I watched part of it last night and part of it this morning.
I actually really liked it. When the Hammer Films came out, I wasn’t allowed to go see them because they were considered not appropriate for kids. Now it’s nice to be able to see them.
Peter Cushing is so sincere in whatever character he plays. Roles like those in the Hammer Films could be overacted and look very corny, but Cushing keeps it real and convincing. He’s very handsome. I love the way his clothing always looks so neat, even after he’s slept in straw in a cave! Just like James Bond!
It’s interesting that the film attempted to manipulate our thinking to see Frankenstein as the “good guy” and the Burgermeister and the Chief of Police as the “bad guys.” It’s ridiculous!–Frankenstein robbed graves (eugh!–a despicable crime and sin even today!), murdered people, and created a hulking monster that killed animals and people in its quest for food–yet he’s supposed to be the GOOD guy?!! No way! How stupid do we all look, anyway?
And yes, the Burgermeister was a womanizer who stole Frankenstein’s property after banishing him, and the Chief of Police didn’t seem much better–but they didn’t kill anyone or rob graves. They were just kind of trashy, and they didn’t look as neat and trim in their clothing as Frankenstein did. But definitely not the bad guys.
When we consider the time during which these films were made, and the wide-spread rebellion and distrust of authority, especially the police–well, I think the film was just playing to that feeling among the teenagers and younger adults who probably made up most of the movie audience for Hammer Films. Good PR. And hopefully, the kids cheered Frankenstein and booed the Burgermeister while they were in the theater, but once they got home and were safely in their quiet beds, they recognized that the real villain in the film was Dr. Frankenstein.
