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Gods and Monsters

  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
31K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Brendan Fraser and Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:21
1 Video
52 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
The last days of Frankenstein (1931) director James Whale are explored.The last days of Frankenstein (1931) director James Whale are explored.The last days of Frankenstein (1931) director James Whale are explored.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
31K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bill Condon
  • Writers
    • Christopher Bram(novel "Father of Frankenstein")
    • Bill Condon(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ian McKellen
    • Brendan Fraser
    • Lynn Redgrave
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bill Condon
  • Writers
    • Christopher Bram(novel "Father of Frankenstein")
    • Bill Condon(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ian McKellen
    • Brendan Fraser
    • Lynn Redgrave
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 246User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 38 wins & 33 nominations total

    Videos1

    Gods And Monsters
    Trailer 2:21
    Gods And Monsters

    Photos52

    Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Ian McKellen and Rosalind Ayres in Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Brendan Fraser and Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Brandon Kleyla as "Young James Whale"
    Ian McKellen at an event for Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)
    Gods and Monsters (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ian McKellen
    Ian McKellen
    • James Whaleas James Whale
    Brendan Fraser
    Brendan Fraser
    • Clayton Booneas Clayton Boone
    Lynn Redgrave
    Lynn Redgrave
    • Hannaas Hanna
    Lolita Davidovich
    Lolita Davidovich
    • Bettyas Betty
    David Dukes
    David Dukes
    • David Lewisas David Lewis
    Kevin J. O'Connor
    Kevin J. O'Connor
    • Harryas Harry
    Mark Kiely
    Mark Kiely
    • Dwightas Dwight
    Jack Plotnick
    Jack Plotnick
    • Edmund Kayas Edmund Kay
    Rosalind Ayres
    Rosalind Ayres
    • Elsa Lanchesteras Elsa Lanchester
    Jack Betts
    Jack Betts
    • Boris Karloffas Boris Karloff
    Matt McKenzie
    Matt McKenzie
    • Colin Cliveas Colin Clive
    Todd Babcock
    Todd Babcock
    • Leonard Barnettas Leonard Barnett
    Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy
    Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy
    • Princess Margaretas Princess Margaret
    Brandon Kleyla
    Brandon Kleyla
    • Young Whaleas Young Whale
    Pamela Salem
    • Sarah Whaleas Sarah Whale
    Michael O'Hagan
    • William Whaleas William Whale
    David Millbern
    David Millbern
    • Dr. Payneas Dr. Payne
    Amir AboulEla
    Amir AboulEla
    • The Monsteras The Monster
    • Director
      • Bill Condon
    • Writers
      • Christopher Bram(novel "Father of Frankenstein")
      • Bill Condon(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There are five original James Whale drawings in this movie.
    • Goofs
      The Eagle Globe and Anchor on Clay's lighter at the top of the movie is backwards.
    • Quotes

      James Whale: Ma'am, may I introduce Mr Clayton Boone, my gardener.

      Clayton Boone: How do you do? Clay Boone.

      Princess Margaret: Quite. I adore gardens.

      James Whale: He's never met a princess, only queens.

    • Crazy credits
      The character name "Boris Karloff" has the 'TM' symbol next to it, meaning it's trademarked.
    • Connections
      Edited into She's Alive! Creating the Bride of Frankenstein (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Just Might Be Tonight
      Written by Spencer Proffer and Steve Plunkett

      Performed by Johnny Spark

      Produced & Arranged by Spencer Proffer and Steve Plunkett

    User reviews246

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Beautiful and subtle
    The plot summary for Gods and Monsters states that it follows the last days of horror director James Whale, but it shouldn't be thought of as a biopic; it manages to avoid almost every pitfall suffered by most movies of that genre, except for one - predictability. The film is very predictable every step of the way, even if you know absolutely nothing about Whale's life or death, you can tell very early on exactly how it's going to end. It doesn't matter, though, because Gods and Monsters isn't about the story; it's an art-house piece and a character study, an exploration of a complex personality and, above all, a remarkably beautiful film.

    Like any biographical film, Gods and Monsters relies heavily on one powerful lead actor; Ian McKellen gives one of the best performances of his career as James Whale, with whom he clearly felt a certain bond. McKellen puts his whole into the film and creates real sympathy for Whale. Fantastic as he is, though, it's not a one man show; gorgeous editing that manages to organically combine flashbacks with loving references to Whale's own early films, creates a strong sense of atmosphere that Whale himself would have been proud of. Gods and Monsters is a natural companion piece to Ed Wood and Shadow of the Vampire, but it's by far the most brooding, subtle, thought-provoking one of the trio. As for supporting cast - Lynn Redgrave is fantastic in a small but memorable part as Whale's maid; Brendan Fraser, on the other hand, plays a very generic character, mostly there as an avatar for the viewer, and though his performance is decent, it's not by any means impressive, and he gets a little too much screen time, taking the film down just a notch from masterpiece status.
    helpful•9
    0
    • itamarscomix
    • Aug 18, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Gods and Monsters
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hungarian
    • Also known as
      • The Father of Frankenstein
    • Filming locations
      • Arden Villa - 1145 Arden Road, Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Lions Gate Films
      • Showtime Networks
      • Flashpoint (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,451,628
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $75,508
      • Nov 8, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,451,628
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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