Frankenstein (1931)

      

I have finally got the first three movies of the Universal horror cycle that started the whole craze off. Frankenstein completed my collection, with the other two being The Mummy and Dracula. I think this film has the biggest reputation and is the one people most people associate with. I have to say, it wasn't really what I expected but I mean this positively, I thought it was going to be quite cheesy and stereotypical. But it contains really heavy morals and there's scenes where it completely shocks you. There is no taking sides either, you're on the side of the monster and the people at the same time.
      I will quickly summarise the movie for those who are unaware of it. It is basically an adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein". I'm not sure how true it stays to the book but it basically follows a scientist battling his creation. Henry Frankenstein, played by Colin Clive is due to be married to Elizabeth, but his work takes over his life and he locks himself in an abandoned watchtower assisted by Fritz, played by Dwight Frye who also played Renfield in Dracula. Frankenstein's work succeeds and he successfully gives birth to a monster he created using stitched body parts but the monster is uncontrollable. His friends and co-workers make Frankenstein see reason and returns to marry Elizabeth, but this is postponed as the monster escapes and reeks havoc among the town leaving a destructive path behind him, it ultimately ends with Frankenstein losing his creation in a terrifying fate.
      I think the acting in this movie is phenomenal, Colin Clive's depiction of Frankenstein stood out for me especially. He had to play two alternate versions of a character, one crazy and one sane, both highly believable and capturing. Also, when he's sane, he's one cool ass dude. Dwight Frye once again in a Universal horror movie had to play someone abnormal and he does it well but the fate of his character isn't of similar positivity. But I think the main reason people watch this movie is because of Boris Karloff's depiction of the monster, actually I think it's fair to say that he doesn't play the monster, he is the monster. He plays a monster that we feel sympathy for and is very childlike, his colossal statuary and presence completely engulfs you in the movie, you are excited for every second of his screen time. It makes me wonder, Bela Lugosi turned down the role of the monster, what would it have been like?
      I love the set design in this movie, the laboratory in which the monster is created is what you expect, all the bells and whistles are there, weird electrical devices and such. The town setting looks like a place I'd like to live, seriously, the architecture is awesome and everyone just looks happy. The makeup on the monster by Jack Pierce is amazing with all the stitch marks and bolts in the neck, it looks like it was made by a mad man. I think it will go down in movie history as one of the most recognizable faces. All in all, I would recommend the film to anyone who likes monsters, old movies, classics, Boris Karloff, horror, you get the picture. Its only 1 hr 7 mins.