Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell

I thoroughly enjoyed this final entry in the Hammer Studios Frankenstein series. The acting and film quality were good, especially Peter Cushing. His presence on screen makes all the difference when it comes to interest and appeal. The stylish Victorian Era costumes add to the imagination. Though the "monster" was not as appealing, it can be overlooked by the direction of Terence Fisher and the commanding lead of Peter Cushing. I have always enjoyed all of the Frankenstein films from Hammer, and this entry is no exception. The ending left me wanting more! I recommend it to all horror enthusiasts who love this style of horror and Peter Cushing!

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.

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 .

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.

Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell for me is one of the weaker films from the Hammer Frankenstein series- Horror's the weakest with Evil second weakest- but that is not meant to be disparaging, just that I preferred Curse, Revenge, Destroyed and Created Woman.

Unlike the previous films the low-budget unfortunately does show in the production values especially with the Monster and the brains. The costumes are very stylish and while the sets are claustrophobic considering the setting that was actually appropriate and there is still the Gothic touch. However the photography is not quite as tight this time round(it is brilliant though in the scene where the Monster digs up the graves through a lightning storm, which is one of Hammer's most Gothic scenes) and the Monster make-up/costume despite being intentionally hideous and somewhat the most monster-like also looks a little ridiculous. Cushing also inexplicably wears a wig that doesn't suit him, and even he thought so.

However Fisher's direction is as taut as ever, never diluting the atmosphere there is and the music score is appropriately eerie. The script has the odd bit of wit and is very literate, the odd tired spot on just a few occasions but that is all. The story returns to the Gothic roots of Hammer's 50s output, in a nostalgic and affectionate way without being outdated at all. It is compellingly told and while the goriest of the seven Frankenstein films it's not in a gratuitous or over-utilised way; it's also not just suspenseful and at times creepy but it is movingly melancholic too especially with the open ending. It also does a better job showing and exploring the relationship between a mute girl and the monster than in Evil of Frankenstein, there is a rape scene but off-screen and unlike that in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed it was handled with taste and served more of a point in the storytelling and interplay between Frankenstein and Helder is a delight.

The performances are uniformly great. Shane Briant gives a restrained performance while always engaging and Madeline Smith is really touching communicating with just her face, body language and eyes. John Stratton is wonderfully slimy and David Prowse acquits himself far better than he did in Horror of Frankenstein, here he is very formidable but I did find myself taking pity on the monster as well(none of which were apparent in his performance in Horror). The acting honours do go to Peter Cushing whose performance brims with authority and he's also quite moving, both from his appearance and that it was the last time he played the Doctor/Baron. Look out also for Bernard Lee and Patrick Troughton. All in all, a solid Hammer Frankenstein film and a very fitting end to the series and for Terence Fisher. From the title, you'd think it'd be cheesy and amateurish but it's anything but. 8/10 Bethany Cox