Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated? in Hammer Horror Forum

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Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?

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KYTL	Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	Lead	[-]
Feb 15 05 6:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hey, I'm kinda new to this forum. I figure I start it off with some topic of discussion. In this case it's a film that, for me, engages my mind in endless anyalizing and disection. Performances ( I'm talking about Peter Cushing and Thorely Walters) that are filled with wonderfully, stuble nuances. One of Anthony Hind's (John Elder) finest screenplays.. all which is exectued nicely under (IMO) one of Terence Fisher's most touching and mature works. Not a perfect film. The film indeed has it share of faults - the main drawback being, at least for me - the tacky, cramped production design (the sets). Most of Hammer's productions were pretty low budget, but this one tops the tacco (sorry). They pretty much gave Terry Fisher close to nothing to work with and it shows. And I think in a way it worked aganist Fisher, in that it offered him very few places that he could set up his camera (due to the cramped nature, of course) It seems only fair to me, as I know some who consider Fisher's execution on this film rather lazy when compared to his other 4 Frankenstein films. What do you guys think? :)
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paleoguy	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#1	[-]
Feb 15 05 7:27 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think I'm probably in the minority on this board, but I enjoy pretty much all the Hammer films, some of them, of course, more than others for various reasons. I suspect that, in time, the studio will gather more respect from its growing number of fans and many of their efforts will at last be considered to be genuine classics themselves, rather than their general current reputation as mere lurid shadows of the Universal epics that originally inspired them. I've always especially enjoyed their Frankenstein series, which admirably differed in its approach to the characters from the better known Universals, and FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN is no certainly no exception. Peter Cushing has some of his best scenes in these one, and I found the Baron's new fascination with metaphysics (he actually announces the scientific existence of the human "soul"!) to be very interesting. Also, his characterization is the most benign as portrayed in this film, making Baron Frankenstein all the more complex and unpredictable. Susan Denberg gives a very touching performance in one of the most tragic story-lines of all the Hammer sagas, while Thorley Walters seems to been having a ball "channeling" Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson in his role as assistant to the Baron. I would imagine that many people in the audience suspected they were about to see a Terrace Fisher remake of Whale's BRIDE, but FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN is not that at all. Instead, it one of the most original, most unusual Frankenstein movies ever made. It has brains, guts, and heart. I like it very much. Martin
Joe Karlosi	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#2	[-]
Feb 15 05 7:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I tend to go up and down on this film all the time (with the last viewing I was "up" on it). Sometimes I think it's kind of tame and minor, but other times that's precisely what I like about it! No matter which mood I'm in, Peter Cushing is very good here (as usual) and it's a pretty good kind of Frankenstein flick from Hammer, and different too. There's a great moment in the trial when Cushing is waiting on the stand and he thumbs carelessly through the Bible.
TidesOfWerewolves	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#3	[-]
Feb 15 05 10:31 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	People tend to be hard on this entry because it's probably the most unusual of the proper Frankenstein entries. Christina is really more of an experiment than an outright monster. Once "perfected", she doesn't have an outwardly horrific appearance, she doesn't degenerate into cannabalism, and she doesn't run amok in the traditional way. The "creations" in "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed!" and "Frankenstein & The Monster From Hell" followed this trend in and that they were more like damaged, sentient beings than rampaging brutes. This film is more about the quest for the soul and vengeance from beyond the grave. The film's poster promises "A beautiful woman with the soul of the Devil!". What we actually get is a confused hermaphrodite fashioned from the wreckage of two wronged people, one falsely accused and killed and the other driven to suicide by a callous world. Even the Baron doesn't really mourn Christina's/Hans's demise. He just picks up and starts over again because they just weren't meant to last long in the world. There's a kind of sad, nihilistic quality there that just doesn't provide the audience with the requisite monster-on-the-loose expectations. Had this entry been made just five or six years later, it might've explored the gender entanglement theme more like "Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde" did. Whether that would improve this film, I'm not sure.
