Frankenstein contra el monstruo

The last entry in Hammer's legendary Frankenstein cycle by far isn't the best one, but it probably is the most appealing chapter to enthusiast horror buffs due to the excessive use of blood and ugly make-up effects. "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell" is the direct successor of "Frankenstein must be destroyed", since Jimmy Sangster's "Horror of Frankenstein" introduced a different lead-actor (Ralph Bates) and repeated the initial premise of the infamous baron. Terence Fisher's grand finale is set entirely in a mental asylum where good old Peter Cushing continues his deviant experiments undercover. He changed his name to Dr. Viktor and receives help from a gifted new-arrival who got convicted for committing the exact same sorcery-crimes (although Frankenstein considers it science). In their private asylum-chambers, the doctors create new life using the brains and body parts of unfortunate patients of the asylum. Although good campy fun nonetheless, this film slightly disappoints compared to its predecessors. I feel like Fisher could have used the grim asylum setting much better and even Cushing's characters isn't as 'evil' as it was in the other films. Simon Helder – Frankenstein's partner in crime – is entirely listless and Madeline Smith doesn't do much either, aside from looking really cute. The monster doesn't evoke feelings of fright and he actually looks more like a fugitive cast-member of the "Planet of the Apes"-series. On the other hand, you could say that this installment is one of the better since the scenery is raw and the monster is more repellent looking. There are some really nasty killings in this film and the medical experiments are extremely graphic (a gratuitous brain-transplant, anyone?). Purely talking trivia, this also is an interesting film as it was Terence Fisher's last directing achievement. This great director easily was one of the genre's most important icons, with on his repertoire most films of both the Frankenstein and Dracula franchises as well as some other milestones like "The Devil Rides Out" and "The Mummy". His last film (Fisher passed away in 1980) is great entertainment and nothing more.

Hammer's last Frankenstein outing is one of their best; despite the great sadness that went in its production (inherent in the film's overall effect but thankfully not swamped by it), the film emerges as a pretty solid and well-crafted chiller with a remarkable Gothic flavor (all the more impressive for being made on such shoddy finances - the film allegedly carried one of the companies' lowest-ever budgets!).

Script and direction keep the action of the plot moving, despite the necessarily cramped settings. Peter Cushing and Terence Fisher's own personal state of minds create a poignant, almost elegiac ode to Gothic horror: this was to prove their final collaboration (indeed, it was Fisher's very last film). The camera-work, James Bernard's score and the production design all contribute to make this a true harking-back to the heyday of Hammer horror (in view of the fact that a lot of changes were effected during the early 70s with varying degrees of success); still, along with BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1971), DR. JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE (1971), DEMONS OF THE MIND (1972) and CAPTAIN KRONOS - VAMPIRE HUNTER (1974), this is one of the last great Hammer films.

The Baron had evolved a great deal during his sixteen-year period at Hammer (producing seven films in all, only one of which did not feature Peter Cushing and only two were not helmed by Terence Fisher), reaching its zenith perhaps in FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (1969) where virtually no trace of humanity could be detected in the character! This final venture finds him more relaxed (or, perhaps, I should say resigned) but certainly no saner or less involved with his obsessive quest to achieve immortality!! The rest of the cast is equally admirable: Shane Briant, one of Hammer's bright young hopefuls, building upon his achievements in both DEMONS OF THE MIND and CAPTAIN KRONOS - VAMPIRE HUNTER; Madeleine Smith graces the screen with her presence, managing to give her character (an abused mute inmate) an inner strength and compassion that would normally be difficult to communicate without words; Dave Prowse's monster is a memorably designed hulk (somewhat overdone in the style of Fredric March's Hyde persona in the 1931 version of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE) but who unreservedly elicits the audience's sympathy because, saddled with numerous body parts that do not belong to him, he is forced to go on living when his sole desire (possessing an ugly interior as well as exterior) was to end it all!; a few supporting characters are allowed to shine as well, notably Patrick Troughton, John Stratton and Bernard Lee.

The DVD transfer is stunning, especially in widescreen. However, Paramount really dropped the ball by opting to release the edited U.S. version: I have to agree with those who condemned them for it, because the missing footage (the artery clamping scene chief among them - as it stands now, the dialogue follows on too hurriedly, making the cut extremely obvious; the scene was not particularly graphic, but it certainly amplified the Baron's character and his dedication to his work) is certainly important and, if anything, helps keep the film's pace balanced as the 'stitching' together of scenes {sic} is awkwardly handled on more than one occasion (see also Bernard Lee's funeral, where Cushing suddenly appears beside the coffin when it is dropped to the ground); similarly, the climax is marred by the loss of footage where the inmates tear the monster apart (on the DVD it would seem that the monster was entirely made up of bits and pieces of flesh, so easily is he dismembered, when we know full well this isn't so!); interestingly, however, though all these bits of added gore are to be found on my murky full-screen VHS, one shot from the DVD is not in fact present - the slashed throat of the John Stratton character!

The Audio Commentary is an immensely enjoyable and lively talk: though the subject matter wanders alarmingly, the relationship between the three participants is so genuine that one cannot help but be drawn into their reminiscences, opinions and idle chatter; indeed, I'd go so far as to say that it's perhaps the best Commentary on a Hammer DVD I've heard!

