The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

Movie Info

I’m a little bit wacky!

Offering riches to the executioner to avoid death, Baron Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) has resurfaced as Dr. Victor Stein.  Continuing his old experiments in trying to overcome death, Victor has set out to transfer brains from one body to another.  When he completes his experiment, another unbalanced killer is released on the world.  Victor’s experiments will have ramifications, and Victor’s new assistant Dr. Hans Kleve (Francis Matthews) might have to pull off the impossible to prevent his capture.

Directed by Terence Fisher, The Revenge of Frankenstein is the second film in the Hammer Frankenstein series.  Following The Curse of Frankenstein in 1957, The Revenge of Frankenstein was well received by critics.

I want eyes in a fishtank too!!!

I really enjoyed the first Hammer Frankenstein because it just completely tried something different from the “classic” Universal films.  It also introduced a Victor Frankenstein that was very mentally unbalanced and almost outright evil.  Here, that Victor returns but with a whole new creature that is less compelling.

I like that this movie doesn’t just try to do the same story again, but I don’t enjoy this story as much.  I like that despite his mental state, Frankenstein finds an assistant in Hans Kleve (whose character returns in the sequel), but I find the actual “Monster” not as interesting as Lee’s creature…I would have just liked the story to stay with Frankenstein.

You should see the other guy!

Peter Cushing continues to bring a very strange portrayal of Frankenstein to the screen.  The character is dark and driven.  Francis Matthews’ Kleve is a nice contrast to Frankenstein and a bit more in line with the novel’s Frankenstein in that he seems to seek knowledge driven than glory driven.  Michael Gwynn and Oscar Quitak as the “monster” (and his original body) aren’t developed enough.

Visually, the movie loses the great look of the previous film because Lee’s Monster is gone.  This film is much more toned down since the experiments aren’t as grand and explosive.  The movie still looks good with its bright colors and style, but I wanted a better monster.

I admire The Revenge of Frankenstein but I don’t love The Revenge of Frankenstein.  It does prove to be better than many of the sequels, but it also isn’t as inspiring.  The Revenge of Frankenstein was followed by The Evil of Frankenstein in 1964.

Related Links:

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

Frankenstein Creates Woman (1967)

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)