Rating: 
Summary: A sure cure for insomniacs
Review: I had no idea such a visually intense movie could be so bloody boring. It attempts to recreate the night in which Mary Shelly got the idea for her novel "Frankenstein." The entire movie plays like a dream or hallucination sequence, with unintentionally funny dialogue and marginal acting by a cast that would be impressive in any other movie. If you enjoy gratuitously lush visuals supported by a weak script and embarassed actors, go ahead and rent this movie somewhere. If you have more important things to do, like taking a nap, or watching grass grow, you might want to pass.
Rating: 
Summary: The Romantics Unbound
Review: I haven't seen any of Ken Russell's other works, but this one is the only one I need to see. This interesting thing about this movie is how similar all of the characters look to their real-life counterparts, or at least their portraits, with the sole exception being Shelley. Even without the fictional aspects being mixed in, the historical accounts of Percy and Mary, Claire, Polidori, and Byron are quite fascinating as well as entertaining in the movies, as evidenced by Haunted Summer. But it was Coleridge who once coined the term "suspension of disbelief", and taking a compelling real-life account of how Mary Shelley came to write Frankenstein and mixing in generous elements of the fictitious in order to turn reality into a horror story can be fun indeed, especially when the story is capable of allowing you to suspend your disbelief. And that's what this story does so wonderfully. I remember loaning a copy of this movie to a friend many years ago, and then several days later she called me to express her disbelief that Polidori had drank a beeker filled with water and leeches. But that's part of the lure of this film. Fans of the account concerning the origins of the story Frankenstein might, if their imagination allows, truly enjoy this work of art.
Rating:
Summary: The Romantics Unbound
Review: I haven't seen any of Ken Russell's other works, but this one is the only one I need to see. This interesting thing about this movie is how similar all of the characters look to their real-life counterparts, or at least their portraits, with the sole exception being Shelley. Even without the fictional aspects being mixed in, the historical accounts of Percy and Mary, Claire, Polidori, and Byron are quite fascinating as well as entertaining in the movies, as evidenced by Haunted Summer. But it was Coleridge who once coined the term "suspension of disbelief", and taking a compelling real-life account of how Mary Shelley came to write Frankenstein and mixing in generous elements of the fictitious in order to turn reality into a horror story can be fun indeed, especially when the story is capable of allowing you to suspend your disbelief. And that's what this story does so wonderfully. I remember loaning a copy of this movie to a friend many years ago, and then several days later she called me to express her disbelief that Polidori had drank a beeker filled with water and leeches. But that's part of the lure of this film. Fans of the account concerning the origins of the story Frankenstein might, if their imagination allows, truly enjoy this work of art.
Rating:
Summary: This is a waste of your hard-earned money.
Review: I rented this primarily because I am a fan of Julian Sands. I wish I hadn't. If I ever have to sit through this monstrosity again, I'll make sure to get good and soused first. It may make more sense that way. Despite it's supposedly "shocking" scenes (Not for the faint of heart? What do you people watch, Disney movies?), it actually turns out to be rather boring. I caught myself dozing several times while watching this. It's never clear to me exactly what is going on here. The scenes are poorly linked together and do not even flow well if thought of as a "dream sequence." Bizarre things are forgotten from one scene to the next. It is perfect, however, if you are looking for something to help you sleep or if you particularly enjoy torturing yourself. If you're a horror fan or a Julian Sands fan, look elsewhere... however, if you're one of those people who manages to find symbolism in the color of your toenails, there may be something for you here. This movie does not deserve its title. One would expect a movie called "Gothic" to be so much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Gothic
Review: I was intrigued the first time I saw this strange film. I have always been fascinated by the life of Mary Shelley and that is what drew me to see it. I was impressed by all of the symbolism, forshadowing and how the concepts of the story parallel the works of these famous people. I have watched it many times and I still keep finding things I didn't quite understand the time before. I believe the problem most people have with this movie is they do not understand most of the symbolism. It is a bit overwhelming at times, and I have never found anyone of my friends who has actually admitted to liking it, but I think it is an erotic and powerful movie that truely captures the essence of that time and shows a darker side of the romantic era.
