain estate is a real video knock-out punch.

2. The locations reveal all manner of spectacular scenery. That view on the carriage ride from the first village back through the Baron's home village and up to the Frankenstein estate is just superb! Rarely, in any film, do we ever see pure color saturation like this.

3. The story is a pretty darn good one (more monster resurrection) and there's even a great new slant: The Baron requires the aid of an evil hypnotist in order to get the monster rowing with both oars. Zoltan (Peter Woodthorpe), playing the mystic hypnotist, is just a huge bonus, as far as I'm concerned. There are tons of cool, old crusty-looking characters throughout this film. And that little, red-headed, animalistic, ripped-dress, mute ragamuffin that hangs out with the monster is as hot as Madonna, except she keeps her mouth shut!

4. The movie is BULGING with great old ATMOSPHERE -- there has NEVER been a groovier Frankenstein estate than that old castle! Very picturesque.

5. I liked the monster's looks -- a very traditional Frankenstein monster, I thought. Yes the make-up could have been a bit better around the eyes, but still, I found him more than acceptable.

If I have a hang-up about the film, it's that my copy is a VHS tape. You know darn well that when it comes out on DVD that it's going to be clear as a crystal and in widescreen. I can't wait!

So, given all those plusses, I readily give Hammer Films yet another big slap on the back. If you like the Hammer Horror films, don't miss this one!

I once read in Cliff Notes(when I was studying Frankenstein for a World Civ course)a review for this one and they gave it the highest rating and jazzed it up as if it were better than sliced bread.I could not believe it. This is Hammer at its absolute worst.The only reason I do not give it one star(or none) is Peter Cushing! It does have a creepy opening as Dr. Frank and assistant are doing what they do best! It is a good prolouge, but from there it gets worse. I remember seeing the original tv print when this one was released(read Maltin's review on this subject) on the Sherman Oaks Creature Feature in 1980.The make up for the monster(Kiwi Kingston) in this one looks like some kid's rendition at Halloween time! This one also confused me because some of it is told in flashback and if that is supposed to be his original "CURSE OF" creation it does not look the same(house is different, monster does not look the same, etc.).Christopher Lee's monster in "CURSE OF" was not any better but Curse of Frankenstein was a much better film(no disrespect to Mr. Lee as he did make the best Dracula ever!).Everything seems to go wrong in this one.Embarassingly funny scene where Cushing makes a swashbuckling escape from the old Burgomaster's house should have been left on the cutting room floor.Sequel(which catches a lot of flack)is Frankenstein Created Woman, and it is better!

For my money, this is the best of the Hammer Frankenstein films. I'm a big Terrence Fisher fan but his Frankenstein don't do much for me personally. They're decent, but his Dracula films are better. Freddie Francis keeps things moving with great sets, wonderful matte paintings and Peter Cushing chewing up the scenery. Hammer films have always been melodramatic and this one is wall to wall with it. One can only hope that Universal will put this on DVD soon.