FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL (1974) is
the last of the Hammer Frankenstein adaptations, and the studio went
all-out to give the series a worthy conclusion. They brought back the
Gentleman of Horror, Peter Cushing, as the demented scientist looking to
discover the mysteries of death. Joining Cushing is up-and-coming
British superstar Shane Bryant, best known for his title role in the BBC’s
1973 version of THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. Bryant also had key roles in
CAPTAIN KRONOS VAMPIRE HUNTER (1973), DEMONS OF THE MIND (1972), and
HAWK THE SLAYER (1980). You can see the beautiful Madeline Smith in THE
VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970), THEATRE OF BLOOD (1973), and SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY
NIGHT (1984). Darth Vader himself, David Prowse, played the hideous
title creation. Other fantastic film appearances from Prowse include THE
VAMPIRE CIRCUS (1972), HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970), and THE PEOPLE
THAT TIME FORGOT (1976). Look for appearances from Bernard Lee (of the
007 series), Patrick Troughton (of DR. WHO fame), and John Stratton
(from TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000). Paramount Home Video presents
FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL on DVD in widescreen for the very
first time. Unfortunately, this is the US theatrical print which is
missing several scenes excised of violence and gore.
Medical school graduate Simon Helder (Shane Briant)
discovers the notes of Victor Frankenstein and intends to carry on with
the work of the deceased Baron. Unfortunately, Simon’s work is
discovered by the authorities, who accuse him of witchery and send him
to an insane asylum, resided over by the lecherous director (John
Stratton). The asylum director also appears to be a paranoid
schizophrenic who orders his men to ‘welcome’ Simon into the mental
institution. After a torturous cleansing with a power hose, Shane is
rescued by Baron Frankenstein (also sentenced to the asylum years ago),
who has set himself up as the medical practitioner by black-mailing the
asylum director. Discovering that Shane has medical skills, The Baron
gives Shane the task of acting as the new medical practitioner for the
inmates, thus allowing the Baron more time for his experiments. As time
goes by, Shane builds a rapport with inmates/patients, and suspects that
the Baron is up to his old tricks. As he searches the institution, he
discovers a hulking brute (David Prowse) chained inside a cage. The
Baron reveals that he has brought this creature to life, with the
assistance of the beautiful mute inmate, Angel (Madeline Smith). The
Baron is unable to perform the surgery himself since the nerves of his
hands have been ruined by fire (as seen in FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE
DESTROYED). When the Baron discovers that Shane is a trained surgeon, he
recruits the young man to his cause. Shane and the Baron must remove the
brain of the homicidal creature and replace it with the calm,
calculating brain of a mathematician inmate. At first the operation is a
success, but science has a way or righting the wrongs performed by
mankind…
Though FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL is
looked down upon for its over-the-top gore and moments of black humor,
there is a lot to appreciate here, mainly the killer performances of
Peter Cushing and superb direction of Terence Fisher. The mentor/student
relationship between Peter Cushing and Shane Bryant is a major component
which drives the film. David Prowse looks nothing like his previous
outing as the monster, and gets to imbue his character with empathy and
pity, until things begin to unravel—then its classic monster on the
loose stuff for the finale, brilliantly staged by Fisher and
photographed by Brian Probyn. Its worth mentioning the scenes between
Cushing and John Stratton the sleazy asylum director, are another set of
circumstances which set up the plot. The interaction between these two
here are exemplary. Also, the inmates and even the asylum itself play a
key part in creating the doomy atmosphere and somber mood of the film.
FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL contains several bits of gore,
the likes of which have never been seen before in a Hammer movie,
including eyeballs in jars, skulls being cut open, brain removal, and
other surgical horrors. Though over-the-top for its time, the violence
takes a back seat to all that this film has to offer (acting, plot,
atmosphere, etc.).
Paramount presents FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER
FROM HELL in an anamorphically enhanced 1.85.1 widescreen version,
struck from a remastered original print. The glorious gothic
cinematography is perfectly displayed here, making one wonder why
cinematographer Brian Probyn did not win any awards for his handiwork.
The interior of the asylum is visually striking in its own right. Much
of FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL gets it power from the
cinematography, which is done justice by Paramount’s efforts. The
soundtrack to the film is Dolby Digital 2.0, and allows for James
Bernard’s score to take centerstage. The dialog is also crystal clear
allowing the fine actors to do their thing. FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER
FROM HELL features some chilling sound effects like voices echoing
through corridors, the cacking of the inmates, and sounds of thunder,
all of which add to the atmosphere. Paramount is not known for their
special features and true to form there is not much here, not even a
trailer. But they did go through the expense of bringing in two of the
surviving cast members for an audio commentary. Both David Prowse and
Madeline Smith rekindle the chemistry they shared on this and other
films. They are joined by Hammer historian Jonathan Walcott who together
with these two actors make for an entertaining and informative
commentary, with more than a few instances of levity.
FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL marked the
end of an era on several levels. It was Peter Cushing’s last outing as
the Baron, Terence Fisher’s last movie, and signaled the end of the
old Hammer regime. The folks at the then-fading Hammer Studios put
everything they had into this production, and there is plenty of it:
intelligent plotting, superb acting, brilliant cinematography, stylish
direction, realistic violence, and classic gothic atmosphere.
FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL is the swansong of British
Horror. And except for the lack of extras, Paramount’s treatment of
this cult classic is sheer royalty.
FRANKENSTEIN
AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL is available from DVDEmpire.com
