1973’s FRANKENSTEIN & THE MONSTER FROM HELL is the final installment in Hammer’s long running FRANKENSTEIN series which created a revolution in horror films back in 1957 by introducing color with THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Between these two titles were 5 other films ranging from first class (1967’s FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN – the title being a parody of Brigitte Bardot’s AND GOD CREATED WOMAN) to singularly unfortunate (1970’s HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN – which was meant to be a parody). All but two were directed by Terence Fisher and only HORROR did not star Peter Cushing. For this last go round Cushing and company were working with severe budgetary limitations yet they managed to produce a fitting swan song.
Times had changed and horror movies were shot with bigger budgets and had become effects driven as opposed to story and character driven. Contemporary horror as epitomised by NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE EXORCIST was in and Gothic horrors were out even in England where the literary tradition began. Hammer could only afford less than $300,000 for FATMFH and while it shows in the miniature shots, the overall effect of the film is remarkably effective considering the budget. The sets are claustrophobic, the music intermittent, and the performances subdued giving the entire movie a melancholy air befitting its status as the last one in the series.
A cadaverous looking Peter Cushing is spot on as the elderly Baron. Although subdued in nature, he’s still very much in control. Shane Briant is like a younger version of Cushing although he does show some conscience at the end. David Prowse uses his eyes effectively as the creature (weird make-up though) and Madeline Smith conveys innocence throughout which is very hard to do. Various small parts are played by well known British character players including Bernard Lee (M from the James Bond films). Although not in the best of health, Terence Fisher still directs with a firm hand using his camera fluidly and editing scenes for maximum impact. Speaking of editing, it should be noted that this American version of the film is 6 minutes shorter than the British one.
FATMFH was released by Paramount, 2 years after it was made, on a double bill with CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER. It did not fare well either here or abroad which hastened the original Hammer’s demise. 40 years later it holds up quite well and is in the top third of Hammer’s FRANKENSTEIN releases. I would love to see it partnered on Blu-Ray/DVD with SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA allowing us to see the swan song of both series together. It could then be bookended with the start-up films CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and HORROR OF DRACULA for a real comparison. Until then this Paramount DVD will have to do. The picture is sharp and clear and in the right aspect as well. Commentary by Dave Prowse and Maddie Smith about working for Hammer as well as on this film, gives the DVD an added dimension for hardcore fans.
The Capsule Critic 