La Revanche de Frankenstein

The second entry in the noble Frankenstein series produced by Hammer and – as always – a joy to watch. Largely thanks to the performance of Peter Cushing who became one with this protagonist for 6 entire movies. Cushing perfectly knows who to make the most out of his character. As a viewer, you don't know whether to have sympathy for him…or despise him. He's a dedicated and hardworking scientist, yet he's doesn't seem to care much about human emotions and he's ultimately cruel. The screenplay by Jimmy Sangster is well-written and rather original…the development of the ‘monster' is completely different than usual and the script contains a lot of twisted and sadistic humor. The Revenge of Frankenstein has two extraordinary good sequences. Namely the entire beginning in which the Baron is brought to the Guillotine, condemned for the crimes against humanity he did in the past (The Curse of Frankenstein – 1956). This entire opening to the movie is very atmospheric, morbid and the perfect launch for a decent horror movie. Secondly, there is the magnificent climax containing an experiment-gone-wrong that brutally interrupts a high society party. This particular scene is the start for a very suspenseful finale with a few shocking parts and a terrific end scene. Certainly a must for all Cushing-, Fisher- and Hammer-fans and a nice waste of time for everyone with a little sympathy towards the genre of horror. Recommended!

This is one of those horror films thats more thought provoking than scary and that was one of the best things about these films from Hammer studios. Story has Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) being saved at the guillotine and popping up in Carlsbruch as Dr. Stein. The other doctors in the area are always talking about this mysterious doctor and one young doctor named Hans Kleve (Francis Matthews) discovers who he really is and wants to help him in his future experiments. They take the brain out of a deformed dwarf named Karl and put it into a body that was built by Dr. Stein and the operation seems to go well. Karl is healing well and responding to everything okay but he doesn't want to be a medical spectacle for everyone to gawk at so he convinces a woman named Margaret (Eunice Gayson) who works there to loosen his straps and he climbs out the window. One of the side effects of the transplant is cannibalism and he has a hunger for flesh. Also, Karls brain is telling him he is deformed so the rest of his body begins to change! This is one of the few films that Cushing made for Hammer studios that didn't have Christopher Lee in the cast as well. The sets look great as they always do and it really captures the look of what this part of Europe must have looked like back then. The best thing about this film is the story. After they transfer the brain from one body to another the brain tells the new body its deformed and it reminded me that this aspect of the Frankenstein story was dwelled on only rarely. There is some horrifying moments during this film but its really a science fiction story with the emphasis on science. Great atmosphere and solid performances add to this overlooked Frankenstein entry. Also, veteran character actor Lionel Jeffries plays a grave digger! Well worth a look.

Baron Frankenstein narrowly escapes the guillotine and takes on the name Dr. Stein to continue his work creating a man piece by piece and part by part. Peter Cushing is flawless and excellent as ever. The coordination of action and creepy music makes this one of the very best Frankenstein flicks. Director Terence Fisher knows how to tangle your nerves even when you know what to expect. This is just one of the masterpieces from the Hammer Studios.

Also in the cast are Francis Matthews, Michael Gwynn, Lionel Jeffries and Eunice Gayson.

OK so maybe not. Even though this movie is called "The Revenge of Frankenstein" and the baron himself, who escaped the guillotine, also tells that he is planning on taking revenge, he never does so in this movie. Sloppy perhaps and also a missed opportunity. Nevertheless "The Revenge of Frankenstein" remains one of the best put together and most atmospheric Hammer movie. Esecially for late '50's standards, this movie is a surprising good and effective one that more than serves its purpose and has plenty enough to offer the viewer.

The story is well written and told, which is the main reason why this movie works out great. It also helps to make this movie one of the better ones out of the long line of Hammer Frankenstein movies. It's an interesting movie to watch with a great perfect horror atmosphere, all combined with the typical Hammer studio's style. The movie also features some morbid humor which suits the style of the movie even better and makes it an even more pleasant and entertaining one to watch.

Unlike other Frankenstein movies this movie relies on original and self developed and written elements. The Hammer studios throughout this way, practically recreated the entire character of baron Frankenstein, with its long line of Hammer Frankenstein movies. When I now think of baron Frankenstein, I automatically think of Peter Cushing portraying him, thanks to the Hammer movies.

The movie doesn't waste any time on things like character development, which is also the reason why the movie is only 89 minutes short. It makes the story flow well, without any drags or unnecessary moments but one of the consequences also is that some of the characters don't quite work out because of this, such as the Eunice Gayson character, who doesn't seem to serve a purpose in the movie. The movie also doesn't have enough emotional depth because of this. Even though the movie does some attempts to give the movie some depth, mainly in its sequences with the monster, the movie is too short and distant to really care about any of it. But at least they did a worthy attempt, which makes this movie an improvement over the first Hammer Frankenstein movie "The Curse of Frankenstein".

Peter Cushing is really great as the baron who has taken the name Dr. Stein, after escaping from the guillotine, to conceal his true identity. Cushing really seem at ease with his role and he draws all of the attention of the movie toward him. Unlike most other Frankenstein movies the Hammer Frankenstein movies aren't really about the creature but more about baron Frankenstein and his eternal morbid search for cheating the death and creating life. It's a good thing that this movie is about the baron and not really about the monster, for the actor who plays the monster in this movie (Michael Gwynn) is exactly convincing or a good enough actor. Further more the movie does feature some good British actors for the smaller parts of the movie, who all seem to fit their parts very well.

Through its atmosphere the movie does manages to create an overall overly present creepy atmosphere which does provide the movie with some good horror moments as well. Of course nothing too scary, since obviously all Hammer movies are obviously more entertaining than scary or serious. The movie also does feature some nice looking sets, costumes and effects which help to set up the mood.

A must-see for the Hammer fans, mainly thanks to its well written and told story.

8/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing), now just Victor Stein to hide from authorities after escaping the guillotine and killing a priest, cannot stop doing medical experiments, this time transferring a live brain to a corpse. But there's a side effect he may not like! T

his film features a "dull monster", says Howard Maxford, but I think he misses the point. You don't need a hulking, deformed creature to be a "monster" -- science gone wrong can be monstrous enough by itself. When Karl, the man with the transplanted brain, starts feeling the side effects he is every bit as creepy as Boris Karloff ever was.

Maybe not as good as its predecessor, but it starts with a bang and stays strong for its duration.