Jimmy Sangster's script abandons all the history attached to the previous films and focuses on many of the issues that drove Mary Shelly's classic novel. He also focuses on the driven, obsessed Baron Frankenstein. Clearly this script (or film) had an impact on Christopher Isherwood's Frankenstein: The True Story filmed two decades later. Peter Cushing gives a skilled, sharp performance and, as usual, he is the film's secret weapon. He could play the phone book and make it interesting. This is one of his best performances in a genre film. Francis Mathews also gives a sharp performance as a doctor that becomes Dr. Stein's pupil.

The DVD looks stunning given the age of the negative. The colors are rich and the wide screen image has been preserved. The extras include the original trailer and production stills from the film. A running commentary from a Hammer film historian or someone involved in the production of the film would have been interesting. Perhaps that will happen when the next generation of high definition DVDs are available. Regardless, this is a fine film that has finally become available again for the first time in years. Snap it up while you can before this disappears as so often happens to Hammer films on video.


More Good Stuff From Hammer   October 17, 2003
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Halloween is a good time to dip into the classic horror library, and there are few classics better than the Hammer horror films. Revenge of Frankenstein is the sequel to Hammer's successful Curse of Frankenstein. Peter Cushing returns as the good doctor. Having escaped the gallows 3 years prior, Dr. Frankenstein is living and practicing medicine in Germany under the name Dr. Stein. He splits his time between a successful practice and treating the poor. Of course he has not abandoned his research in creating life. His work with the poor serves as a good source of "materials". In this film he transports the brain of a disfigured assistant into a new body. Unfortunately, all does not go smoothly and Dr. Frankenstein once again becomes a wanted man.

I like the course Hammer took with the Frankenstein films. They focused on the "real monster" instead of resurrecting the same creature over and over. Cushing is always a pleasure to watch and he plays the role perfectly. The picture quality on the DVD is very good and is presented in widescreen format. There are some very minor scratches, etc. visible here and there, but they are minor and I doubt the film has ever looked this good. Colors are fairly sharp and clear, though not quite as good as the Warner release of "Curse". The sound is crisp and audible with virtually no hissing. There are virtually no extras on the disc save for a couple of stills and a trailer.

If you are looking to start a Hammer library, this disc should be high on your list just behind the aforementioned "Curse of Frankenstein" and "Horror of Dracula".


"One of Hammer's best, and most exciting productions."   January 15, 2001
 8 out of 11 found this review helpful

With the success of The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Hammer, not wasting anytime, went into production, with this witty and thoughtful sequel, and which would set the pace for the following entries to come. The three main stars of this film, are, Peter Cushing, of course. Who reprises his role as Baron Victor Frankenstein. Cushing retains the warpish charm and sublime arrogance of Victor's first outing, but here he's allowed to deepen the character, bringing intresting new angles to light. The second star is the masterful, yet somewhat stately direction of Horror meserto' Terence Fisher, who returns to the director's chair , yet to bring another exellent Frankenstein film. Fisher imbues the film with his usual flair, and in a way trys to remake his classic orginal (but in a way lacks the pure poetry that it's predecesor achieved soo well.) Yet the film makes up for it, all too well. With what is the film's third, and main attraction: Jimmy Sangster's script, which is his most thoughtfuly written--and his best. Sangster's script for ROF is better in every way than his previous effort, with nice touches of black humor and some wry social commentary on the self-satisfied burghers of Carlsbruck. Sangster also manages to weave some neat ironies into his tale, not least that Victor literally becomes his own monster( note: also that his own transplant is the sole truly sucessful experiment in the entire Frankenstein series) Most satisfying of all is the thoughtful way, in which the film explores the real-world implications of Frankenstein's activites. Most previous Frankenstein movies treated the brain as if it were merely another organ, like a pancreas, without exploring the idea that these spare parts might have their own memories and agendas. The Revenge of Frankenstein meets this imminently logical concept head on, using it to develop a fresh, orginal approach to a myth cycle that badly needed it. With all the good to aside, I have to express on how sickly I have become on how Overrated this film is (most notably , the critics). Too many times have people and critics alike have stated this being the best of the Hammer Frankenstein series, not giving an ounce of respect to any of the other "Better entries" (yes, you heard me, better entries.) In my own estimation, critics have either bashed, or ignored the other entries , in calling them decidely weak and (oh, this is my favorite, "Uneven." And only paying homage, to "that almighty Revenge of Frankenstein." Clearly, this is not the best of Fisher, nor is it one of his personal works. I would place "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) ", at the top, followed by The Curse of Frankenstein in second, and Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell (1973), being equal, if not slightly better than "Revenge", puting Revenge in 4th place, and finnally Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), in 5th, being "slighlty" inferior to "Revenge"(marred down by the fact of the budgetary problems Hammer was having at the time(tacky looking sets). Though one could surely understand people Bashing the Non-Fisher entries, (The evil of Frankenstein & Horror of frankenstein) Lastly, these past comments concerning this film being overated does not mean I dislike the film. The film is "Exellent" indeed! But Im just soo discusted on how the other entries in the series are treated by critics, and people who don't show a fondness for Hammer, or merely the Horror film for that matter. (All in all, I highly recommend "The Revenge of Frankenstein, and without question, Hammer at it's best.

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

Grade: A- 93%


Another fine creation   March 14, 2000
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

The second of hammer's frankenstein films picks up directly after the first with Victor Frankenstein being led to the guillotine, but he escapes with the help of a man named Karl. The good doctor then flees to another town and sets up medical practice as Dr.Stein. Here he is popular because he will give help to the poor, but he's colllecting any parts he amputates. He has also agreed to take Karl's brain from his twisted body and place it into a new body made from collected parts. In the new body, Karl flees and the other local doctors are beginning to wonder about Dr.Stein's real identity. This is a tight, excellant film from beginning to end. The story deals more with human emotions than the first did, we have more of a creation than a creature in this film. The acting is first rate, Peter Cushing is as cold as ice and very sharp in an exceptionally strong performance. The sets, costumes and visuals are of the usual fine Hammer quality. This film is just slightly better than the first, and I think it is due to the acting and the way it just flows along.


BORING BORING BORING....   October 27, 2002
 4 out of 11 found this review helpful

Definitely not one of Hammer's better films. They just didn't know how to make a Frankenstein film. Cushing is back but the horror isn't. Again, acting and production values are fine---they just forgot to add the horror this time. Instead we have a dull movie that leaves you wondering what audience did they intend this for...you got a laboratory, a hospital, an assistant and a pretty girl but where's the monster? Just a fairly regular looking joe with stiches here and there. And he's literate! And he has a conscience. From a transplanted brain? I passed on this one and can't recommend it. I just don't see what other people see in it. It's just plain boring...