Excellent but underrated film

Best movie ever!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

While this adaptation also eschews some of the complexity of the original novel, and largely truncates it for time, this film, like "Dracula" before it, has largely transcended the source material. While enthusiasts of the genre would largely recognize the disparity between the film and the novel, to a more casual viewer, this film is very much the definition of "Frankenstein," both in terms of its visual design of the creature as well as the signature (and oft-parodied) set-pieces. Even those who have never seen the film in its entirety would recognize large swatches of the story, based on nothing more than cultural osmosis. Additionally, the make-up, a creation of Jack Pierce and the glorious happenstance of Boris Karloff's distinctive visage, has become one of the most instantly recognizable icons of cinema.

"Frankenstein" is considered one of the most iconic and powerful horror stories ever told. It's a film focused on tone and ideas and follows the determined and insane Dr. Frankenstein in his mission to create a monster. Numerous versions of the story have caught the public's eye but none have captured the horror and themes so clearly and with precision as does the 1931 classic by James Whale. The film succeeds at condensing Mary Shelley's epic novel into a contained 1 hour and 10 minute film. Since much was cut about Dr. Frankenstein's origin, the film feels comfortably paced and never seems to drag. The film's editing style is one that probably felt fast paced for it's time given the faster cuts and quick story progression. Exciting editing rhythm combined with beautifully lit cinematography create a memorable image of Frankenstein that still remains influential to this day. The performances by Boris Karloff and Colin Clive are very noteworthy to consider. Clive presents a doctor who's drive and passion drives himself into insanity. Before realizing the terror of his creation, his performance feels so authentically unsettling, you wonder if the actor himself has undergone a transformation of madness. The story of Frankenstein endures through the ages because of it's thought-provoking ideas about life and death, creation, work, and the monstrous nature inside us all. With the birth of a mindless and deformed monster, we see how the people treat the monster and why. We see how he reacts and ask ourselves "Who is the monster?" The dreadful image of the monster asks what the meaning of life and death is and what meaning does the soul have. The horrific themes of the film are understandably non visual; every theme explored is disturbing from Frankenstein undertaking the mantle of God himself by creating a living thing, and the deformity that is his creation which has a mocking feeling to life itself."Frankenstein" is the perfect film to watch for any horror fan, especially around this time of year. It's dark and compelling to watch down to the very last frame. It leaves the viewer thinking about their own existence and what nightmares science can hold for the future.

1931 Frankenstein..... I am a big fan of universal and hammer horror. When it comes to monsters, the Wolf Man and Dracula; they will always be my favorites. When it comes to film, Frankenstein; is at the top of the list. The film called on a great selection of talent. Boris Karloff, did a miraculous job playing the monster; the man's acting talent knows no bounds.The story, by Mary Shelley; was a good tale, that actually opened cross over opportunities with future classic horror ideas. Pitting the Wolf Man against Frankenstein, and Dracula; with many of the favored horror actors reprising their original roles.Classic horror films like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolf Man; gave us a template, for the creation of future masterpieces of horror; that many directors and producers of modern horror look on to this day.1931 Frankenstein, is on of the best films of its time, and it will be enjoyed for many more years to follow.

For one of the first talked movies, the performances are very reasonable, but who steals the show is really 'the monster' Boris Karloff with his image and interpretation. With little more than 1 hour in duration, there are few dead moments and the film manages to grab attention from beginning to end mainly for not losing time with secondary issues unrelated to the plot, but also due to its theme and its victorian-ghotic atmosphere. Unfortunately near the end there are some plot holes: how did that man knew that whoever killed the little girl had been the monster?, how come the little girl could not swim if she lived near a lake or was the lake so much deep so near the shore that she could not reach it?, how did the monster passed unnoticed by the village then found and entered the house of its creator, no less? But apart from these cuts in the narrative (that's me being picky, I know) and the very last scene that does not fit the atmosphere of the movie, this film is a classic to be treasured and respected. So I'm really glad it's still very alive among the cinephile community so many years after its creation :)