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> The Bride of Frankenstein (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection) |
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see larger picture
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Staring:
Boris Karloff,
Elsa Lanchester,
Colin Clive,
Valerie Hobson,
Ernest Thesiger
Director:
James Whale
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $8.32
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal Studios
EAN: 9780783235028
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
ISBN: 078323502X
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 1999-10-19
Running Time: 75
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 1935-04-22 |
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Description
One of the most popular horror classics of all time and an acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen's most understood monster who now longs for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-faed bride (Elsa Lanchester). Directed by the original's James Whale (hislast horror film) and featuring a haunting musical score, The Bride of Frankenstein ranks as one of the finest films not only of the genre, but for all time.
Amazon.com
It appeared, at the end of the epochal 1931 horror movie Frankenstein, that the monster had perished in a burning windmill. But that was before the runaway success of the movie dictated a sequel. In Bride of Frankenstein, we see that the monster (once again played by Boris Karloff) survived the conflagration, as did his half-mad creator (Colin Clive). This remarkable sequel, universally considered superior to the original, reunites other key players from the first film: director James Whale (whose life would later be chronicled in Gods and Monsters) and, of course, the inimitable Dwight Frye, as Frankenstein's bent-over assistant. Whale brought campy humor to the project, yet Bride is also somehow haunting, due in part to Karloff's nuanced performance. The monster, on the loose in the European countryside, learns to talk, and his encounter with a blind hermit is both comic and touching. (The episode was later spoofed in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein.) A prologue depicts the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, being urged to produce a sequel by her husband Percy and Lord Byron. She's played by Elsa Lanchester, who reappears in the climactic scene as the man-made bride of the monster. Her lightning-bolt hair and reptilian movements put her into the horror-movie pantheon, despite being onscreen for only a few moments. But in many ways the film is stolen by Ernest Thesiger, as the fey Dr. Pretorious, who toasts the darker possibilities of science: "To a new world of gods and monsters!" Absolutely. --Robert Horton
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Tops the original Frankenstein film! (details), 2010-05-01
1935, 75 minutes, black-and-white, directed by James Whale.
Universal Pictures incorporated certain unique and subtle caveats into this masterpiece of classic horror which anchors this film as one of the icons of the genre, but first, the story:
The villagers believe that the Frankenstein Monster (Boris Karloff) has been killed in a fire at the old windmill. It also appears that Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), the Monster's creator, has been killed during the conflagration and he is carried back to his estate mansion. The local Burgomaster (E.E. Clive) shoos everyone home following the incident but one old woman named Minnie (Una O'Connor), who is a servant in the Frankenstein household, discovers that the Monster is on the loose again! She warns the citizenry but the Burgomaster pooh-poohs her assertions.
As it turns out, Dr. Frankenstein survives and he is soon prevailed upon by Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger, perfect casting!) to collaborate in a continuation of the grotesque human creation experiments. Dr. Frankenstein initially refuses but Dr. Pretorius gets the Monster to do his bidding (hinging upon the promise of a mate!) and Dr. Frankenstein's new bride is subsequently kidnapped. Faced with the extortion, Dr. Frankenstein caves in to Dr. Pretorius' demands.
More locals are murdered for their body parts (unbeknownst to the now-sympathetic Dr. Frankenstein) and a bride for the heinous Monster is created... but, of course, things don't go as planned by the evil Dr. Pretorius.
The special effects in this one are marvellous. Dr. Pretorius' miniature human creations manifest one of the more endearing qualities of the film. These various special effects represent the fruits of the efforts of David S. Horsley, Ken Strickfaden, John P. Fulton, Charles Baker (miniatures), Jack Cosgrove, David S. Horsley (optical effects), and Russell Lawson. Also, Una O'Connor's performance is priceless as the half-crazed old maid and provides some mild comedy relief.
I don't own this precise DVD but there is much talk of it's poor visual quality so I highly recommend that you acquire this film along with other great associated movies in the following set: Frankenstein - The Legacy Collection (Frankenstein / The Bride of / Son of / The Ghost of / House of).
Highly recommended!
The Bride of Frankenstein, 2010-05-26
The Bride of Frankenstein is still relevant after all these years as is the original Frankenstein, It is sad and intelligent and A Classic.
Bride of Frankenstein, 2009-11-30
This classic is another must for your collection if you collect classic horror movies. Good clear picture and excellent sound track.
Classic not to overlook, 2010-07-29
This is a fabulous picture. It is better than the original Frankenstein. The extras are well worth watching, so don't skip them. Spoiler: Elsa Lanchester plays the parts of both Mary Shelley and the bride, but you might not know it unless you are told.
Here Comes The Bride! Run!, 2010-01-10
There's plenty of background and film historical knowledge back of this film. You won't find that here!
Elsa Lanchester in the company of a couple of hot shot 19th century poets on a dark and stormy night, discuss Frankenstein's monster. She revels them with more of the story as they thought it was over. No way!
Several scenes work for me. Use of dark and light shadows as in German expressionism. The sympathetic monster. And the introduction of a new member of the cast: Dr. Pratoreus. Apparently a professor of Dr. Frankenstein and who was later "booted out", Pratoreus wants to show the good doctor what he's accomplished and wants him to cooperate with him and pool their resources to make a woman.
And what a woman, but I digress!
Pratoreus' tiny people in jars including a cool mermaid. Great effects and I still have no idea how they did that. Perhaps through separate filming and super-imposition?
Meantime the Monster lives. He approaches people in a friendly manner and they scream at him, shoot him, hit him, and throw fire at him. The guy just can't win!
Eventually the townsfolk lock him up in chains. Even the burgermeister is not convinced he's a monster, just some crazy person. However the monster breaks the chains and runs amok. Hell breaks loose.
The rest of the film deals with the Monster and builds sympathy for him. The blind man scene is especially touching. Great parody of that scene with Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. John Carradine plays a small part in interrupting the monster's pleasure with the blind man. What a party crasher!
Meantime, Pratoreus now controls the monster and with promises of female companionship, the monster follows his bidding. Frankenstein meantime wants nothing to do with further experiments. Forcing him through betrayal and death is a sure deterrent however and changes his mind big time.
Soon, the unveiling, but the reception for the bride is not to be, I'm afraid.
James Whale's best production yet of the Frankenstein monster. Having as complete control as an independent film maker would have today, his vision was perfect. The perfect monster movie.
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