Horror of Frankenstein was an attempt by Hammer films to reboot their long-running Frankenstein franchise, sans the star of the previous popular films, Peter Cushing. Despite the gaping hole left in the film by Cushing's absence, Hammer put together what was nonetheless a formidable cast and crew that should have managed to make a very fine picture. But at some point the decision was apparently made to reinvent the story as a comedy or satire on the whole Frankenstein theme, with virtually disastrous results. Director Jimmy Sangster was a solid choice to helm the film, but while everything is competently filmed the ridiculous tone ruins what is otherwise a rich and colorful Gothic atmosphere. As the title character, Ralph Bates may not be Peter Cushing but he does convey the sort of ruthless, amoral intelligence that the part demands, and it's likely that Mr. Bates could have played a more serious conception of the character quite well. Naturally, this being a Hammer production, the film is graced by a pair of especially lovely actresses in the well-endowed persons of Kate O'Mara and Veronica Carlson, and both of them do a fine job (and, notably, are allowed to play their roles rather seriously). O'Mara brings just the right amount of seductive charm and cold self-interest to the part of Frankenstein's housemaid and lover, while Carlson's innocent Elizabeth is absolutely irresistible (to any man but the twisted Frankenstein, at least). Without these two gifted actresses, the picture would be even more lackluster than it is. It should also be noted that the monster, played by David Prowse (yes, Darth Vader himself) is quite powerful and intimidating, with a bigger mean streak than Hammer often portrayed Frankenstein's creatures with. Prowse's monster is a nearly unstoppable killing machine, barely kept in check by Frankenstein's unholy influence, and provides a much-needed kick to the frequently silly proceedings. If the director had made a straight horror film, Prowse's version of the monster would probably be remembered as a truly frightening one. As it is, the tongue-in-cheek approach undercuts Prowse's effective performance. It's hard to imagine why the road to high camp was taken as opposed to Hammer's tried-and-true formula of Gothic chillers, unless someone was overcome by a burning desire to break out of the mould and do something different for a change. Horror of Frankenstein is different, though in a very unfortunate manner. All the pieces were in place to craft a fine remake of 1957's Curse of Frankenstein, but the satirical approach is a failure all-around. It's never even really funny, and the climax, as such, is a frustrating bomb of epic proportions. On the one hand, everyone involved deserves a lot of credit for managing to avoid making a truly awful movie despite the badly conceived humor, especially the beautiful Carlson and O'Mara and the imposing Prowse. But on the other, it's a shame that such a great opportunity was wasted. Hammer completists and fans of the cast may not regret checking this one out, but everyone else is better off sticking with Hammer's earlier, and more serious, Frankenstein efforts.

The Horror Of Frankenstein is out of Hammer Studios and directed by Jimmy Sangster. Based around the famous characters created by Mary Shelley, the screenplay is co-written by Sangster with Jeremy Burnham. It stars Ralph Bates, Kate O'Mara, Veronica Carlson, Dennis Price, Graham James & David Prowse.After a dastardly deed sees him inherit the family estate, Victor Frankenstein continues with his anatomy experiments...Originally released as part of a double bill with Scars Of Dracula, The Horror Of Frankenstein saw Hammer Studios take a different approach with the titular monster. Gone was Peter Cushing, who in a publicity shoot was seen "handing over the reins" to the next generation, and in came a more comedic and talky take that takes in the permissive society and the British Welfare State! Sangster's movie should be viewed as a comedy with horror elements, it's clear from the outset that the makers here have tongue firmly in cheek. What else can you derive from a film that has a dismembered hand flicking the V's? Or a casual observation that Kate O'Mara has gained weight in the breast department? I kid you not, and it is damn funny.The most interesting thing about the film is the young Frankenstein himself, perfectly essayed as being a dandy egotist by Bates. He is in fact the villain of the piece. Here is a man who kills innocents with single minded glee, just so he can create life; deliciously bonkers really. The sexiness comes from O'Mara and Carlson who seem to have entered a "who has got the biggest cleavage contest", while Dennis Price of Ealing fame is wonderfully colourful as a grave robber happy to let his wife dig the graves! Yes it's a wacky movie alright. Even the monster, played by future Darth Vader David Prowse, seems to be in on the joke. Throw him a doggy chew and he'll do anything for you. I think the creature was more irked about having to wear a diaper more than anything else.Sets and costuming are still of a high standard, but this is a different Hammer Frankenstein. Fun and even a little devilish in its writing, it's not, however, one for the scare purists. 6/10

I recognised a name or two in the cast, then I saw that it was a Hammer Horror film, so I thought it was worth at least a try. Basically a younger Victor Frankenstein (Ralph Bates, replacing Peter Cushing) is the misunderstood scientist, who is determined not just to study life and the human body, but make it. With the help of some grave robbers and his anatomical knowledge, he wants to create what could be the perfect human specimen. Of course the Monster (David Prowse, the man inside Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, replacing Sir Christopher Lee) created is an aggressive thing that obeys a few orders to get meaty rewards, but ultimately it is not a perfect specimen. Also starring Kate O'Mara as Alys, Graham James as Wilhelm Kassner, Veronica Carlson as Elizabeth Heiss and Bernard Archard as Prof. Heiss. This is supposed to be a remake to Hammer's original Curse of Frankenstein, it is not counted as the sixth in the series because of this fact, and because it is a little ridiculous. Adequate!

Victor Frankenstein is a gifted but zealous medical student, researching into the mysteries of existence. Whilst on a summer break, he determines that he will create a man from the body parts of dead people and give him life. Can this madness succeed ?This is an engaging, straightforward adaptation of the classic Mary Shelley novel, almost like a colour remake of the James Whale / Boris Karloff version. When Hammer Films made The Curse Of Frankenstein in 1957, they weren't allowed to copy Jack Pierce's iconic flat-head-bolted-together look, but Prowse (alias Darth Vader) is an impressive lookalike here; a mute, stomping, creepy, destructive evil force. Despite not being Peter Cushing, Bates is excellent as the Bad Baron, giving a performance which is so direct and unflamboyant (Kenneth Branagh, please take note) as to be stylishly unstylish. He matter-of-factly kills his father, his best friend, his lover, a neighbour, and - most fiendish of all - a pet tortoise for the sake of his black-hearted work, all the while maintaining a clear, unflappably calm, pragmatic, even agreeable intellect. This was the second of five key roles Bates made for Hammer, and he is terrific in all of them (particularly Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde). The only truly original aspect of this version is the new character of the scheming lover/housekeeper Alys, played with great aplomb, a somewhat wobbly accent and a dress that's about to fall down, by O'Mara. The agreeable cast is filled out by the equally ravishing Hammer regular Carlson (check her out also in Dracula Has Risen From The Grave), a rather corpulent Price as a cheery graverobber who meets a grisly end and the always watchable Finch (Frenzy, The Tragedy Of Macbeth) who underplays it nicely in the burgermeister role which is so frequently hammed up. Co-writer, producer and director Sangster was in many ways the backbone of Hammer, penning the scripts and assisting in the production of a great many of these classic British horrors. This is one of his few directorial efforts (though he and Bates made the enjoyable Lust For A Vampire the next year) and is probably the direct, no frills, classic adaptation of the great story he wanted to make. For a tale that's been told so many times, both before and since, this is a well made, faithful and entertaining movie and one of the better versions of Shelley's groundbreaking horror masterpiece.