Time: 70 Minutes
Age Rating: PG
Cast:
Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein
Mae Clarke as Elizabeth Lavenza
John Boles as Victor Moritz
Boris Karloff as The Monster
Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Waldman
Frederick Kerr as Baron Frankenstein
Director: James Whale

With Guillermo del Toro giving his take on the iconic classic horror story this year, I decided to rewatch the first film based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and I think it still holds up really well. 

Frankenstein is very much a highly influential, compelling and tragic horror and sci-fi tale, and the movie feels ahead of its time in some ways. The best part to me was probably the first act, outside of that it occasionally did fall into meandering a little with its pacing, despite the short runtime.

The acting is good from everyone. Of course, the most iconic performance and character is Boris Karloff as the monster. Karloff does some fantastic physical acting, intimidating yet conveying sympathy too. The rest of the cast are also really good too, especially Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein, the scientist who created the monster. 

James Whale’s direction is top notch. The visuals are great with good use of lighting and shadows and with a really nice gothic aesthetic. The architecture and sets are wonderful, and they really create a solid atmosphere. The makeup and prosthetics to turn Boris Karloff into the monster are also top notch and absolutely iconic.

Frankenstein remains an iconic and effective horror classic, with fantastic direction, visuals, production design, and atmosphere.