Rating: 
Summary: The film that saved Hammer Studios
Review: I can recall being 10 years old and seeing Curse of Frankenstein on the big screen for the first time playing a double feature with Horror of Dracula. With all due respect to the 1931 James Whale version, this treatment of Shelly's novel (albeit freely adapted)ignited my passion in this genre still prevalent and near mania to this day. The superb acting talents of Peter Cushing (Victor Frankenstein) and Christopher Lee (the Creature),et al, beautiful photography and lavish sets (used multiple times in future creature features)left me wide eyed and thirsting for more. This DVD rekindled my affection for the classic works issued by Hammer Studios in the late 50's and early 60's. The rich colors (or should I say colours?), remastered photography, widescreen formatting, and make this DVD a must have for all horror film aficionados. I would suggest purchasing the DVDs now, lest they disappear as did the Universal Horror DVDs.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow, slow ........ very slow !
Review: I have never liked this extremely poor version of the 'Frankenstein' myth. Made by Hammer Films in 1957 this is such a watery story. The acting is great from all the cast particularly Cushing. For me though the story just fails completely. For one thing it takes a good 40 odd minutes to get going, with lots of thumb twiddling moments to endure. I know that people love a good story and well most horror movies from this era certainly have this (See Hammer's 1958 Dracula), but this lacks any sort of build up and when the Creature finally appears it is a complete let down (Looking like the result of a custard pie fight!), and for me the whole film is a really dull anti - climax. Much better and with a heck of a lot more atmosphere is Hammer's version of 'Dracula', which is spot on with suspense, story and genuine horror.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Classic
Review: I like Hammer Studios works from this time period. Although this version of Frankenstein deviates from the book (as most do so that doesn't bother me), the acting is wonderful and the production is handsome. Rather than drawing the parallel between chasing down the monster and the persecution of those who are different as did the novel and even the Universal movie version, the focus was more on the Doctor and the horror of his creation. Certainly worth a look for the acting of Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, et al. I liked it well enough to add it to my one personal collection horror films.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Hammer
Review: I will watch any movie with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is even better when that movie happens to be a horror classic. The Curse of Frankenstein happens to fall into that category. This is the movie that launched Hammer films association with the classic Universal monsters. Though at this time, they were not allowed to copy the monster look from the Universal film. They re-scripted the Frankenstein story so that more closely resembles the Mary Shelley novel. Cushing plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein with Lee cast as the monster. The movie has the trademark Hammer gothic look and was directed by Terrence Fisher.The picture quality of the DVD is superb. The picture is presented in widescreen format. The colors are bright with no signs of scratches or dirt as far as I could tell. You would never know this movie is over 45 years old. The sound is presented in its original mono track. Voices come through loud and clear. There are very few extras. There is a film trailer and a still gallery with film facts called "The Making of a Monster". It would be nice to have Lee record a commentary at some point. Hammer went on to produce 6 more Frankenstein films, with Peter Cushing in the title role of 5 of them. The Curse of Frankenstein should be the cornerstone of any good classic horror or Hammer DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Hammer
Review: I will watch any movie with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is even better when that movie happens to be a horror classic. The Curse of Frankenstein happens to fall into that category. This is the movie that launched Hammer films association with the classic Universal monsters. Though at this time, they were not allowed to copy the monster look from the Universal film. They re-scripted the Frankenstein story so that more closely resembles the Mary Shelley novel. Cushing plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein with Lee cast as the monster. The movie has the trademark Hammer gothic look and was directed by Terrence Fisher. The picture quality of the DVD is superb. The picture is presented in widescreen format. The colors are bright with no signs of scratches or dirt as far as I could tell. You would never know this movie is over 45 years old. The sound is presented in its original mono track. Voices come through loud and clear. There are very few extras. There is a film trailer and a still gallery with film facts called "The Making of a Monster". It would be nice to have Lee record a commentary at some point. Hammer went on to produce 6 more Frankenstein films, with Peter Cushing in the title role of 5 of them. The Curse of Frankenstein should be the cornerstone of any good classic horror or Hammer DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: This Curse is a Blessing
