Rating: 
Summary: The Best Frankenstein film
Review: Peter Cushing stars as the well-known Baron Victor Von Frankenstein in this great retelling of Mary Shelly's story about a scientist on a quest to revive the dead. Good plot and well rounded acting is prominent throughout the hole film. It is one of the few old horror films I actually enjoyed really watching, and Peter Cushing makes the experience very enjoyable. Plus, it did have fairly good special effects for the time period.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Memory
Review: Previous reviewers have placed the film historically. This was the first horror film I saw in a theatre. I was 8 years old and it scared the holy bejabbers out of me. I couldn't watch scarey movies for a year. I subsequently became a horror movie fan, in part to overcome the fear this move generated in me. Curse of Frankenstein has always held a special memory for me. So, upon viewing again I am still amazed by the power of the unmasking scene. The jerky pan into the closeup of the monster had the audience screaming bloody murder. It still works. Yes, it is dated and, while bloody for the times, it is pale compared to the blood and guts that have followed in its wake. But, it is fast and entertaining, played straight by a great cast, and, as has been noted, began it all for Hammer. It also began it all for me in creating a love for horror films and later all types of film. The 5 stars are "thanks for the memory".
Rating: 
Summary: Essential DVD for Horror Fans.
Review: Shot in colour and released in 1957, "The Curse of Frankenstein" is, of course, the film that made Hammer Films a household name for horror/thriller movie fans all over the world. To fully appreciate the importance and impact of "Curse", you have to look at it in the context of the time when it was made. By the mid-fifties, horror films had long passed their peak in Hollywood--certainly in terms of quality. Black and white "quickies", with almost no budget, were being churned out for teenagers to watch at the drive-in ( at least, those who were watching the screen ! ) Shlock-masters like Roger Corman and Bert Gordon were turning out "masterpieces" like "The Wasp Woman" and "The Amazing Colossal Man".Suddenly, we have a small studio in England, making a horror film with excellent production values, gorgeously creepy sets, fine costumes, professional actors and a talented director, Terence Fisher. At the same time, along with a classy look, you add liberal amounts of gore ( certainly by 1950s standards ), and a couple of voluptuous "damsels in distress" who can scream lustily when they encounter the monster. It was a winning formula that Hammer would raise to an art form. Peter Cushing plays Baron Von Frankenstein, and his terrific performance dominates the film. His character goes through quite a transformation from curious scientist to an obsessive fiend, determined to "create life" at, literally, any cost. His mentor/friend Paul Krempe ( Robert Urquhart )is an enthusiastic assistant at first, but soon becomes alienated by the Baron's frantic and ultimately murderous behaviour. Sometimes body parts are easily available--sometimes you have to be "creative" in obtaining them ! Of course, this flesh and blood "jigsaw puzzle" comes to life in the form of a hideous, pathetic creature played by Christopher Lee, who soon breaks loose, displaying no appreciation whatsoever for being "born" ! As I mentioned earlier, two beautiful women "round out" the cast. Gorgeous Hazel Court is Elizabeth, the Baron's betrothed, and Valerie Gaunt is Justine the maid. Justine is, as they say in England, the Baron's "bit on the side"--when she threatens to spill all the Baron's secrets unless he marries her, you just know that her future is "cloudy". "Curse" may not be Hammer's best film, but it put the studio on the map and started an enduring partnership of two very fine actors--Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. The DVD exhibits good colour, with occasional haziness and mono sound. The extras are sparse--a few notes on other Hammer films, and a trailer. I would have loved some comments from Mr. Lee--sadly Peter Cushing passed away some time ago. Still, if you like classic horror films, "Curse" has to be in your collection--its importance cannot be over-estimated. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Curse is Bloodcurdling Hammer(Not their first either!)
Review: Some people probably think this was Hammer's first production(WRONG!)Hammer was producing films long before this one, but this was the one that got them the attention they deserved. This was the one that blazed the trail to many other Hammer Horror Technicolor Terrors that would populate the big screen and video market to come. The lavish set design and period costumes are wonderful.Acting is nothing, but superb!There are some genuine chills in this one that the originals did not have. The scene where the good Dr. throws Professor Bernstein from the top of the stairs is horrific and is still hard to watch(he was, you know looking for the perfect brain!).One thing, though, and it is not intended to be disrespectful to Mr. Lee as it is probably not his fault. The monster is no Karloff, and Lee's monster staggers around much like Chaney, Lugosi, and Strange(you know of those old slick W.W. II Universal programmers).Make up is good,however, and gives the monster a new look that is a nice change of pace from the old square head & neck bolts! All-in-all, this is a fine Hammer production, but the sequel "REVENGE OF FRANKENSEIN" is superior(hmmm is this history repeating itself of a Frank sequel topping the original?)
