Synopsis
Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Colin CliveDr. Henry Frankenstein
- Mae ClarkeElizabeth
- John BolesVictor Moritz
- Boris KarloffThe Monster
- Edward Van SloanDr. Waldman
- Frederick KerrBaron Frankenstein
- Dwight FryeFritz
- Lionel BelmoreHerr Vogel, the Burgomaster
- Marilyn HarrisMaria
- Ted BillingsVillager (uncredited)
Recommendations
- 100
Chicago Reader
One of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time. - 100
Empire
Beautiful photography, a heartbreaking story, and iconic moments from beginning to end. Absolutely unmissable. - 100
Village Voice
The most influential horror film ever made, this stark and stylish work has a weird fairytale beauty. Boris Karloff gives one of the most indelible performances in American cinema as the monster, misjudged by the society that created him, at once terrifying and pathetic, a moving study of alienation and primitive anger. - 100
TV Guide Magazine
Nothing can detract from the power of the most influential monster movie ever made. - 88
ReelViews
As much as the later movies diluted the character of the Frankenstein creature, nothing could blunt the impact made by Karloff in the role of the most memorable movie monster of all time. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
James Whale has done a great job in his direction. This is not an easy thing to direct — just how far to go in playing upon an audience's credulity, it's sympathy, it's nerves. Whale seems to have gone far enough, but not too far. - 80
Time
Universal entrusted the direction of Frankenstein to James Whale. He did it in the Grand Guignol manner, with as many queer sounds, dark corners, false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted. - 80
Variety
Looks like a Dracula plus, touching a new peak in horror plays and handled in production with supreme craftsmanship.
