Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Directors:

Paul Morrissey
Antonio Margheriti

Writers:

Tonino Guerra (writer)
Paul Morrissey (writer)

Release Date:

17 March 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

We dare you to see...

Plot:

In Serbia, Baron Frankenstein lives with the Baroness and their two children. He dreams of a super-race...

Plot Keywords:

Frankenstein | Lust | Mad Scientist | Obsession | Europe

Cast

Joe Dallesandro	...	Nicholas, the stableboy
Monique van Vooren	...	Baroness Katrin Frankenstein
Udo Kier	...	Baron Frankenstein
Arno Juerging	...	Otto, the Baron's assistant
Dalila Di Lazzaro	...	Female Monster
Srdjan Zelenovic	...	Sacha / Male Monster
Nicoletta Elmi	...	Monica, the Baron's daughter
Marco Liofredi	...	Erik, the Baron's son
Liu Bosisio	...	Olga, the maid
Fiorella Masselli	...	Large prostitute
Cristina Gaioni	...	Farmer, Nicholas' girlfriend
Rosita Torosh	...	Sonia, the prostitute
Carla Mancini	...	Farmer
Imelde Marani	...	Blonde prostitute

Also Known As:

Andy Warhol's Frankenstein (USA)
Andy Warhol's Young Frankenstein
Carne per Frankenstein (Italy)
De la chair pour Frankenstein (France)
Flesh for Frankenstein (UK)
Frankenstein
Il mostro è in tavola barone Frankenstein (Italy)
The Devil and Dr. Frankenstein
The Frankenstein Experiment (USA) (pre-release title)
Up Frankenstein

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Italy | France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

France:-16 | Finland:(Banned) (1975) (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (1995) (cut) | Sweden:15 (uncut: dvd release) | New Zealand:R18 | Argentina:X (original rating) | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | USA:X | Australia:R | Norway:(Banned) (1980-1989) | Norway:18 (re-rating) (1989) | Sweden:15 (heavily cut) | UK:18 | USA:R (cut) (1975) | USA:R (re-release: 1992) | USA:X (original rating) | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Vojvodina, Serbia

Company:

Compagnia Cinematografica Champion

Trivia:

Originally filmed in 3D, although most presentations found today are in 2D.

Quotes:

Baron Frankenstein: The medical profession would love to claim my achievement as part of their own and call it a giant stride forward of medicine. But they can't. It is a giant stride forward for me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook (1991)

Udo vs. Joe: Volume 1

First, there was 1931's Frankenstein, then there were decades of sequels and remakes, everything from Bride Of Frankenstein, to Frankenstein's Castle Of Freaks. Some years later, a rebellious filmmaker named Paul Morrisey would reinvent this classic, yet again, in the form of 70's exploitation, making this one of the most mean-spirited, yet poetic horror masterpieces of the 20th Century. This is Frankenstein, presented by Andy Warhol.

As usual, a mad scientist, in his European castle, married to his eccentric sister (Monique Van Vooren) is obsessed with creating life. Baron Frankenstein, along with his assistant, Otto, search, kidnap, kill, and mutilate anyone who has the right male parts. As it turns out, Frankenstein has everything all in order, that is, except the head of the male. The (still dead) female is ready as well. Once the male is complete, they will be brought to life, and Baron can convince them get it on, hence, creating a new race of zombies, who will obviously look to Baron as their leader. Until then, the Doctor makes it a strict point to keep the female warm for his future creation. That's OK, because Joe Dallesandro is keeping the Doctor's wife/sister warm, as we speak. Joe is on to this guy, and his insane aspirations, he recognizes the head of the male creation, that's his buddy's head on that damn thing, something must be done. So, for the first time in his Warhol career, Joe is gonna do something. Whether it works or not, that may be a different story. Oh well, regardless of what happens, this is still, by far Joe's finest performance, at least there's that.

This film is just as hard-hitting as it wants to be, flaunting all kinds of gore, raunchiness, more perverted tendencies than ever, even a necro scene, this is some swell horror, I tell you. Andy Warhol's name on this swell horror, as usual, was his only connection. This one is all about Udo Kier, just a golden performance, but let's not forget Paul Morrissey for creating such a pitch-black version of the fable. What really makes Flesh For Frankenstein the definitive edition is the awkward, yet hilarious relationship between Udo Kier, and Arno Juerging. The things that come out of their mouths, absolutely priceless. It wasn't long before Morrissey created his own version of Dracula, a masterpiece as well, although, this one is better. Blood For Dracula, and Flesh For Frankenstein are perfect examples of what horror should be. The legendary classic horrors of the 30's and 40's were fine, but Paul Morrissey's X-rated bastards of horror basically gives all that stuff "the finger" which makes it all the more appealing. How Morrissey could go from directing something like Women In Revolt, to this, is beyond me. For more awsomeness from Udo Kier, check out Mark Of The Devil, and for more humorous indifference from Joe Dallesandro, check out Andy Warhol's Trash. I highly recommend this masterpiece to those who like their horror rough. 10/10