Main Cast: Sting, Jennifer Beals, Anthony Higgins, Clancy Brown, David Rappaport, Geraldine Page
Release Year: 1985
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
In this update of James Whale's classic The Bride of Frankenstein, pop star Sting furthers his burgeoning film career by portraying cinema's signature mad scientist. Disgusted by his dim-witted and ugly original creation (Clancy Brown), Dr. Frankenstein sets out to animate an improved version. Though lovely on the outside, Eva (Jennifer Beals) begins her new life as little more than an animal. With the help of his trusty housekeeper (Geraldine Page), however, Frankenstein soon grooms the beautiful zombie into a reasonable facsimile of an upper-class debutante. He's unprepared, however, when his ward displays a mind -- and sexual urges -- of her own. Meanwhile, the good doctor's discarded original creation assumes the name of Viktor and takes to the road. Befriended by an enterprising dwarf named Rinaldo (David Rappaport), Viktor becomes a circus performer but continues to pine after his bride. Connected to her psychically, he soon makes his way back to the scene of their mutual creation. There, he finds the girl embroiled in a love triangle between a callow suitor (Cary Elwes) and Frankenstein himself. In addition to its iconic '80s leads, The Bride boasts a famous supporting cast that includes gay memoirist Quentin Crisp and '60s model Veruschka. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Alexei Sayle - Magar; Phil Daniels - Bela; Veruschka - Countess; Quentin Crisp - Dr. Zahlus; Cary Elwes - Josef; Jack Birkett - Blind Man; Carl Chase - Circus Hand; Janine Duvitski - Serving Girl; Matthew Guinness - Patron; Anthony Haygarth - Tavern keeper; Guy Rolfe - Count; Gary Shail - Circus Hand; John Sharp - Bailiff; Timothy Spall - Paulus; Stromboli - Circus Performer; Gerry Crampton - Gentleman; Joel Baland - Circus Performer; Andy Barrett - Circus Ringmaster; Tony Brutus - Patron; Tod Cody - Circus Performer; Harold Coyne - Butler; Fenella Fletcher - Masked Lady; Karen Furness - Circus Performer; Miss Irta - Circus Performer; Joey Kaye - Groom; Gerard Naprous - Circus Performer; Sally Oultram - Circus Performer; Bernard Padden - Houseboy; Annie Roddam - Countess' Daughter; Jacqueline Russell - Circus Performer; Laurence Temple - Circus Performer; Vera de Vel - Circus Performer; Andrew dela Tour - Priest; Ellen Chenoweth; John Alexander - Circus Performer; Ken Campbell - Pedlar
Credit
Bryan Graves - Art Director, Damien Lanfranchi - Art Director, Lloyd Fonvielle - Associate Producer, Chris Kenny - Co-producer, Shirley Russell - Costume Designer, Franc Roddam - Director, Michael Ellis - Editor, Maurice Jarre - Composer (Music Score), Sarah Monzani - Makeup, Michael Seymour - Production Designer, Stephen H. Burum - Cinematographer, Victor Drai - Producer, Keith Addis - Producer, Tessa Davies - Set Designer, Jim Whiting - Set Designer, Gerry Crampton - Stunts, Lloyd Fonvielle - Screenwriter, Robin Clarke - Music Editor
The Bride is an adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, released in 1985 and directed by Franc Roddam. The film stars Sting as Baron Charles Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals as Eva, a woman he creates in the same fashion as his infamous monster. The Bride grossed $3,558,669.[1]
The film begins with Baron Charles Frankenstein, his monster (Clancy Brown), Dr. Zalhus (Quentin Crisp), and his assistant Paulus (Timothy Spall) creating a female mate named Eva for the monster. Eva is physically identical to a human and lacking the deformities of the monster. As such, she is revolted by the monster and rejects him. This causes the monster to fly into a rage and destroy Frankenstein's laboratory. Frankenstein, believing himself and Eva to be the only survivors, flees with her back to Castle Frankenstein. There he falls in love with her and pursues the goal of making her a perfect human mate.
The monster, having survived, wanders into the countryside where he befriends a dwarf, Rinaldo (David Rappaport). They become involved with a circus owner who eventually kills Rinaldo, causing the monster to sink into a state of deep sorrow and rage. He decides to return to Castle Frankenstein to retrieve his mate. At this time, Eva discovers that she shares a psychic link with the monster. She rejects the Baron as the monster is returning to the castle to rescue her. In the film's ending, the Baron falls to his death, and the monster and Eva reunite with each other and head off to Venice.
Frankstein's full name in the film is Baron Charles Frankenstein, unlike Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein or the classic Universal Studios movie's Henry Frankenstein.
The monster in the film is given a name, Viktor, while Shelley's monster was nameless.