Review: I've got to thank Warner Bros. for finally coming out with "The Curse of Frankenstein" on DVD. And where as I was a bit suspect of the quality of the film element used for the "Horror of Dracula" DVD released on the same date as "Curse", I have no complaints at all about the quality of this film's presentation by Warner. It is beautiful. And apparently Warner used a very fine quality source print for this release. The colors are lovely, and the widescreen presentation is satisfying. As a great admirer of Hammer films, it is exciting to finally see this beautifully photographed film as it was seen on the big screen in 1958. The story is much closer to Mary Shelley's original novel, though the creature, here played by Christopher Lee, is much like the one portrayed by Karloff; large, horrifying to look at, and almost an "idiot" in intellectual capacity, but somehow tugging at our sympathies. But he is more frightening to behold in this film, with his ghastly white complexion, and bizarre, searching eyes. As the film progresses, he becomes even harder to behold as he is ravaged by the terrifying encounters that make up his sad, short existence. And Peter Cushing is astonishing in his portrayal of Baron Victor Frankenstein. He is a single-minded, driven scientist. Both brilliant intellectually, and uncompromising in vision. And yet, he is also not exactly evil, though his actions are, as is seen clearly by the murdering of his one-time lover and maid, Justine, as you see both determination and regret reflected in his expressions, while he listens to her screams. It's easy to see why, when viewing both "Horror of Dracula" and "Curse of Frankenstein", these two films made Cushing and Lee international stars and horror icons. Both films have come to represent all that made Hammer Sudios great in their glory days, with lavish period sets, beautiful color photography, and music scores that rivalled bigger budget Hollywood films. The DVD itself holds no extras of worthwhile mention. The facts presented in the small section called "The Making of a Monster" are nothing that any entry level Hammer film follower would not know already. It's a shame that Christopher Lee couldn't be encouraged into doing a commentary, or a short interview on the film's history and its influence on modern horror. That may not be Warner Bros. fault, as we all know, Lee has been very busy of late on the big screen, and keeps very busy off of screen. Both "Curse of Frankenstein" and "The Horror of Dracula" DVDs are a must for Hammer film lovers. Hopefully, if sales are good, Warner will release the other Hammer films they hold license to, such as "Taste the Blood of Dracula" and "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave".
Rating:
Summary: A Chilling Film.
Review: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this first Hammer Films Frankenstein film in which the Baron creates a monster from bodies and comitts murder to compete his insane experiments, Despite a friend's pleas, the monster and his creator head to a tragic climax that leaves the door open for sequals, and there were many in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Peter Cushing is electrifying, and the monster sympathetic.
Review: Peter Cushing creates an acting tour-de-force with the role of Victor Frankenstein here, playing him with absolute conviction and unflagging intensity, creating a much larger monster than anything stitched together in his character's laboratory. He's quite detestable, which is why I take off a star. Watching can be somewhat unpleasant, due to his character. Christopher Lee is good as the monster, but doesn't get enough chances to show off the creatures pathos, but he does wonders with what he's given. A very watchable Hammer film.
Rating:
Summary: Hammer Horror At Its Finest!!!
Review: Peter Cushing is at the top of his game in "The Curse Of Frankenstein", the very first Hammer horror picture! And certainly one of the two BEST -- right up there with "Horror Of Dracula", which was released a short time after "Curse", and also starring these two legends of the horror genre: Mr. Cushing and Christopher Lee. Lee speaks not a word in The Curse Of Frankenstein, but nonetheless makes a strong impact as the monster created by Cushing. A solid supporting cast is on hand here as well, along with good atmospheric sets. I believe this to be one of the truly greatest horror films ever produced! And it started the classic teaming of Lee and Cushing. This one's got a darn good closing shot, too -- as Cushing is sent off to face the ultimate punishment. For a fan of horror pictures, this one is 83 minutes of pure pleasure!
Rating:
Summary: Hammer Horror At Its Finest!!!
Review: Peter Cushing is at the top of his game in "The Curse Of Frankenstein", the very first Hammer horror picture! And certainly one of the two BEST -- right up there with "Horror Of Dracula", which was released a short time after "Curse", and also starring these two legends of the horror genre: Mr. Cushing and Christopher Lee. Lee speaks not a word in The Curse Of Frankenstein, but nonetheless makes a strong impact as the monster created by Cushing. A solid supporting cast is on hand here as well, along with good atmospheric sets. I believe this to be one of the truly greatest horror films ever produced! And it started the classic teaming of Lee and Cushing. This one's got a darn good closing shot, too -- as Cushing is sent off to face the ultimate punishment. For a fan of horror pictures, this one is 83 minutes of pure pleasure!
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