MovieChat Forums > The Horror of Frankenstein (1971) Discussion > Why Is This Movie Maligned So Much?

Why Is This Movie Maligned So Much?

posted 18 years ago by webfix
12 replies | jump to latest

I don't understand why this Frankenstein movie has been maligned so much. I thought it was very good. Despite Cushing's absence, it was still a throughly enjoyable - and grippingly DIFFERENT - yarn, Ralph Bates bringing his own kind of style to the role of Victor.

Along with the Cushing movies, I have added this to my collection, as I think it is well worth it!

Oh, and what can you say about the GORGEOUS Veronica Carlson, my favourite of all the Hammer girls!!

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[–] Woodyanders 18 years ago

I really enjoyed this film as well. I loved how much of a ruthless and decadent womanizing heel Victor Frankenstein was in the film. Ralph Bates was excellent in the lead. Dennis Price was likewise hilariously vile as a blithely disgusting graverobber. Moreover, both Kate O'Mara and Veronica Carlson were absolutely gorgeous.

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[–] LarrupinLou 16 years ago

I believe this was the first Hammer film that I ever saw (on WNEW in NY during the early '70s). I thought it was terrific as a kid and I still think it was good, though not the best Hammer Frankenstein movie, IMO.

As for Veronica Carlson, she was indeed gorgeous, but Kate O'Mara's cat-like eyes were extraordinary.

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] nickm2 16 years ago

"As for Veronica Carlson, she was indeed gorgeous, but Kate O'Mara's cat-like eyes were extraordinary."

Yeah O'Mara is a much HARDER Looking gal than Carlson(who struck me as too much of a goodie two shoes) but also her character had a certain air of 'sleaziness' about her---like she KNEW all she was good for was being a live 'inflatable sex toy' for the master of the house & she seemed content with that role until Veronica came into the picture;

All the film needed was a Redheaded Hammer Hottie in a bustier to make it the perfect teenager dream movie: A hot blond, a hot brunette & a redhead to top it off;

NM

[–] BuddyLove63 14 years ago

Watched it last night for the first time in ages. Not too bad, quite enjoyed it actually although I do think it seemed slower than most Hammers. Actually to me it didn't have the feel of a Hammer. The lack of standout colours and the cool lighting and shadows (always a hallmark of Hammer) kind of made this film look different.

Oh, and what can you say about the GORGEOUS Veronica Carlson, my favourite of all the Hammer girls!!

I agree. Truly gorgeous and my what hair!

[–] John-367 14 years ago

It's maligned because it is a feeble remake of Hammer's own Curse of Frankenstein minus most of the elements which made the original so effective. It has no style, no atmosphere, bland lighting, poor makeup and a lumbering monster which has neither the moving pathos of Karloff or the deliberately uncoordinated Lee. The added humour is juvenile.
There are some decent actors doing their best to retain their dignity against all the odds, Ralph Bates for example could be very effective given a better script and direction as Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde demonstrates, but all they can hope to manage here is damage limitation.

[–] andrewbanks 14 years ago

Why is this movie maligned so much? Because it's not very good.

A lot of the humour is adolescent, like the severed hand giving the two finger gesture.

And the film is oddly lacking in suspense for a Hammer film. The monster played here by Dave Prowse has none of the menace displayed by Christopher Lee in 'Curse of Frankenstein' or even Prowse himself in 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell'.

Veronica Carlson, as mentioned in previous posts, is indeed lovely, but here she has little to do other than look pretty. 'Frankenstein must be destroyed' is a much better vehicle for her acting skills. Ralph Bates is good actor as he demonstrated in his previous Hammer film, 'Taste the blood of Dracula', and does his best in the lead, but he is struggling with poor material, at least in my view.

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[–] Actorsactiondotorg 13 years ago

I like this Frankenstein movie - except for Prowse he looks ridiculous

[–] webfix 13 years ago

And wasn't Veronica Carlson - as always - gorgeous in it?

Pity she never made any more Hammer films.

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[–] hairybro2000 13 years ago

I saw it for the very first time today and liked it. Yes it was very different from the others and I did not find it all that comedic, which I was glad...The monster was much hulkier that any I have seen before.

And yes I agree, Veronica Carlson is absolutely stunning. I liked her in Dracula Has Risen From the Grave and Frankenstein Must Be Destoyed. I wish she had done more Hammer films as well.

[–] Xcalat3 13 years ago

I don't know either. I really Liked it.

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[–] ElectricWarlock 11 years ago

As with many other sequels, I think it's maligned just for daring to do something different than all the other Hammer Frankenstein movies. Horror fans have a habit of complaining about how they want originality and how many horror movies are just too predictable and don't take enough risks. Yet when they get original horror movies that are different they still complain because it was TOO different. So you're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't when it comes to making sequels to a beloved horror movie.

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[–] josephnatescott 10 years ago

Because people don't get the dry comedy, and out of misplaced loyalty to Cushing.