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Frankenstein: The True Story

  • TV Movie
  • 19731973
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 3h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Michael Sarrazin in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge.When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge.When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jack Smight
  • Writers
    • Christopher Isherwood(teleplay)
    • Don Bachardy(teleplay)
    • Mary Shelley(novel "Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus")
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Leonard Whiting
    • David McCallum
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jack Smight
  • Writers
    • Christopher Isherwood(teleplay)
    • Don Bachardy(teleplay)
    • Mary Shelley(novel "Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus")
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Leonard Whiting
    • David McCallum
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 48User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos53

    Jane Seymour, David McCallum, Michael Sarrazin, and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Michael Sarrazin in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Jane Seymour, Michael Sarrazin, and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    James Mason and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    James Mason in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Michael Sarrazin in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Jane Seymour and Michael Sarrazin in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Michael Sarrazin and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    James Mason and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Jane Seymour in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    Jane Seymour in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
    David McCallum, Nicola Pagett, and Leonard Whiting in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Dr. John Polidorias Dr. John Polidori
    Leonard Whiting
    Leonard Whiting
    • Dr. Victor Frankensteinas Dr. Victor Frankenstein
    David McCallum
    David McCallum
    • Dr. Henri Clervalas Dr. Henri Clerval
    Jane Seymour
    Jane Seymour
    • Agathaas Agatha…
    Nicola Pagett
    Nicola Pagett
    • Elizabeth Fanschaweas Elizabeth Fanschawe
    Michael Sarrazin
    Michael Sarrazin
    • The Creatureas The Creature
    Michael Wilding
    Michael Wilding
    • Sir Richard Fanshaweas Sir Richard Fanshawe
    Clarissa Kaye-Mason
    Clarissa Kaye-Mason
    • Lady Fanschaweas Lady Fanschawe
    • (as Clarissa Kaye)
    Agnes Moorehead
    Agnes Moorehead
    • Mrs. Blairas Mrs. Blair
    Margaret Leighton
    Margaret Leighton
    • Francoise DuValas Francoise DuVal
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Mr. Laceyas Mr. Lacey
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Chief Constableas Chief Constable
    Tom Baker
    Tom Baker
    • Sea Captainas Sea Captain
    Julian Barnes
    • Young Manas Young Man
    Arnold Diamond
    Arnold Diamond
    • Passenger in Coachas Passenger in Coach
    Yootha Joyce
    Yootha Joyce
    • Hospital Matronas Hospital Matron
    Peter Sallis
    Peter Sallis
    • Priestas Priest
    Dallas Adams
    • Felixas Felix
    • Director
      • Jack Smight
    • Writers
      • Christopher Isherwood(teleplay)
      • Don Bachardy(teleplay)
      • Mary Shelley(novel "Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character "Dr. Polidori" is not taken from Mary Shelley's novel, but was a real-life acquaintance of hers. He started to write "The Vampyre" in the same weekend that she got the idea to write "Frankenstein". The actual Polidori served as Lord Byron's doctor at the time, who mockingly referred to him as "Pollydolly", just like Clerval does in this television adaptation.
    • Goofs
      When Polidori introduces Victor to the creature in his carriage, the interior point of view shot shows a Chinese servant closing the carriage door. A split second later, in a reverse angle shot from the exterior, the servant has vanished.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Henry Clerval: You're afraid. I was afraid at first. It's the way we've been brought up. We've been brought up to fear! To fear the punishment of the gods. But Prometheus defied them.

      Dr. Victor Frankenstein: And they punished him!

      Dr. Henry Clerval: He scorned their punishment. So has every other hero that's stolen secrets from nature to give to mankind.

    • Alternate versions
      The original miniseries presentation featured a prologue with James Mason visiting the grave of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.
    • Connections
      Featured in Der phantastische Film: Frankenstein, wie er wirklich war 1 (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Come Lasses and Lads
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Arranged by Philip Martell

    User reviews48

    Review
    Top review
    Mesmerizing!
    I first saw this film on television at age 12 or 13, in black-and-white (we didn't have a color television at the time). I recall it being shown in two parts, but even in black and white and at a young age I could see it was a rather lavish production. The cast is excellent. I found the entire story fascinating and I was mesmerized by it. As with most television films of that era (prior to home video recording technology) I was afraid I'd never see it again. I was oh-so-pleasantly surprised when it was run on a premium cable network in 1997 while I was living in California! Watching it in color made it even more fascinating than before. It is certainly a departure from more "traditional" treatments of this story, which makes it even more of a true gem captured on film! The viewer receives a more graceful, romantic treatment of a fascinating story.
    helpful•23
    1
    • coloradokid719
    • Jun 22, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 5, 1976 (Uruguay)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
      • French
      • Chinese
    • Also known as
      • Frankenstein, wie er wirklich war
    • Filming locations
      • Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 5 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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