Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell

Gloriously vivid in all its gothic splendour, not to mention the gore factor, FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL marked the final chapter in Hammer’s Frankenstein canon. Sadly, it was also director Terence Fisher’s last film who, at the time of filming, was already suffering from poor health. And yes, it was also the final appearance of Peter Cushing as the Baron, having already appeared in five Frankenstein films prior. So this really is a bit of nostalgia for fans of Hammer Horror.

Although FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL was completed in 1972, it didn’t hit cinema screens until two years later and sadly, wasn’t the expected box office smash, presumably because at that time, people’s tastes had changed when it came to cinema releases. The appetite for more action-laden fare with special effects quenched the thirst for dialogue-laden products in the vein of more traditional and ‘old fashioned’ flicks.
Central character (apart from Cushing’s Baron Frankenstein) is Dr. Simon Helder (Shane Briant), a young and ambitious doctor who is an avid admirer of Frankenstein’s work but finds himself in trouble with the law when a copper discovers eyeballs in a jar and so forth. Before he knows it, Helder finds himself accused of body-snatching and sorcery and is sentenced to five years in an insane asylum to reflect on his dastardly deeds. Said insane asylum is run by one Adolf Klauss (John Stratton) who is up there with his patients in the lunacy stakes, and that’s an understatement. Cue for Baron Frankenstein aka Dr. Carl Victor, a long-term ‘resident’ in the asylum who enjoys a lot of privileges (that is to say conducting experiments) as holds evidence against Klaus which could compromise his position.

It’s only a question of time before Helder, who is given a special welcome by Klauss’ two sadistic assistants with a hose and gallons of icy cold water, meet and join forces. By chance and with the help of mute Sarah (Madeleine Smith), nicknamed the ‘Angel’ (who happens to be the daughter of Klauss, who molested his own flesh and blood years ago), Helder discovers Frankenstein’s latest experiment, the hulk-like Herr Schneider (David Prowse) - an ape-like creature subjected to horrendous physical experiments and yet, with enough pathos to reduce Angel to tears. In fact, Schneider isn’t the only inmate displaying pathos and we get to meet quite a few unfortunate souls. As the experiments turn every more gory, we know before Helder and the Baron know that things will end very badly indeed…

Shane Briant, who, with is long blond locks and androgynous locks looks like a glam rock star in the making, was tipped to take over from Cushing to continue with dastardly experiments in future Frankenstein films though sadly, it was not to be due to the film having been poorly received at the time. That’s a shame because Briant, who already impressed us with Hammer’s ‘Straight on till Morning’ and ‘Demons of the Mind’ (both 1972) showed huge potential. Peter Cushing (who at the time of filming was ill and looks quite frankly cadaverous, sporting a buffoon-like wig) plays the Baron with apparent humanity and concern though it's all a deception, for underneath lurks the same icy cold and quite frankly mad scientist he portrayed in the previous Frankenstein films.

The Blu-ray restoration is fantastic to look at, the set designs impressive. Plenty of bonus material including audio commentaries, interviews, Terence Fisher profile, an appreciation of the film by David Huckvale, further contributions by author Jonathan Rigby and journalist/writer David Miller, stills gallery and more.