Main Cast: Peter Cushing, Francis Matthews, Eunice Gayson, Michael Gwynn
Release Year: 1958
Country: UK
Run Time: 89 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
He may be calling himself "Dr. Stein," but the audience isn't fooled: that popular general practitioner (Peter Cushing) in the mittel-European village of Carlsbruck is none other than our old friend, Victor Frankenstein. No one seems unduly concerned when the patients in a charity clinic begin losing their arms and legs during Dr. Stein's emergency operations -- no one except his young rival, Dr. Kleve (Kerwin Mathews). Threatening to expose Dr. Stein as the fugitive from justice he really is, Kleve is instead persuaded to be Stein's partner. Things really begin heating up when Stine and Kleve use the brain of vengeful village hunchback Karl (Oscar Quitak) for their new synthetic monster. Adding to the climactic melee is another monster, built in the image of Dr. Frankenstein himself! Full of clever (if gory) touches, Revenge of Frankenstein is among the best of Hammer Studio's late-1950s output. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Considered by some to be the best Frankenstein film, The Revenge of Frankenstein will nevertheless be a disappointment to those for whom the name is synonymous with the monster rather than the doctor who created it. Those who are not in tune with Hammer Studios' somewhat gory take on the horror genre may also have some problems with Revenge. And, as is often the case with horror films, there are some moments in the screenplay that strain credulity or come across as overly manipulative. Those caveats aside, there's a great deal to praise in Revenge, starting with Peter Cushing's masterful take on the title character. Cushing captures all the contradictory facets of the character, managing to be both subtle and over the top and remaining believable at both extremes. His Frankenstein is both diabolical and tender; he reconciles the disdain and contempt he feels for the elite and the indifference he feels for the poor who are mere suppliers of body parts with the genuine feeling of concern he displays for members of his inner circle. Cushing gets grand support from Michael Gwynn's sympathetic monster and Francis Matthews' intelligent comrade. Terence Fisher directs with a superb mixture of irony and manipulation; the ball scene in which Gwynn's cry for help exposes Frankenstein is a true gem. Jack Asher's lighting is sumptuously atmospheric, and the production design gives the impression of lushness, despite some obvious budgetary considerations. The Revenge of Frankenstein is not for all gothic horror fans, but many will find it one of the pinnacles of the genre. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Terence Fisher - Director, Alfred Cox - Editor, Leonard Salzedo - Composer (Music Score), Phil Leakey - Makeup, Bernard Robinson - Production Designer, Jack Asher - Cinematographer, Anthony Hinds - Producer, Jimmy Sangster - Screenwriter, H. Hurford Janes - Screenwriter
Baron Frankenstein (Cushing) evades the guillotine with the help of a dwarf (Quitak) and sets himself up as a physician in Germany, under the new name of "Dr. Stein". Another young doctor in the town (Matthews) discovers his identity, and blackmails Frankenstein into allowing him to become his assistant. Together they continue with the Baron's experiments in life, providing a new body (Gwynn) for the deformed dwarf (Quitak).
The film was shot at Bray Studios, back-to-back with Dracula (1958), using the same sets. Thus, for example, Dracula's crypt became Frankenstein's surgery, and the castle exterior became the outside of the Baron's laboratory.
Two novelizations of the film were published: the first one by Jimmy Sangster in 1959, and the second by John Burke as part of his 1966 book The Hammer Horror Film Omnibus.
