Review of The Horror of Frankenstein

This movie is pretty much a remake of the original Frankenstein story, only instead of the familiar Peter Cushing playing the role we get a young, suave Ralph Bates. And he does a fine job, he is a joy to watch, handsome and dashing on one hand, ruthless and evil on the other. David Prowse plays the Monster, he certainly has the build for it. And Veronica Carlson and Kate O'mara supply the Hammer glamour, wonderful! Although I would stop short of calling this a horror comedy there is an abundance of tongue in cheek humour, which works well, be it from Bates or Dennis Price as the local undertaker come grave robber. There is no nudity and not a great deal of gore (hence the current 12 rating here in the UK), but it has the usual Hammer brilliance, very colourful and great sets, Gothic horror is what they did best.This is best viewed as a film in its own right as opposed to part of the Hammer Frankenstein series.