Frankenstein 75th Anniversary (DVD)

Frankenstein has been released on DVD before, but this time, in honor of the classic monster movie's 75th anniversary, Universal has pulled out all the stops. In a very handsomely packaged boxed set are two discs, each one crammed with new additional release material.

James Whale's Frankenstein is one of the most celebrated and influential horror movies ever made — and at the time it came out, a monster hit. Unlike a lot of genre classics that only gained respect over years, Frankenstein was an enormous financial success (made for $250,000, the box office receipts returned $12 million).

Every time I watch Frankenstein — a movie I have, of course, seen dozens of times — I am struck by not only how beautiful it looks in all its silhouetted, expressionistic black and white glory, but what an incredible actor Boris Karloff really was. A nearly mute, completely misunderstood brute, he makes it clear that Frankenstein's Monster was turned into a raging killer only through awful circumstance. In this magnificently restored version of the film, we got not only Colin Clive's then-banned dialogue ("In the name of God now I know what it's like to be God!"), but the cleanest, most crisp picture and sound possible.

The movie itself is must-have for any serious horror fan or film scholar, but the additional release material on the 75th Anniversary edition is the final straw if you've had Frankenstein on your wish list for awhile.

Disc One:

Karloff: The Gentle Monster — This a half-hour+ tribute to Karloff, featuring interviews with his daughter, Sara (who doesn't like horror movies!), people who actually met Karloff, and some very well-versed historians. Joe Dante, Greg Mank, Kim Newman, Ramsey Campbell, Ray Bradbury, Forrest Ackerman, and many more weigh in on the big monster. The doc also delves into the actor's relationships with director Whale and his fellow actor / rival Bela Lugosi.

Also…

Monster Tracks (Pop-up facts)

Feature Commentary with Rudy Behlmer (previously released)

Feature Commentary with Sir Christopher Frayling (new)

Disc Two:

The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster — A documentary hosted by film historian David J. Skal discusses the influence of Mary Shelley's Gothic novel on Hollywood.  Sara Karloff is back, as is an array of filmmakers, writers and actors.

Universal Horror — A 1998 documentary narrated by Kenneth Branagh, takes you on a genuinely fascinating chronological journey through the making of the most memorable monster movies of all time. Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy are of course covered in depth, but we also learn a lot more about the origins of Universal in its silent film days and its progression beyond the golden age of horror in the 30s and 40s.

Also…

Frankenstein Archives: Photo and Poster Gallery

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson