Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
origin of the film reviewed so you can check your player for compatibility. You may
also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
review. All the reviews here have been reviewed either by myself or my current movie 
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- Universal Studio's Frankenstein - US DVD -  

Frankenstein is one of the most important horror movies ever made.  It is
significant for two reasons. Firstly, its success is one of the reasons that
horror movies have survived throughout entertainment history. It set the basis
for writers, actors, directors, and producers to build on and fully develop 
this genre. Other movies, Phantom of the Opera, Nosferatu, Dracula, The Wolf 
Man, to name a few, also have had the same effect.
Frankenstein has another ingredient not included in any of these other classic
movies. Boris Karloff and his superb performance are the second important reason 
credited to this film.
Boris Karloff was basically an unknown actor until he took the role of the
monster. Karloff gives a masterful show of his talents. His acting is key to 
the success of the film. His performance is done through a series of body, 
facial, and eye movements. The monster never speaks. Yet we see the monsters
inner emotions. Karloff effectively grunts and groans his way through the film.
If any other actor had played the role of the monster, I doubt I would be writing
this review. Just watching Karloff in this role always gives me pure pleasure.
He uses his body to show the physical torment the creature feels. Watch as the
monster reaches to a light, shows his fear of fire and lovingly drowns a young
girl. It is one of the greatest performances ever.
The monsters facial expressions demonstrate a creature that would probably 
rather have stayed in the grave. As soon as the audience might feel sympathy 
for the monster, Karloff uses his eyes to show the madness and evil that have
replaced human compassion. It works. I am not sure if there is or was another 
actor more suited for this role. The monster could easily have turned into a 
bumbling, stumbling, oversized, pathetic goofball.
Obviously Boris Karloff was not the only person involved in this flick.
James Whale does a fantastic job of direction. His use of the sets (for what
was available at the time) is brilliant. He creates the correct atmosphere 
for the dead to be brought back to life. Remember that this movie was released
in 1931. This was long before millions of dollars were spent on elaborate sets
and high tech effects were possible. It was also before the time when blood 
and gore might be used to mask a poorly-written script or an inept director.
Frankenstein did not need any of that to portray its message.
Colin Clive gives a very good performance in the role of Doctor Frankenstein.
He pulls off the decent man whose best intentions go extremely wrong. A few 
times he almost starts to overact. Either he or director Whale, do not allow 
it to happen. Edward Van Sloan is well-cast and well-used in his role of Doctor
Waldman.
This movie has one other key ingredient, the screenplay. As all true horror fans 
know, the story Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley.
Thankfully Garrett Fort and Francis Edwards Faragohs screenplay deviates from 
the original story. Many people consider Shelleys story a masterpiece. I do not.
But I am not going to discuss that here. The screenplay is much more believable 
than Shelleys story. It gave the film makers and actors a much better vehicle
to work with.
Frankenstein is not a very scary movie by todays standards. It will not gross
you out or cause your heart to beat uncontrollably. Well, unless you never watched
a horror movie before. Still, it has a primitive intensity and unyielding imagination 
about it. It is definitely worth watching.
This DVD version is restored. The quality of the picture is greatly improved 
over the older VHS variation that I also own. The Dolby Digital soundtrack and
enhanced audio output are also much clearer then my VHS copy.
As with most DVDs, Frankenstein has several special features. Highly notable 
and recommended is the feature commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer. 
Rudy clearly shows that he has a great grasp of and a wealth of knowledge concerning
horror plays, novels, movies, actors and other useful information. The insight
that he gives into how the novel was converted to various plays and into a motion 
picture is incredible. This is the best feature commentary that I have seen. 
All horror fans should watch it.
A documentary, "How Hollywood Made a Monster" is also included. Much of the
same information is included in the feature commentary. The documentary is okay.
I would recommend watching the feature commentary and skipping the documentary.
The next time you want to watch a classic horror movie, pick up this gem.
It is part of Universals Classic Monster Collection.

Reviewed By Scal Williams

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