IMDb > Frankenstein (1994)
Frankenstein
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Frankenstein (1994) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4 NEW)
Frankenstein (1994) -- In this suspenseful horror tale, film legend Robert DeNiro brings a frightening realism to his portrayal of the tragic Creature created, then abandoned, by Victor Frankenstein.
Frankenstein (1994) -- When Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man he just created, the monster escapes and later swears revenge.
Frankenstein (1994) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Frankenstein (1994) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   18,046 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 12% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Kenneth Branagh
Writers (WGA):
Mary Shelley (novel)
Steph Lady (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Frankenstein on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 November 1994 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi more
Tagline:
It's Alive. more
Plot:
When Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man he just created, the monster escapes and later swears revenge. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 10 nominations more
User Comments:
Takes a big dump on all previous "Frankenstein" films from an almighty height... more (207 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (USA) (complete title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for horrific images.
Runtime:
123 min
Country:
UK | Japan | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color | Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby SR
Filming Locations:
England, UK more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Producer Francis Ford Coppola had originally planned to direct the film himself as a companion piece to Dracula (1992), but eventually stepped back to let Kenneth Branagh direct. Coppola later regretted his decision after a number of disagreements with Branagh during filming. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Elizabeth, while engulfed in flames, falls to the floor from the staircase near the end of the film, ignition fluid is visible on the floor in order to cause the flames to spread. more
Quotes:
[Walton finds the Creature weeping over Frankenstein's body]
Captain Robert Walton: Who are you?
The Creature: He never gave me a name.
[he continues to weep]
Captain Robert Walton: Why do you weep?
The Creature: He was my father.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mad About You: The City (#3.10)" (1994) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
32 out of 55 people found the following comment useful.
Takes a big dump on all previous "Frankenstein" films from an almighty height..., 3 December 2000
Author: mentalcritic from Southern Hemisphere

...it's just such a pity that this is faint praise, since this one never quite rises above the B-level in itself. All the elements for a brilliant film were in place: a perfect cast (especially De Niro as the monster), breathtaking locations, and for once, complete faithfulness to the real story. With nary a bolt or piece of green skin in sight, Mary Shelley's classic tale of anti-science terror has never looked so great.

It's just such a pity that it cannot make its mind up whether it wants to be a pure emotional drama or a straight-for-the-throat horror story. Robert De Niro lends his character(s) the right degree of emotion and subtlety, and John Cleese surprises the stuffings out of me by showing that yes, he really can act. Helena Bonham Carter gives a good performance that allows the rest of the cast something to work with, but her role is sadly underdeveloped. Unfortunately, all of these foundations are brought crashing down by Kenneth Branagh's overacting. Had the wild bursts of energy and madness been a little spaced out (as is generally the case with the mentally ill), a great deal of believability would have been salvaged. Unfortunately, his performance as Victor Frankenstein turns what could have been a modern masterpiece into a sophomoric stage play with production values, captured on celluoid.

Having said that much, it is wonderful to see that Hollywood has finally dismissed the childish imitation of Frankenstein that has plagued it since the 1930s. No more bolts, no more stupid-looking makeup, and no more idiotic poses. De Niro and Branagh bring the monster to life in such an elegant way that, in the scenes when we see the monster struggle alone, we just cannot help but feel for him. Indeed, the scenes when the monster is chased out of the town by ignoramuses who believe him to be carrying "the plague", one has to wonder who the real monsters of this story are. Speaking as a mental patient who has never to this day been properly treated, my favourite point of this film is the moment where Frankenstein confronts his creation. Hearing the "son" tell the "father" how the latter gave the former these major impulses and bursts of violent strength without teaching the poor creature how to deal with them rings so true for me that I still show this scene to the health professionals I try to educate from time to time.

If I could sum up my comments on this film in a single phrase, it would be that while we have a long way to go in realising the true horror element of this story, Kenneth Branagh's effort stands head and shoulders above the pack. Well worth having a look at, and the photography alone makes it worth owning on DVD.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (207 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Frankenstein (1994)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What happened to Henry? Birugirl
I dreamt I was the creature TheStand242
songs that represent the book jenni1137
How did they know it was her? (spoilers) deppandburtonfan
Body double? lisacamillek
The relationship of Frankenstein Bros. ja_kitty_71
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Curse of Frankenstein Frankenstein Stardust Deadly Friend Frankenstein Created Woman
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.