Frankenstein Created Woman

Directed by Terence Fisher
Starring Peter Cushing, Thorley Walters, Susan Denberg, Robert Morris


I believe that even the lower budget films produced by the Hammer film studios are still twice as good as half the horror films being unleashed from Hollywood today. This film included. Peter Cushing stars as Baron Frankenstein who always brings creditability to his roles as he takes his roles seriously. Plus he is just a fun actor to watch.
With a doctor and his assistant at hand Baron Frankenstein has just completed his latest experiment, discovering the soul is still alive even after the body passes. The assistant Hans is sent to the local tavern for a bottle of champagne to bring back for a celebration. Once there he witnesses the humiliation of his lady friend Christina at the hands of three rich Victorian era punks. Christina suffers from paralysis to the left side of her body, and a facial scar mars her face which she tries to cover with her hair. The three droogs tease and torment her until Hans can't take any more and a fist fight ensues. Later that night a murder occurs and Hans is arrested, sentenced and ordered to the guillotine just like his father, as a boy Hans witnessed this. The circle of death continues when Christina catches sight of Hans beheading and she herself commits suicide. The Baron and his doctor friend portrayed by Thorley Walters who always adds a certain comedic charm to his roles, end up with both bodies of Hans and Christina. The motion is set for the next chapter of their experiment, which brings Christina back to life as a beautiful blonde bombshell without her limp or facial scar. At the time Christina is questioning her background about where she came from and who is she ?  The three punks that had terrorized her are now being sexually enticed one at a time to their own deaths.
This is a good looking film with high production values considering the low budget it was probably attached with. The sets are minimal, but along with costumes, vehicles and props all look impressive. Director Terence Fisher brings a sense of pessimism, hopelessness and death to the over all tone of the film especially with the ominous look of that damn guillotine one has to pass going into or leaving the town.
All of the actors do an admirable job, the audience likes the characters that are supposed to be liked and loathe the ones intended to be hated. Hans was an especially interesting if not frustrating character who could have literally saved his own head, but his love and honour towards Christina would not allow him to divulge his alibi, he was doing the horizontal tango with her during the murder.

My Final Thoughts : This one is definitely worth the watch as Hammer tries something a little different with the Frankenstein franchise.
My Rating: Three and a half Go Go Girls out of Five