The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Review - Dylan McCully

Written by Dylan McCully, 10/27/22

Dylan McCully's Cinema: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls521125877/

It's hard to think of a great sequel. Most end up much worse than their predecessor - only created to make a quick buck. Once in a while, though, a sequel can improve upon the original concept, which is what James Whale's Bride of Frankenstein does better than any sequel before or after it. KARLOFF, as he is billed, returns to portray Frankenstein's Monster, who is actually the most human character in this movie. If the original Frankstein movie explored how society will react if a monster is brought upon it, even a nice one, Bride of Frankenstein explores how a "monster" feels when it is unwanted.

Starting right where Frankenstein ends off, the Monster is still alive. As it turns out, Dr. Frankenstein is also still alive and is returned to his fiancee Elizabeth. Frankenstin meets with another doctor, Pretorius, who wants to create the titual Bride of Frankenstein. There are some funny but actually pretty good special effects in this scene - miniature people in tiny bottles. The Monster saves a woman from drowning, but as she sees him shes screams and the Monster gets shot at and captured. He eventually escapes into the woods and discovers a blind old man playing violin alone in a cabin. The old man teaches the Monster words like 'friend' and good' before some hunters try to catch the Monster again. As Pretorius and Frankenstein create a mate for the Monster, the Monster comes to terms with his reality. What will happen when the Monster meets his bride?

The only true horror of The Bride of Frankenstein is the horror of society. The message from Bride of Frankenstein still rings true to this day. My favorite scene will always be the blind man treating the Monster with kindness and becoming friends. It gets emotional unlike its predecessor and shows the range of Karloff as an actor. In the last film he had an intimidating presence but had a kind heart. In Bride of Frankenstein we sympathize with him through his experiences of rejection. The film is more legendary than the original: the visuals are iconic and the story will resonate forever. The Bride of Frankenstein is a highlight of cinema, and gets the Dylan Seal of Approval. 8/10