Bride of Frankenstein

In 1931 Mary Shelley’s terrifying story Frankenstein became an instant classic on screen. Four years later, director James Whale came back to film the sequel Bride of Frankenstein. Which would soon follow its previous film in becoming a classic in the film industry. Following Whale back for the sequel, we have Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein and Boris Karloff as the monster, with a few other characters.



The sequel picks up where the original leaves off. Although, the monster still lives under the burning house and our mad scientist, Dr. Frankenstein, has turned over a new leaf and realizes his creation of the monster is an abomination as he struggles to forgive himself. In the sequel, we do have a new, even madder, scientist, played brilliantly by Ernest Thesiger, named Dr. Pretorius. Dr. Pretorius has heard about Dr. Frankenstein’s creation, and with a few experiments with creations of his own (which was totally from left field) and now is on a quest to work with the doctor in making a mate for the monster. The movie plays on to show how the monster has no place in this world and how Dr. Pretorius will stop at nothing to conceive a bride for the monster, while Dr. Frankenstein has no choice to help to save the life of his loved one, Elizabeth played by Valerie Hobson who replaced Mae Clarke from the original.



Although this movie is to be watched to get the classic horror feel of cinema magic, this reviewer must also mention of the hidden messages and themes that go on unanswered through the film. Including; who actually is the bride of Frankenstein? The female monster, or Dr. Pretorius acting as the counter part in the making of the monster with Dr. Frankenstein, or could it even be Elizabeth? What underlying message could be said about the scene with the monster and the blind old man? Some theories are to say that this plays with homosexuality. Many questions and theories can be thought out throughout the movie that pulls on our curiosity that makes you want to watch it over and over again.



Bride of Frankenstein is unquestionably hailed as an instant horror classic, brining about the full story of one of the most terrifying and influential monsters of all time. With its unfailing way of giving a viewer the gift of classic horror while opening up one’s own curiosity of story telling, I fully recommend renting, buying, borrowing, or whatever way (short of illegal matters) you can to get a hold of this film, turning down the lights, and relaxing on the couch next to your significant other to enjoy a horror movie the original way they were meant to be seen.