KYTL	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#4	[-]
Feb 16 05 1:23 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Had it been made five or six years later, I doubt Fisher would have directed it. As he already had somewhat of a falling out with the company. Not to mention his age was getting in the way as well. If anything, I think the film should've been made at least 5 or 6 years earlier, as I'm sure the production for such a film would have been at least up to par for what the script called for..
sthorntn	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#5	[-]
Feb 16 05 12:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I categorize FCW as an interesting misfire. There are some interesting ideas tossed about, especially the bit about soul transference. Cushing seems to be on the side of the angels this time, or at least something reasonably close. Also, the film takes a rather unusual track by focusing not on Victor Frankenstein, but on the impact that he has on those around him (to the extent that Cushing almost becomes a supporting player in the film). But ultimately the script's contrivances do it in. If Hans had merely fessed up and confessed that he had spent the night with Christina, then all the subsequent trouble (including his beheading!) could have been avoided. It's not my favorite of Hammer's Frankenstein series, but it gets points in my book for trying to do something different. Steven "Angel - Strangers in the house!"
Unregistered(d)	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#6	[-]
Feb 17 05 1:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This isn't really my favorite of the Hammer Frankensteins, but it does have some real points of interest. I guess because the monster is female this time out, the Doctor has a bit of a Svengali motivation in this one. He takes this deformed girl, remodels her into a looker, controls her, and keeps her true identity from her. Once again his monster proves too much for him and she begins her own vendetta against the rich bastards who ruined her life. When she throws herself into the river, it's her ultimate way of breaking his hold over her ("I know who I am now and what I must do."). I wish the script had made more of the weird family situation going on the Frankenstein household. Cushing is sort of the distant, controlling father figure. Denberg is the little girl who wants his attention, while Thorley Walters almost acts as a mother figure, reminding her that her daddy is a very busy man. It's kind of funny really.
Tim Lucas VW	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#7	[-]
Feb 17 05 3:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think it's a lovely film in many ways, but it becomes a trifle mechanical as Christina sets up each of her tormentors for revenge and the abrupt ending leaves us with no real sense of satisfaction or catharsis. I can see that, yes, the story ends there... but there is something so perfunctory about its handling that it feels like the movie ended for other than narrative reasons, like its time quota was up or the producers ran out of money. A lot to admire here, though.
Joe Karlosi	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#8	[-]
Feb 17 05 3:51 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	One major thing I would have changed was to save Anton (he was the chief blonde bad guy who got sliced in the face, right?) as the final target of Christina's vengeance; he should have been the last victim who went on the picnic at the end.
Unregistered(d)	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#9	[-]
Feb 17 05 8:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would've liked there to have been a big scene where Christina defies the Doctor and proves she's deadlier than the male. Doctor Frank really is a controlling pig and not especially fond of female resistance (I'm thinking mainly of his rough treatment of Veronica Carlson in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed). He also treated Sarah pretty disposably in Frankenstein and The Monster From Hell. It would be cool to see his realization that he had created a woman who couldn't be reigned in. I think that might've added some real depth to Christina that's maybe a bit lacking otherwise. The murders themselves also could've been more varied to seem less rote. I think I remember reading that an original idea for the script had Christopher Lee's Monster returning to demand a mate like in the book. That might've also been more satisfying than the multiple personality angle, which doesn't quite come across as strongly as it should.
KYTL	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#10	[-]
Feb 17 05 11:40 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I think it's a lovely film in many ways, but it becomes a trifle mechanical as Christina sets up each of her tormentors for revenge and the abrupt ending leaves us with no real sense of satisfaction or catharsis. I can see that, yes, the story ends there... but there is something so perfunctory about its handling that it feels like the movie ended for other than narrative reasons, like its time quota was up or the producers ran out of money. A lot to admire here, though." I actually love the ending. As Phil Hardy points out, it's got to be the most understated endings ever for a Horror film. I think it's pefect. After all the movie focused mainly on the two lovers, rather than the Baron himself. It seems logical. Why continue with a scene with the Baron bitching about his failure? I think it's also very ambigious in the terms of Frankenstein's reaction to Christina's suicide. At first Frankenstein seems almost frustrated, but as he turns (with that wonderful subtle glance up at the sky - gotta love Cushing) It's almost as if somewhere in the back of his mind he knew this was going to happen, and now's he's simply kicking himself, silently. Who knows? Tim might be right. It might've been the producer's running out of money. But at the same time it almost seems perfect, especially for a film directed by Terence Fisher. Another thing: I know I brought this up in my first post, but does anybody besides me get irritated with the films rather shoddy looking production values?
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Joe Karlosi	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#11	[-]
Feb 18 05 10:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I actually love the ending. As Phil Hardy points out, it's got to be the most understated endings ever for a Horror film. I think the ending's okay, but Phil Hardy goes overboard, IMO. I'm not big on many of his opinions in his encyclopedia. He's obviously bigger on later films, and Hammer in particular. His KING KONG (1933) comments are laughably absurd, IMO.