Rating:
Summary: Hammer's Beginnings
Review: The classic Hammer Studio's first major foray into the horror genre remains one of its best. Long unavailable, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' features two great performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Cushing creates a sinister but understandable Doctor and Lee gives new dimension to (what had become) a tired role in the Universal canon. Lee today still has a tremendous mind and memory, and has been doing some of his best work (in the recent 'Lord of the Rings'). 'Curse' was followed soon after by 'Horror of Dracula' (now released simultaneously on DVD). For an introduction to Hammer's stylistics and genre makeover, you can't start much better than these two films. (Though do check out Anchor Bay's recent years' releases)
Rating: 
Summary: Creature Feature
Review: The Curse of Frankenstein could never rank as one of the best versions of Mary Shelley's novel. Even without the Karloff make-up it borrowed too much from the Universal classic, particularly emphasizing the monster's transplanted brain. Stitches were never seen on the critter until the Karloff version, and Hammer had the stitches too. Christopher Lee, who once referred to his character as a walking road accident, did less in the part than the young actor in I Was a Teenaged Frankenstein. There was no sense of pathos like in the Karloff version, or the wronged being of the novel. He killed just because that was part of the formula of creature features. The monster of the book was romantic, thoughtful, intellectual and more. He even had a sense of humor. When Victor Frankenstein tells him to remove his detested form from his eyes, he places his hands over the young scientist's eyes and says, "Thus I relieve thee my creator." All Hammer Studios had was all the guts we would have loved to have in our childhood Halloween houses, but we had to settle for grapes for eyeballs, and spaghetti for brains. The main value in this movie is the introduction of Peter Cushing as a horror actor and Terence Fisher as a horror director.
Rating:
Summary: Creature Feature
Review: The Curse of Frankenstein could never rank as one of the best versions of Mary Shelley's novel. Even without the Karloff make-up it borrowed too much from the Universal classic, particularly emphasizing the monster's transplanted brain. Stitches were never seen on the critter until the Karloff version, and Hammer had the stitches too. Christopher Lee, who once referred to his character as a walking road accident, did less in the part than the young actor in I Was a Teenaged Frankenstein. There was no sense of pathos like in the Karloff version, or the wronged being of the novel. He killed just because that was part of the formula of creature features. The monster of the book was romantic, thoughtful, intellectual and more. He even had a sense of humor. When Victor Frankenstein tells him to remove his detested form from his eyes, he places his hands over the young scientist's eyes and says, "Thus I relieve thee my creator." All Hammer Studios had was all the guts we would have loved to have in our childhood Halloween houses, but we had to settle for grapes for eyeballs, and spaghetti for brains. The main value in this movie is the introduction of Peter Cushing as a horror actor and Terence Fisher as a horror director.
Rating:
Summary: Hammer's first Frankenstein
Review: THe Curse of Frankenstein is quite an interesting film that borrows plots from both the novel and Universal's classic. The only thing here that is superior to Universal's Frankenstein is Peter Cushing. His performance as Dr. Frankenstein is uncanny, with the right amount of both evil and good. Sure, he's a [bad], but you still end up liking him! Christopher Lee's Creature, on the other hand, isn't as iconic as Boris Karloff's, and the look is pretty forgettable. There is no sympathy felt for this monster. At least The women are excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Hammer's first Frankenstein
Review: THe Curse of Frankenstein is quite an interesting film that borrows plots from both the novel and Universal's classic. The only thing here that is superior to Universal's Frankenstein is Peter Cushing. His performance as Dr. Frankenstein is uncanny, with the right amount of both evil and good. Sure, he's a [bad], but you still end up liking him! Christopher Lee's Creature, on the other hand, isn't as iconic as Boris Karloff's, and the look is pretty forgettable. There is no sympathy felt for this monster. At least The women are excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Frankenstein in glorious technicolour for the first time!
Review: The Curse of Frankenstein was the first of the many gothic horrors for which the Hammer Studios became renowned, and it remains one of the best. Fisher's seminal film contains all the sophistication, irony and terror that made the Hammer Frankenstein series so successful and memorable. Peter Cushing plays the villianous Baron magnificently, and Christopher Lee presents us with an original and sympathetic portrayal of the creature. Production design is stunning, especially some of the lush matte paintings, and veteran James Bernard supplies one of his best scores.
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