In this last movie of Hammer Studios' Frankenstein, Peter Cushing proves once again why he is perfect as the Baron. The plot is sometimes confusing, but works well. It moves fast and smooth like the movie Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, but unlike The Evil of Frankenstein. In comparison to Destroyed, this movie ranks right up there with it. A good cast and script helps this movie entirely. In comparison to Evil, this movie beats it to a pulp. The Evil of Frankenstein was a disgrace, but Cushing's performence makes up for the plot entirely. All in all, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell is a good, solid film that might be confusing to some, but is great for a late night movie.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974) was made during the waning days of Hammer Films. Peter Cushing once again reprises his role as Baron Frankenstein (under another non de plume)and he's up to his old tricks again. Why can't the Baron learn from his past mistakes? He must be addictive to cutting up corpses and trying to reanimate the dead. Maybe this time he'll learn not to mess with mother nature. Most of the gooey stuff was edited from the U.S. version. British body builder and future Darth Vader David Prowse once again makes an appearance as "The Monster" (In here he looks like a big bulky hairy Neanderthal).

A mild mannered doctor is working in a mad house. He looks very familiar and he has a knack for sutures and plasma. A young doctor is soon taken under his wing and he learns the doctor's true identity. Will the new guy be able to keep the old doctor under wraps or will he be up to his old tricks once again? Terrance Fisher helmed this Hammer film for one of the last times. Fitting how Peter Cushing and himself ended their long run with Hammer Films. The series was clearly running out of gas and ideas. The series was finally put to bed for good. We'll never see a studio like Hammer or their sister company Shaw Brothers ever again. It's a shame as well for fans young and old.

Recommended for Hammer fans.

Acceptable Frankenstein entry with colorful photography ,thrilling as well as chilling musical score by James Bernard and Peter Cushing , as ever , does a top notch performance in the role which made him a terror movie legend , it still stands as one of the great screen acting . Last of the Terence Fisher/Frankenstein films , this one deals with the Baron hiding out in a psychiatric institution and he , then , joins forces with another scientist who becomes his assistant . The latter is a young doctor who helped by a mortuary attendant and Bodysnatcher (Patrick Troughton ) took corpses from graveyards until being detained , accused of sorcery and condemned . In the insane asylum resides hidden the notorious Doctor Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) who along with inmate Dr. Simon Helder (Shane Briant) , being attended by the dumb-mute Sarah (Madeline Smith , this character was first offered to Caroline Munro) carry out creepy experiments . Victor and Simon set about constructing a man using body parts they acquire for the purpose , including the brain of a prestigious scholar . Both of whom create a weird being and bring it to life . As his brain came from a genius and his body came from a killer and his soul came from hell . After successfully re-animating him , things go wrong . Frankenstein whose experimentation with creation of life becomes an obsession , but his creature behaves not as he intended .

The classic actor of horror movies named Peter Cushing is terrific as Frankenstein , giving a portentous performance , as always . Atmospheric , slick terror film , creaky at times but it's still impressive . This exciting film packs thrills , chills , eerie events and lots of gore and guts . In fact , real human blood was used in this film , blood that could no longer be used for transfusions was sourced from the blood bank and used in the film, including in the notorious scene where Victor Frankenstein uses his teeth to clamp the artery of the monster . Intelligent and twisted screenplay has nice plot , including fine production design , enhancing its atmosphere thanks to its brilliant color by expert cameraman Brian Probyn . The script by Anthony Hinds or John Elder was revised several times to avoid repeating any elements from the Universal Frankenstein series , as part of this effort, new monster make-up had to be devised especially for this film . After the successful Universal Pictures as ¨House of Frankestein¨, ¨Bride of Frankestein¨ , ¨Son of Frankestein¨, ¨Frankestein meet the wolf man¨ and ¨ The Zingara and the monsters¨ , Frankestein personage was left until Hammer Productions took him and produced ¨The curse of Frankenstein¨ ; although Universal threatened a lawsuit if Hammer copied any elements from the classic version . Followed by six sequels as ¨Revenge of Frankestein¨ by Fisher , ¨Evil of Frankestein¨ by Freddie Francis , Frankestein created woman¨ by Fisher , ¨Frankestein must be destroyed¨ by Fisher , ¨The horror of Frankestein¨ by Jimmy Sangster and this ¨Frankestein and the monster from hell¨ by Fisher ; all of them starred by Peter Cushing and one by Ralph Bates , besides similar artistic and technician team as the cameraman Jack Asher , Production designer Bernad Robinson , musician James Bernard and make-up by Philip Leaky .

This ¨Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell¨ results to be the last of Hammer's Frankenstein movies , being compellingly directed by Terence Fisher , though inferior to previous installments . This was the final film directed by Terence Fisher before his death on June 18, 1980 at the age of 76 . It was also the 29th and final Hammer film that he directed . The first was ¨The last page¨ (1952), he subsequently shot classic horror films as ¨Dracula¨, ¨Dracula , prince of darkness¨ , ¨The brides of Dracula¨ , ¨The mummy¨ , ¨Phantom of opera¨, ¨The Gorgon¨ , ¨The devil rides out¨ and many others . Rating : Passable terror film , 6/10 ; essential and indispensable watching for Peter Cushing fans .