KYTL	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#12	[-]
Feb 18 05 3:20 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm personally not that big on Hardy either. But I did agree with his comments regarding FCW (though I don't think it's the best of Hammer's Frankenstein series - that's easily "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed".) As to King Kong, I'll have to read it again. I also foud his comments regarding Lucio Fulci pretty typical and absurd (he was not a fan of the director.)
mmoaks	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#13	[-]
Feb 21 05 5:14 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As Bill Warren is fond of saying, "You can only see a movie for the first time once," and I remember FCW making quite the impression on me when I first saw it. I was probably about ten or so, and was at a sleepover with a couple of my buddies. We decided it would be fun to try and stay up the entire night watching TV, and FCW came on in the wee hours of the early morning. It really freaked me out at the time, with the scenes with the decapitated head talking to Christine doing quite the number on me. When I re-watched it just last year, I recall how surprised I was at how little time those scenes actually took up. I think the movie holds up pretty well, largely due to the early scenes with Cushing, but agree with Tim that things get a bit too paint by numbers with Christine taking her revenge later on. That said, the initial barroom confrontation scene that sets the stage for all that transpires is exceedingly well-directed.
JimPV	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#14	[-]
Feb 21 05 7:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Have seen this once and thought it was not too good. What in the world is Dr. F doing messing about with "soul transference"? He's a 19th century, materialist "dandy" who doesn't even believe in the soul. A dumb idea for a Frankenstien movie; and once said soul is transferred, this just becomes a ho-hum revenge story. I might give this another chance sometime, but then again there are alot of movies I haven't seen once. "If I had a hidden microphone inside of my heart, I would turn the power on..."
dmreds	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#15	[-]
Feb 22 05 4:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This a classic Hammer film. Tried and true. It fiils all the Hammer requirements and is fun and beautiful on top of it. It may not stand out as exemplary but, it is high grade Hammer working at its best. Nothing above and beyond the call of duty. At the same time it is a great studio firing on all cyllinders. Consider it a fine medium of what they were doing at the time. Please do not try and put it on any podium. It was a great working product of a company I hold in high esteem so, I leave it at that.
Joe Karlosi	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#16	[-]
Feb 22 05 5:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* As Bill Warren is fond of saying, "You can only see a movie for the first time once," and I remember FCW making quite the impression on me when I first saw it. As I'm fond of saying, "Sometimes the first time doesn't do it and you need a second". :)
MJ Simpson	Re: Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?	#17	[-]
Feb 25 05 9:15 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This has always been my least favourite of the six Cushing Frankenfilms because it's not really a Frankenstein film at all. It's some mystical fantasy about souls which just happens to have a character played by Peter Cushing named Frankenstein. I'm sorry, but I want to see a little surgery, a little science in my Frankenstein pictures. I don't mind a bit of quasi-religious mumbo-jumbo, but not to the exclusion of the SF elements. By the by, it should be noted that Phil Hardy is the editor of the Aurum/Overlook encyclopedias and many of the actual reviews are by other hands. Some of them are however laughably far of the mark - check out the review of CORRIDORS OF BLOOD for example. www.MJSimpson.co.uk - cult movies and the people who make them
Dr Acula		#18	[-]
Apr 23 08 8:44 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I vote for overrated, because after hearing so much positive recent press, I found the film to be overlly slow and uneventful. Okay certainly, but not a lost or underrated classic. My God, what's Bond doing?... I think he's attempting re-entry, sir. http://www.eccentric-cinema.com/ Cole's Comics: All About Jack Cole http://colescomics.blogspot.com/
BijouBob8mm		#19	[-]
Apr 24 08 11:38 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Threw this on again the other night and, while watching it, a thought hit me: What is the power source for Frankenstein's lab in this one? Whenever they go to the lab, they always go upstairs; yet, when Frankenstein activates his "control rods," the rods seem to be entering the earth (which would make more sense if the lab were in the cellar, ala FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED). If the rods were actually going into the earth, I'd say he must have struck a vein of radioactive ore (or the rods' glow comes from geothermal energy that he is tapping into in some innovative way). The house doesn't seem to be built into the side of a hill or mountain, so the rods must be going into something.
professor liebstrum		#20	[-]
Apr 24 08 3:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Another great Hammer cameo from Duncan Lamont
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Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?

Frankenstein Created Woman - Underrated/Overrated?