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| Tookey's Review |
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| Pro Reviews |
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| Mixed Reviews |
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| Cast |
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| Released: |
1957 |
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| Genre: |
MONSTER
HORROR
SERIES
SCIENCE FICTION
PANNED
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| Origin: |
GB |
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| Colour: |
C |
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| Length: |
83 |
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Scientist (Peter Cushing) creates monster (Christopher Lee).
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Reviewed by Chris Tookey
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| One of the very few horror films to be made in colour, it shocked critics unused to seeing the colour of blood - although the graphic scenes which earned it condemnation are mild by modern standards. Panned on release for being gruesome and inferior to the 1931 Frankenstein, it was actually more faithful than that film to Mary Shelley’s original, restored some dignity to the Monster despite an unimpressive make-up job, and featured a sensitive performance by Peter Cushing as the Baron. Equally underrated were Terence Fisher’s direction (although his use of colour was more confident in the following year’s Dracula). The sets and costumes - while tacky by modern standards - weren’t bad, especially as they had to be assembled within a very low budget of $350,000. It grossed over $8 million worldwide, made stars of Cushing and Lee, and led to six sequels (starting with The Revenge of Frankenstein) and a whole range of films by Britain’s Hammer Studios. Its critical stock has risen hugely. |
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, Christopher Lee 
