Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [1994]

Amazon.co.uk Review

Let's be honest: this should be titled Wretched Excess' Frankenstein. Swooping, wild, bloody, and energetic, this is bad moviemaking from the best, which makes it all the more loveable. Kenneth Branagh plays Victor Frankenstein, a man so obsessed with conquering death that he decides to create life. What he gets, after a protoplasmic mud wrestle, is a Mean Streets monster (Robert De Niro) that isn't particularly happy to be back from the dead or thrilled about all the stitches. Helena Bonham Carter may, at several points in this film, actually be channelling Ramtha. The supporting cast couldn't be peopled with better performers (Tom Hulce, John Cleese, Ian Holm) but they all look like they're ringside at some Ultimate Fighting competition. A must for any midnight movie collector for the shock factor alone. A hoot. --Keith Simanton

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

A brilliant film
A sombre and thoughtful adaptation
Chilling horror
It's Aliiiiive!
De Niro horribly mis-cast

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Alfred Bell , Helena Bonham Carter , Richard Briers , Richard Clifford , and Robert De Niro
Manufacturer: Columbia TriStar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0767811097
Release Date: 1998-07-29

Amazon.co.uk Review

Customer Reviews:

A brilliant film.......2007-10-26

If you have recently seen the BBC's poor attempt to modernise this classic then you simply have to see this...or even better read the book.

PS: Wyne Redheart definately needs to read the book as "the Creature" or "Frankinstein's Monster" is never called "Frankinstein" in it. Frankinstein always refers to Doctor Victor Frankinstein, pillock.

A sombre and thoughtful adaptation.......2007-08-24

Having studied Mary Shelley's book quite closely at university, I was interested what Kenneth Branagh (of Shakespeare renown) would make of the material.
The result is a brooding film that focuses heavily on the act of creating the monster and birth in general, but plays down the violent and horror elements of the story (only towards the end do they burst to the fore). It is therefore all the more surprising and out of key when Frankenstein's bride immolates herself and we are shown extended footage of a blazing inferno.
Branagh has changed the novel quite heavily in parts, but this is not to the detriment of the film or his message. Quite on the contrary, they underline just how unhealthy and abnormal relationships and birth are in the world of Frankenstein. The setting is stark and bleak, except where scientific apparatuses are involved and the acting good (although I just couldn't get myself to like Helena Bonham-Carter).
All in all a multi-faceted and multi-layered film that rewards further exploration either alone or in combination with the novel.

Oh, and just for the records, Frankenstein (or more properly: Victor Frankenstein) is the name of the monster's creator; the monster itself does not have a name.

Chilling horror.......2007-07-29

This is a particularly dark adaptation of the Frankenstein story, with a chillingly gothic sense of atmosphere. Branagh also succeeds in bringing a Shakesperian level of tragedy to the drama, rather than falling into the trap of focusing too exclusively on the macabre. De Niro makes a particularly fine re-animated creature, offering a suitable sense of pathos and frustratation at the lack of acceptance which ultimately provokes furious belligerence. His monster is one to be pitied as much as feared. The performance is far superior to Luke Goss' effort in the more recent adaptation (although it's hardly surprising that the veteran actor has rather more to offer than a man whose greatest achievement is former-membership of the band 'Bros'). Branagh takes us back to the gritty roots of Mary Shelley's literary classic. His obvious in-depth knowledge of the story lends a real air of authenticity, with none of the external clichés that are so frequently tagged-on by those who are blissfully ignorant towards the original text. His only glaring error comes in the reference to the monster's creator as 'Frankenstein'. As everyone knows, Frankenstein is the monster's name.

It's Aliiiiive!.......2005-09-18

Sorry I couldn't resist! I have got to say I loved this film. I was really worried about De Niro playing the infamous creature Frankenstein but he played him amazingly. I've never seen frankenstein portrayed as a confused new being. Usually he's a rampaging, bolt-necked monster being pursued by villagers with pitchforks and torches. It is atrocious that the Frankenstein legend has become such a cliche. Thankfully this film brings it back to earth even though it is a VERY gothic horror! That's enough from me, just buy it and find out for yourselves!

De Niro horribly mis-cast.......2005-07-17

no matter how good an actor De Niro is, even he can't pull this one off..

like it or not, after dozens of new york gangster movies de niro has effectively type-cast himself. and if he isnt playing psychotic characters, he is playing comedy ones where the laughs arise because his real psycho self is bubbling quietly under the surface waiting to spring out on innocent passers by

de niro doesnt have the vocal or physical range here to distance himself from past performances. throughout this movie you are expecting frankenstein to pull out a gun, or come out with some amusing one liner. a wink, the de niro trade-mark smile. i really found myself hoping that it was going to happen, it would have been a better outcome. good one bob, you really had me going there...

unfortunately though 5 foot nothing new york bad ass de niro really was cast as frankenstein

Average customer rating:
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Robert De Niro
Manufacturer: Rocketbook/Global Marketing
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AM4PAO
Release Date: 2005-08-02

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