Frankenstein et le Monstre de l'enfer

I enjoyed watching this film very much, first off i am a Hammer Films fan of all of the horror creatures, not just Frankenstein, although it is my favorite creature. Peter Cushing was excellent in this one. David Prowse, aka Darth Vader did very well as the monster i thought. i love the idea of the film also,, a sanitarium, what a perfect place for the Baron to practice. Von Helder character was also very good, in fact probably stole the show for me. I also liked the character of Angel, and the Director as well, the film has it's funny moments as well, not to much that i didn't like about the film,, the brain transplant scene, well could have been better, and a few other scenes , but hey that's minor stuff, all in all i thought this was a great film to end the Hammer Films collection of Frankenstein, and i would recommend this to all horror fans,, and Peter Cushing fans also.

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 .

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' is an important Hammer movie for two reasons. First it was the last in the series which began back in 1957 with 'The Curse Of Frankenstein'. Secondly, it was the final movie for Terence Fisher, who directed all but two of the Hammer Frankenstein movies as well as other Hammer classics like 'Dracula: Prince Of Darkness' and 'The Devil Rides Out'. The previous entry in the series 'The Horror Of Frankenstein' had been a failed experiment. Fisher didn't direct it, Peter Cushing didn't play Frankenstein (Ralph Bates did), and it jumped the story all the way back to the beginning. So in watching 'Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell' we can just pretend it never happened. Shane Briant plays Simon Helder, a young doctor attempting to duplicate Frankenstein's experiments. He is charged with sorcery and is sentenced to an asylum by a judge who had previously done the same thing to the Baron himself. When Helder arrives at the asylum he is told by the director (John Stratton, who gives a wonderfully slimy performance!) that Frankenstein is dead, but Helder immediately suspects that "Dr Victor" (Peter Cushing) is in fact Frankenstein. Of course he is right and he soon becomes Frankenstein's assistant. Sarah, a beautiful mute girl known to the inmates as "Angel" (Madeline Smith) has been helping the Baron (who has injured hands), but she is just an amateur. Now that he has Helder he can continue with his life's work - creating another monster. Cushing plays an older and slightly nutty Frankenstein in this one, and Stratton is very good as his idealistic assistant. Madeline Smith is as beautiful as ever, but in case you're wondering, keeps her clothes on, so you'll just have to watch 'The Vampire Lovers' again, won't you. The supporting cast also includes Dr Who #2 Patrick Troughton and Bernard Lee (M from the Bond films). David "Darth Vader" Prowse once again plays the Monster, but unlike his silly one in 'Horror Of Frankenstein', this monster is very scary and repellent looking, being closer to a caveman than anything we've seen in the previous movies. It's an inspired touch and very effective. In fact the whole movie is inspired and could well be the best in the series in my opinion. While it's sad that it was Terence Fisher's epitaph at least he went out on a high note. I highly recommend '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!