Rating: 
Summary: slapdash transfer
Review: I won't go into the pros or cons of the movie, which many other reviewers have covered earlier. If you like Ken Russell, can tolerate some ambiguity, and enjoy the darkness of Romantic poetry, you probably like this movie; if you don't, you won't.What I will mention is that Artisan has provided us with a DVD that defines "lackluster." There are no, repeat no, extras on the DVD. Not even an original trailer or still of an A sheet. The format is pan-and-scan, and I do not believe any attempt was made to restore the print. In fact, I would venture so far as to say this is simply the earlier VHS-formatted movie transferred directly onto DVD. If, like me, you no longer own or use a VCR, or your VHS version is worn out, this DVD is worthwhile. If not, then wait until someone who cares about movies, perhaps Anchor Bay, gets permission to produce this movie on DVD, and does it right.
Rating:
Summary: slapdash transfer
Review: I won't go into the pros or cons of the movie, which many other reviewers have covered earlier. If you like Ken Russell, can tolerate some ambiguity, and enjoy the darkness of Romantic poetry, you probably like this movie; if you don't, you won't. What I will mention is that Artisan has provided us with a DVD that defines "lackluster." There are no, repeat no, extras on the DVD. Not even an original trailer or still of an A sheet. The format is pan-and-scan, and I do not believe any attempt was made to restore the print. In fact, I would venture so far as to say this is simply the earlier VHS-formatted movie transferred directly onto DVD. If, like me, you no longer own or use a VCR, or your VHS version is worn out, this DVD is worthwhile. If not, then wait until someone who cares about movies, perhaps Anchor Bay, gets permission to produce this movie on DVD, and does it right.
Rating:
Summary: No wonder she wrote "Frankenstein"
Review: If history were kind at all toMary Shelly they would not try to say that she only wrote"Frankenstein" after spending adrug induced haullucinatory nightwith Byron Shelly et.all.Despite the obvious liberties thathollywood has taken with thislady's life story this is a verywell made movie.The acting is very good-with theinter-personal relationshipsfilling in very well when the special effects are not keepingyour undivided attention.An extremely dark and physcolog-ically disturbing story line-it is definately not a movie tobe watched late at night by one'sself unless you be firmly groundedin reality.It is a movie that just wants todraw you in and does so in such a way that you don't realize howdeeply until it's almost too late and i found myself having tojerk myself mentally back toreality.As other reviewers have so wellput-this is not a movie for thefaint of heart or physic.
Rating:
Summary: No wonder she wrote "Frankenstein"
Review: If history were kind at all toMary Shelly they would not try to say that she only wrote"Frankenstein" after spending adrug induced haullucinatory nightwith Byron Shelly et.all.Despite the obvious liberties thathollywood has taken with thislady's life story this is a verywell made movie.The acting is very good-with theinter-personal relationshipsfilling in very well when the special effects are not keepingyour undivided attention.An extremely dark and physcolog-ically disturbing story line-it is definately not a movie tobe watched late at night by one'sself unless you be firmly groundedin reality.It is a movie that just wants todraw you in and does so in such a way that you don't realize howdeeply until it's almost too late and i found myself having tojerk myself mentally back toreality.As other reviewers have so wellput-this is not a movie for thefaint of heart or physic.
Rating:
Summary: Pause, Genius at work!
Review: Ken Russell is a film genius! Give paise unto him and behold the flight of fancy that is this truely unique and morbid film experience! A parade of fine acting highlights Russell's decadence and visual wonders to weave a tale of a group of fledgeling writers as they proceed to get trashed on liquid opium and have the night of their lives! Drinking the amber fluid, telling ghost stories and engaging in acts of sexuality with each other (where there is no such thing as gay or straight, but a fine mix of both) and chasing each other around a haunted mansion during a horrid thunderstorm. Their fears call into flesh a demon and it's up to them to take back the life they have given it. Utterly fascinating!
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