THE
REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958)Director: Terence Fisher
Columbia TriStar
THE
REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958)Having found a most prosperous niche in the realm of gothic horror, England's Hammer Films was quick to follow up 1957's CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN with a sequel. Originally titled "Blood of Frankenstein," shooting began shortly after the masterful HORROR OF DRACULA (with Bernard Robinson obviously re-dressing the sets from it) with Terence Fisher again directing and Jimmy Sangster again taking writing duties. Instead of bringing back the initial monster (the creation played by Christopher Lee was destroyed in CURSE), Peter Cushing would return as Baron Frankenstein, and with this outing, he would already make the part his very own.
THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN ingeniously
picks up where the previous film ended, when Frankenstein had been escorted
off to 
death
by guillotine. Having cleverly escaped that fate, he takes residence in a new
town, using the name Dr. Stein. He sets up an extensive practice, treating the
poverty-ridden scoundrels that board at the clinic, as well as accepting incalls
from wealthy socialites. Frankenstein has also secured a private lab where he
plans to transplant the brain of the crippled dwarf Carl (Oscar Quitak) into
a normal body that he has assembled bit by bit.
Although
the local medical council is infuriated at "Dr. Stein" for remaining
outside their circle and stealing all their patients, one young doctor, Hans
Kleve (Francis Matthews, who the same year played a similar part opposite Karloff
in CORRIDORS OF BLOOD) recognizes his true identity. He convinces Frankenstein
to take him on as his assistant and they perform the transplant as planned.
Carl now emerges as the handsome Michael Gwynn, but things go wrong as he is
assaulted by a burly janitor (George Woodbridge) who mistakes him as a prowler.
With a damaged brain, Carl begins to deteriorate into a repulsive monster, and
worse yet, has become cannibalistic.
THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN is prime Hammer horror, stylishly directed by Fisher with striking camera work and lighting effects by Jack Asher. Sangster's script adds new, inventive ideas and twists to the Frankenstein legend (his idea to include cannibalism was a result of what he himself found most horrific) and gives more dimension to the character. Cushing's portrayal of Frankenstein is here more confident, sharp-witted and refined than in the previous film. Forgetting the cold-blooded killer of CURSE, Frankenstein is now more resourceful about where gets his limbs and organs, and can even be kind and sympathetic. Cushing would brilliantly alter the character in later films depending on the situation of the script --from his chance humanity in FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN to his irrational barbarity in FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED.
Columbia
TriStar has presented THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN on DVD with a satisfying transfer.
Although the packaging claims that the Anamorphic presentation is in the approximate
aspect ratio of 1.66:1, the letterboxing seems to dictate something more severe.
Still, the compositions look nicely composed, and although colors are attractive
and suitable, they're not as vibrant as those witnessed on most Technicolor
16mm and 35mm prints. Source blemishes are kept to a minimum, and although the
picture is consistently sharp and black levels are deep, grain is evident from
time to time and some shots take on a soft appearance. The Dolby Digital mono
soundtrack is very clean and free of any apparent drawbacks. Optional English
and French subtitles are provided on the disc.
With all the spoiling we've been getting with Anchor Bay's deluxe treatment of their Hammer titles, Columbia TriStar's THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN disc arrives no frills, even though a commentary with writer Sangster and/or surviving lead actress Eunice Gayson would have really capped it off properly. We do get the great theatrical trailer (narrated onscreen by Cushing in character), as well as one for EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (coming soon to DVD). A still gallery, made up of simply ten unimpressive black and white stills is extremely lacking, as is the dull an uncolorful package art. Although it's great to have REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN on DVD, hopefully Columbia TriStar will put more care into THE GORGON, CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB and all the other Hammer films that they still hold the rights to. (George R. Reis)