Frankenstein (1931)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:37
Fresh:37
Rotten:0
Average Rating:8.5/10
Consensus: Still unnerving to this day, Frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features Boris Karloff's legendary, frightening performance as the monster.
Runtime: 71 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: FRANKENSTEIN is James Whale's first stylish, expressionist film (INVISIBLE MAN, BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN) to grace the Universal horror cycle of the 1930s and 1940s (DRACULA, THE MUMMY). Scientist... [More]
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Reviews for Frankenstein
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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 9/10 |
If it isn't the best American horror film of the 1930s, that's only because the extremely gifted director James Whale wasn't done with the franchise quite yet. Full Review |
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From the standpoint of the story, cast, direction and photography the picture is sure to rate with the greatest in picturedom. Full Review |
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[Whale] did it in the Grand Guignol manner, with as many queer sounds, dark corners, false faces and cellar stairs as could possibly be inserted. Full Review |
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Maximum of stimulating shock is there, but the thing is handled with subtle change of pace and shift of tempo that keeps attention absorbed to a high voltage climax. Full Review |
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5/5 |
Beautiful photography, a heartbreaking story, and iconic moments from beginnning to end. Absolutely unmissable. Full Review |
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A masterpiece of vintage horror. Entertaining, creepy and stylish. Full Review |
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5/5 |
Utterly sublime. Karloff--the master!
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5/5 |
No review available.
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B+ |
Frankenstein's psychological inquiries remain both striking and potent, its morality-lined narrative brimming with existential hurdles on both ends of the scale. Full Review |
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One of the most deservedly famous and chilling horror films of all time. Full Review |
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3.5/4 |
A classic. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
Now a classic part of scream culture. Full Review |
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The film is unique in Whale's work in that the horror is played absolutely straight, and it has a weird fairytale beauty not matched until Cocteau made La Belle et la Bête. Full Review |
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...crude but famously iconic version of Shelley's novel, which featured Karloff under 50 pounds of makeup, costume and platform boots the Spice Girls could only dream of. Full Review |
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3/5 |
No review available.
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The monster may seem campy today, but there are still occasional subtleties. Full Review |
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4/5 |
The high tide of Universal horror. Hail Karloff.
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4/5 |
No review available.
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Without question the film's defining moment comes from the actual revelation of the legendary monster itself. Full Review |
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5/5 |
No review available.
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