Product Details

• Actors: James Mason, Leonard Whiting, David McCallum, Jane Seymour, Nicola Pagett
• Directors: Jack Smight
• Writers: Christopher Isherwood, Don Bachardy, Mary Shelley
• Producers: Hunt Stromberg Jr., Ian Lewis
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: June 19, 2011
• Run Time: 185 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000H30AQY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,470 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Frankenstein - The True Story" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

FRANKENSTEIN:TRUE STORY - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic mini-series finally gets DVD release-revised with info on the quality of the DVD-5 stars for the film 3 stars for DVD, August 14, 2006

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Frankenstein - The True Story (DVD)

While this isn't exactly how Mary Shelley envisioned FRANKENSTEIN and I wouldn't exactly call it "The True Story" (as opposed to, say, the lying, cheating version), this version adapted by Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy manages to touch on many of Shelley's themes while bringing some more contemporary ones into play as well. For it's time "Frankenstein: The True Story" brought wit, style and a visual flair missing from much of what was available on TV at the time.

The quality of the DVD isn't as good as it could be. The colors have faded and there's noticeable print damage throughout the presentation. I'm very very disappointed that Universal hasn't attempted to spruce this up more for its only probable incarnation on DVD. This is an excellent film with a terrific script that deserved the full restoration efforts of Universal. This was a top notch film that deserved to have all the respect of a theatrical film. Audio is OK but presented with such low levels you'll have to pump up the volume a bit for the film.

The original prologue featuring James Mason is included but not as an extra. Instead, it's presented at the beginning of the film just as it originally aired. On the one hand I like the fact that it is presented the way it originally appeared on the other I had forgotten how much of a spoiler this was showing scenes and presenting major plot points from the film. You may want to skip this chapter and go to the start of the film if you haven't seen the film in a while as it might spoil your enjoyment of the film.

As mentioned previously the film doesn't have any extras beyond the usual previews. A featurette on this pivotal and important film would have been appropriate. With the quality of actors in the film as well as the setting and budget spent on the project I would have hoped for some extras.

The supporting cast includes Baker, Sir Ralph Richardson, Sir John Gielgud, Agnes Moorehead, Margaret Leighton, Michael Wilding, Nicola Pagett and other top notch actors in supporting roles. The performances are dazzling throughout. Although it might not have the gore and rapid pace editing that contemporary audiences are used to it has a terrific and suspenseful story.

**Minor Spoilers Ahead**


Driven to search and question the limits of life and death by his younger brother's death, Victor Frankenstein makes a perfect pupil for fellow doctor Henry Clerval (David McCallum, "The Man from Uncle", "The Outer Limits"). Clerval and Frankenstein (Leonard Whitting from "Romeo and Juliet")collaborate on creating life from the dead. Victor is driven to science and the mystery of creating life by the death of his brother. When Clerval dies shortly before their experiment is complete Frankenstein continues on without him. Victor transplants Clerval's brain into the creature. Clerval discovered that his process was flawed but was unable to communicate this to Frankenstein before his death. Frankenstein succeeds beyond his wildest dreams creating a "human" creature (Michael Sarrazin)who is handsome, a brilliant mimic and extremely bright. Things go awry when the creature begins to disintegrate becoming a "monster" and treated with scorn by those around him. This makes the creature bitter and angry particularly at Victor who tries to destroy it.

Clerval's rival and former teacher Professor Polidori (James Mason)comes across the creature and approaches Frankenstein with a new proposal; Clerval's methods were flawed according to "Poly-Doly" (as Clerval called him)but Polidori can create life with a different techique and superior outcome for the "human" female Agatha(Jane Seymour)he plans on creating. The creature discovers Victor's plans and havoc results. To tell more would spoil much of the plot.

The screenplay by playwright Christopher Isherwood ("Berlin Stories" the basis for both "I Am A Camera" & "Cabaret" and "The Loved One")and Don Bachardy is marvelous taking some of the best elements of Shelley's story and giving the story a unique new twist as well. The TV film was nominated for a Nebula Award (writer's award from the Science Fiction Writers of America)and nominated for several Emmys. Directed by film & TV director Jack Smight ("The Twilight Zone", "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" and the Paul Newman film "Harper")"FTTS" features strong performances from the veteran cast.

While I am disappointed at the quality of the presentation, I'm happy the film is finally available I just wish Universal had given this the budge necessary for restoring the film. Highly recommended for fans of classic horror films this classy production is still the best contemporary version of the story (although I did enjoy "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" with Robert DeNiro and Kenneth Branagh)and well worth catching.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been searching for 26 yrs.!!!!!!! :), November 10, 2001

By 

"elk-frog" (Tri-Cities, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frankenstein: The True Story [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've finally found it! I saw this movie for the first time when I was 10 yrs. old. I had ran across it on tv just a scattered few more times in my life and had forgotten the name of it. Searching seriously for it in the last 5-10 yrs. through the video stores. It's my favorite Frankenstein movie of all time! Why isn't it on DVD and offered uncut to the public! What a waste! If I'm gonna see a good movie I want to see the full version!! How can we make this happen? I have three children and don't want them to miss this one...

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but rarely shown movie, October 22, 2004

By 

TacoGuy (United States) - See all my reviews

The Sci-Fi Channel broadcast this movie back in 1997, and out of curiosity I taped it, not expecting much. But I was pleasantly surprised. "Frankenstein: The True Story" is terrific entertainment. An incredible cast, a well-written script (closer to the novel than the Universal or Hammer versions), and beautiful cinematography.

For a while, "Frankenstein: The True Story" was available on VHS by Goodtimes Home Video. Yet almost half of it was cut out!! Ridiculous.

I haven't seen "Frankenstein: The True Story" on TV in seven years, even though I have satellite with hundreds of channels. None of my local video stores or libraries have a copy either. I once bought a copy of this movie from an obscure Internet company that sells out-of-print titles. They boasted that their copy of "Frankenstein: The True Story" was uncut, but it wasn't.

I would like to repeat what other reviewers have stated...this first rate movie needs to be released to DVD uncut...let me repeat: UNCUT. Hopefully with some commentary by the surviving actors like Leonard Whiting and Jane Seymour.

Amazon.com has a feature that allows you to enter your email address to be notified when this film (and other unreleased titles) is released to DVD. Supposedly, Amazon will notify the studio who owns "Frankenstein: The True Story" about the interest. So I would urge fans to sign up.