Frankenstein...

My time on Blogger is very limited. I may occasionally re post, but to any readers I will have 3 more majors posts including this one. So the name of our blog is Misunderstood Monster. Why not talk about one of the earliest monsters to grace the big screen. As I described described in previous posts about Mary Shelley's novel about Frankenstein. It was also known as the Modern Prometheus which was the title Shelley originally wrote. I'll try not to complain about the several inaccuracies that are created by Universal Studios and director James Whale. However for 1931, this is a monumental classic and breakthrough in the movie industry.

This movie was the first step into terrifying audiences. This movie represented the fears and multiple new ideas that most people thought was horrific and nonexistent. The theory and idea of a dead person being reanimated was very frightening at the time. Many audiences could not handle this idea, but Universal may have avoided more of culture shock when they didn't give the creature an ability to care and have emotions like Shelley intended. The monster in this film was given not a whole lot to work with. He is the embodiment of the Misunderstand Monster.

This movie starts off with Henry Frankenstein becoming obsessed with creating life. I think we all know the story. The names are all switched around because of the Shelley rights or something. I assume they knew this wasn't exactly true to the story. Frankenstein has a good friend named Victor and a love interest named Elizabeth. Henry also has what is now a stereotypical hunchback assistant. Fritz is the cause of unethical treatment of animals most likely. After the creature is created, Fritz decides to taunt it with a flaming torch. Not smart on Fritz's fault. There's also a pretty epic flaming windmill scene at the end. Very impressive move overall for 1931. We also got the lines "It's alive!" and one of the most recognizable Halloween costumes from this film as well. Very groundbreaking for an old-timey black and white 71 minute film. Not too mention launching Boris Karloff's career into eternal Hollywood and horror fame. He had worked in 40 previous features before landing this job.

Why is the monster the embodiment of a Misunderstood Monster. Well he roams around aimlessly throughout the entire movie. He's deathly afraid of fire. He didn't know that little girl wouldn't float. I mean how innocent can this guy be. Not to mention he was given a criminal brain to work with. Stupid Fritz. Everyone in town wanting to burn you and attack with those pesky pitchforks.

This is a very unique movie from unique time. Definitely dated, but who can complain? Some of my favorite movies from 10 years ago are dated now. If you never scene it's fascinating to see how this was the truly first major horror movie in comparison to Universal's Dracula that was released that same year. German Horror movies like Nosferatu may have been the first, but Universal made a name for themselves with their monster movies.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein...

Sophisticated horror? This should be interesting. I watched this movie twice in my life and still am unable to decide whether or not i absolutely hate this piece of garbage, or admire it for it's obvious and blatant over usage of symbolism. Let me give you some background info on this. Back in 1994 Kenneth Branagh decided to break away from his Shakespeare films and directed a true version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I say true version because the Universal Studios' versions and other interpretations are flagrantly flawed. The original written story dealt with much more terror as Victor creates a creature with feelings and thoughts. The creature seeks vengeance on Victor for making him a monster. This movie is exactly true to the story, but it is about as close as u can get.

This film is very strange. There is symbolism in every scene. For example, note the people who choose to wear red, notice all the crosses in scenes, the obvious light vs. dark rooms, and man vs. nature in Oh so many ways. Way to go Branagh... you paid attention in English class. In fact I had to watch this film in English class... Twice! That's most likely the only unique thing about this movie other than actually following the story line of Shelley's Frankenstein.

So what else is in this movie? Robert De Niro plays as the gruesomely disturbing creature. This isn't anything like the Boris Karloff monster at all. The whole creation seen looks gross and adds great shocking images. That's where this movie shines for sure. Branagh gives you what a reanimated man would really look like. You also have classic Branagh over-dramatization which I laugh at when he looks all psychotic. The third somewhat know actor is Adrian Quinn as the captain of the ship that finds Victor on an icecap hunting for the creature.

The plot is nearly ripped out of the pages of the book. A ship crew attempting to sail through the arctic discovers a weary Victor. Victor tells his story to the ship's captain while they are trapped in ice. Story picks up with the story of Victor's family and the death of his mother giving birth to his youngest brother. It shows how he developed a relationship with a girl named Elizabeth who was living with them. The story is much more intricate describing the relationships of Victor with his friend Henry, his father, the townspeople, and his professors. Victor attends school and becomes particular interested in a professor's experiment to create life. The dialogue with him is somewhat frightening when he sated he "was too close." to creating life. Victor's obsession makes him become a monster yadda yadda yadda. You already know he's going to succeed in his creation. A lot of the movie is simple and follows the creature as he befriends a family living in a cottage. The monster learns, thinks, and feels life just like humans. However, he cannot stand what he is and seeks vengeance on Victor. Then there is some fires and cool death scenes.

This movie hasn't stood the test of time, but definite an interesting watch for literary movie types. If you want to see what the real story of Frankenstein was go check it out. If not, i beg you to stay away from this. You will be unhappy and outraged thinking this was going to be profound film. Nope it's just impossible to take all of what Mary Shelley had to say about man and society being monsters and translate it to film. That's true for all movies though.

The Rotting Torso: Frankenstein's Monster

Keeping with the theme of not dead, but not really alive theme this week I have decided to invite Frankenstein's Monster to The Rotting Torso.

Q: You are living, but are you alive?
A: I believe that I am alive, because I can think and function just like a normal person.

Q: Your body is entirely made from the bodies of people that were once living, but have died. How does that make you feel?
A: The death of others means life for me. I am not proud that I am made of dead bodies, I realize I am a monster. However, I just want to be like everybody else, I want to be normal.

Q: Some people say that you are a crime against god and that you should be destroyed. What do you say in response to them?
A: I have a questions for them. What is normal and what is creation? I was created not the same way everyone else was, but I was given "life" none the less.

Q: Being the way you are, is it easy to meet people? Is there anyone important in your life? Do you think you'll get married one day?
A: I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me, I like ugly chicks. My companion must be the same species and have the same defects. I need her to be created. (Mary Shelly's Frankenstein)

Well you seem to be a very deep person/thing and you have alot going on inside your mind. Let this teach everyone a lesson you can never judge a book by its cover. Always get to know someone before making assumptions about them. I would like to thank our guest Frankenstein's Monster for joining us. Remember keep reading The Rotting Torso.