Why this one has received the much maligned reviews it has is beyond me. This is easily the best that Hammer has ever had to offer in the "Frankenstein Monster" genre.
First off, this movie has been rated "R", but there are no displays of nudity (much to my dismay). There are some sexually oriented scenes though, and some wonderful cleavage of the "wenchful" Miss Kate O'Mara. I provide these facts merely for those of you interested in early 70s Hammer "norms".
The film's opening credits with a vivisection of a woman's print sets the tone for what's to follow. Our young Frankenstein (if you'll pardon that one) is the most vile and villainous iteration of the good Baron that I've ever witnessed on the screen (and yes, that includes any that Cushing had done prior). Young Bates is the epitome of evil, which is witnessed from his beginnings as a student when he kills off his dad (The Baron). His depraved behaviour is what carries this film through to its ultimate end (and the monster be damned). In fact, the good Doctor winds up killing off more people (in the end) than the monster could ever hope to.
This film has many great characters. A greedy graverobber, some lovely lady love interests and an assistant that is the antithesis of Fritz from the original Universal outing.
One giveaway to a quote in the film: The Dean in the University that young Frankenstein is attending calls him into his office. He then exclaims his young daughter to be pregnant (which was the young Baron/student's obvious doing). His reply? "Congratulations". As you can see, this film is not without humour.
This film is my second favorite Hammer film of all time (after "Curse of the Werewolf"), but it is unfairly maligned in its IMDb rating. Pay no attention to this as it is unwarranted. Watch this fantastic film at all costs (which was $10.49 at the IMDb owner's site).
First off, this movie has been rated "R", but there are no displays of nudity (much to my dismay). There are some sexually oriented scenes though, and some wonderful cleavage of the "wenchful" Miss Kate O'Mara. I provide these facts merely for those of you interested in early 70s Hammer "norms".
The film's opening credits with a vivisection of a woman's print sets the tone for what's to follow. Our young Frankenstein (if you'll pardon that one) is the most vile and villainous iteration of the good Baron that I've ever witnessed on the screen (and yes, that includes any that Cushing had done prior). Young Bates is the epitome of evil, which is witnessed from his beginnings as a student when he kills off his dad (The Baron). His depraved behaviour is what carries this film through to its ultimate end (and the monster be damned). In fact, the good Doctor winds up killing off more people (in the end) than the monster could ever hope to.
This film has many great characters. A greedy graverobber, some lovely lady love interests and an assistant that is the antithesis of Fritz from the original Universal outing.
One giveaway to a quote in the film: The Dean in the University that young Frankenstein is attending calls him into his office. He then exclaims his young daughter to be pregnant (which was the young Baron/student's obvious doing). His reply? "Congratulations". As you can see, this film is not without humour.
This film is my second favorite Hammer film of all time (after "Curse of the Werewolf"), but it is unfairly maligned in its IMDb rating. Pay no attention to this as it is unwarranted. Watch this fantastic film at all costs (which was $10.49 at the IMDb owner's site).