Rating: 
Summary: A masterpiece of horror
Review: This and Bride of Frankenstien together are by far the best version of the story of all time. Show me another frankenstien movie that has more balls than these do.
Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite frankenstein movie.
Review: A mad doctor puts some electricity on a monster. If you like scary movies, this movie is for you. I am going to buy this movie because I liked it so much. My favorite line is when Dr. Frankenstein says, "It's alive. It's alive." I liked the monster because he looked bad. Ian Grant Thompson age 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb quality, but disappointing extras.
Review: Give this DVD five stars for sparkling audio and video quality, though the commentary is a bit dry and somewhat tedious (Behlmer actually reads paragraph after paragraph from the Shelley book)and the documentary seems slanted toward those who know little about the film's history. Best comments are from Paul Jensen and Gregory Mank.
Rating:
Summary: You must buy this DVD!
Review: First, a little background. This was the first DVD title I purchased, following on the heels of a full home entertainment center. Imagine my surprise when the picture practically jumped off the screen. It has to be the sharpest B&W film I have ever seen, even in the theatre. The soundtrack was outstanding; clear and free of hiss. As for the movie itself, it's a classic in the truest sense. Buy all of the DVDs in the classic horror series, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: It's Alive! It's Alive!
Review: At last! Isn't this what we all investment into DVD for? (or at least it is for me) Digging deep into their vaults (sic) Universal Studios have packaged the first in a promised series of Classic Monster flicks with suitable aplomb and style. This is the real classic of silver screen horror films and spawned a series of sequels which still reverberates today. Not only do we get the best possible print of the movie, uncut - yes the complete print including the full lakeside scene - but it is crowned with a host of extras which make full use of DVD. Not only is there an excellent audio commentary, but we are also given a tremendous behind the scenes look at the treatment of Mary Shelley's monster by Universal (crammed full of tantalising trailer snips from all the Universal canon). If you have a DVD player with Region 1 capabilities then you owe it to yourself to invest in this beauty.Classic monster tales don't rate any higher than Frankenstein. It really is the grand-daddy of all subsequent monster movies and Universal's classic is arguably the first real sound horror film. The film kicks off with an historic pre-credit sequence by Edward van Sloan, who warns the cinema audience of the 30's about the terror to come. The script, as adapted by John Balderston, bears little real resemblance to Mary Shelley's book (taken really from Peggy Webling's stage adaptation) and is really responsible for beginning the confusion over the identity of Frankenstein. (As we all now know the creator of the monster was named Frankenstein and not the creature he manufactured.) In putting together the story line, Whale drew on previous European cinematic monster incarnations (Der Golem/Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) for a visual style which became a classic to be imitated for decades. In establishing his players, he drew up the blueprint for all subsequent horror films (the crazed scientist/the hunchback assistant/the fire brandishing peasants/etc.) and cast wisely for his star players. It is common knowledge that the first studio choice for the role of the monster was to have been Bela Lugosi (hot on the heels from starring in Dracula), but through a quirk of fate, the role was offered to Boris Karloff (who was then a veteran of nearly 80 films!). The performance by Karloff must rank as one of the greatest cinematic creations (of any movie). It is both frightening and sympathetic at the same time (in my estimation his nearest rival would be King Kong). In the incredible Jack Pierce make-up the image of Karloff as the monster is indelibly etched into 20th century cinema as a true icon. On DVD the film looks its best yet for home cinema consumption. Inevitably the wrinkles of age are all too apparent. The film has not received the full restoration treatment that others have been honoured to from the video archives, but warts and all can do little to hold back to power of some of these images. The black and white photography is for the most part pure and the scratches, tears and dust specs don't detract too much from your viewing enjoyment. The audio quality is surprisingly clean and has thankfully been left in its original mono. For DVD and horror fans alike it is the extras which push this disc up into the "must have at all costs" category. First off, Rudy Behlmer's audio commentary is great. Highly informative and interesting. This is a model of how audio commentary should work - an enthusiast passing over his love of a film to other fans. David J. Skal's original documentary "The Frankenstein Files" is a 45 minute featurette covering the lead up to Whale's movie and the subsequent development by Universal is keeping the monster alive and kicking. There is a real find from the archives in the Universal short, "Boo!" - a parody of the genre using footage from Nosferatu as well as Frankenstein. The "Frankenstein Archives" represent the best I have seen on any disc. Not only does it offer posters from across the world, but there is a plethora of movie stills presented in sequence with accompanying dialogue lifted from the soundtrack. It is a great way to trawl through these scenes and should be taken up by other distributors. Even the bog standard menu screens are given the full works with music and it is all rounded off with the re-release trailer and Web Links. This is now my top DVD. All in all this DVD must rank as my own personal top release of 1999. The film is a true classic. The presentation is all DVD should be with great back-up archival material. If you love the movies and cinema there can be no better way to show that appreciation than by getting your hands on this real gem right away. There are more promised (Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, etc.) - I, for one, can hardly wait.
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Summary: THE MOVIE THAT STARTED IT ALL
Review: Director James Whale's classic thriller opened the floodgates for a new genre-horror. In 1931, this film packed quite a wallop. Though it has lost its power to horrify,"Frankenstien" survives as a beatufilly crafted, elegant film that put's most modern horror film's to shame. Boris Karloff's performance as the Monster is among the greatest performances in screen history. Colin Clive is also perfect as the nerve frayed Henry Frankenstien, the monster maker. The direction, sets and photography still hold up after all of these years. The new DVD edition is well worth latching onto; the film has never looked better, and the documentary by David Skal is worth the price of the DVD alone. A great film, and a must have for any serious film collector.
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Summary: Finally, "it's alive" on DVD !!
Review: I don't know what I could possibly add to all of the previous glowing reviews other than my patience for this release has paid off! I can only hope Universal home video goes forward in releasing the other classic monsters with such a definitive respectful treatment.
Rating:
Summary: Whale and Karloff: Perfect Together!
Review: Nowhere close to Shelley's novel but it makes no difference! Eerie, eccentric and atmospheric, this classic offers nothing but top drawer! Whale's vision is impeccable; sets are moody and gripping, but it is Karloff who mesmerizes with a performance that is a work of art in a role that allows no dialogue but punishing make-up and costuming. Even the distinguished DeNiro didn't come close to the pathos, confusion, sadness and panic of Boris Karloff's elegant and ageless performance. It gets better and better with each viewing.
Rating: 
Summary: More than I expected.
Review: Surprisingly enough, I had never seen this movie to its entirety. I remember one time watching it on network tv and it was ugly and the sound was blotchy. So imagine my suprise when I found the DVD clear and beautiful. I was very pleased with the DVD! They did a good job at cleaning up the video and audio. I especially loved the "Special Features" that are the hallmark of DVDs. I would suggest this DVD to any audiophile!
Rating:
Summary: Classic Film, but commentary is disappointing
Review: 5 stars just because it's worth having this classic on disc. But this great film deserves a better treatment than this DVD release. The accompanying audio comentary is pointless...it dwells more on cast biographies, literary history and trite observations, rather than discussing the movie we're watching, and the fine little touches that make it a classic. From Whale's comic touches like the pathetic Fritz with his foot-high walking stick pausing on the steps to pull up his socks, to the "Caligari"-inspired sets and the poorly-painted sky backdrop, there is plenty of interesting material on the screen on which to comment.
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