Frankenstein Films: Modernizing and Recirculating

Ben Outland

ERH-421WX

LTC Ticen

10/19/18

Author’s Introduction:

The intent of this essay was to discuss the impact of Frankenstein in popular culture. A major motif we have looked at during this semester is the way that the novel has come to be misunderstood over its 200 year lifespan. To examine some of the ways in which this happened, I studied Frankenstein movie clips. These clips show how the novel has been re-imagined to fit into the expectations and desires of modern cultures. I decided to focus on movie clips rather than other mediums. I felt that movies are one of the most popular modes for bringing Shelley’s classic back to life, and resonate with the most contemporary audiences. The essay below is my discussion on how movies have revitalized popular culture’s understanding of the novel.

Frankenstein Films: Modernizing and Recirculating

One of the most impressive aspects of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein has been its profound ability to retain a lasting appeal through its 200-year lifespan. Besides its themes, which continue to appeal to audiences even today, the novel’s lore has grown and progressed through countless modern renditions of Shelley’s haunting story. Though these renditions have resulted in stereotyping and oversight of many important themes, from comics, TV ads, plays, film, and more, Frankenstein’s legacy has lived on, resulting in the creation of a universally recognized cultural icon.

The genre of film was an impossible feat at the time of the novel’s original publication, and re-imaginations of Frankenstein’s story have captivated audiences since Boris Karloff first brought the creature to life on the modern big screen in 1931. The understanding of the story has been revised and kept in cultural circulation through films such as 1931’s Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), and even Tim Burton’s animated take, Frankenweenie (2012). These adaptations accomplish this feat by re-imagining many of the novel’s characters, and continuing to fit film adaptations to the expectations and desires of modern audiences.

Perhaps the most quintessential and well-known renditions of Frankenstein, Universal pictures smash hit Frankenstein (1931) is responsible for creating many of the common modern Frankenstein stereotypes. While the film may not be fully true to the original novel, the film was a hit with critics and audiences, and is important for preserving the popularity of the story. The film boiled Frankenstein down to a more simplistic horror story, cutting out a lot of the details and romantic-era fluff present in the original novel. Details that explained the creature’s motives had to be cut to fit the mold of a simple scary story with a clearly evil antagonist. The filmmakers did this by changing the story in many ways, one of which was having the brain of a murderer accidentally be put into the creature, creating exigency for the monsters murdering spree. One of the most notable aspects of the film was the portrayal of the creature, who lost his intelligence and athleticism and became a groaning and lumbering monster. Played by Boris Karloff and fitted with the standard neck bolts, this version of the creature became the stereotype, and is taken to be official by those who only have a mainstream knowledge of Frankenstein. The clip above shows one of the films most famous scenes, with Victor declaring “its alive!” The clip also shows the film’s portrayal of a new character, Victor’s lab assistant Igor, who conveniently was responsible for putting the murderer’s brain into the creature. Since this production, Igor has been in most Frankenstein productions, though he was not in the original novel. Elements such as showing the lighting striking the creature to bring it to life, and exaggerating the sanity of Victor are also deviations from the novel, but proved to be a success with viewers and helped keep Frankenstein’s story popular with a new audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl5obUToW8k

After many reboots cruised off the popularity of the 1931 Frankenstein rendition, Hollywood decided it wise to invest a massive 45 million into a new screen adaptation of the novel. This version, directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Robert De Niro as the creature, was titled Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and attempted to remain true to the original novel. The film was a box office success, (112M) and though some artistic licensure was taken to appeal to modern viewers, it still brought many concepts from the novel to a wide and possibly uninformed audience. In contrast with the 1931 adaptation, the film brings back the creatures intelligence, includes clothing and sets true to the story’s time period, showcases the sublime landscapes, and features important characters often left out in Frankenstein films, such as Robert Walton. Despite these elements, the original novel was criticized at its publication for being blasphemous, and the “R” rated 1994 version attempts to shock audiences once again. Up against modern film and horror fans who have been desensitized to gore and macabre, the film dramatizes many of these aspects. In the clip above, the creature is shown ripping out the still beating heart of Victor’s fiance Elizabeth. Dramatic and gory scenes like this showcase what is required for a modern take on the novel to be successful —  the film remains true to the original, but is able to keep Frankenstein in cultural circulation by utilizing the latest Hollywood techniques that modern viewers are accustomed to.

Another film adaptation that has revised popular understanding and provided for the continued cultural circulation of Frankenstein is Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie (2012). The film once again proves investors faith in the continued success of producing more Frankenstein spin-off films. In an atmosphere where Frankenstein has been reproduced so many times, often following the same cliches, Frankenweenie creatively re-imagines the story in an entirely new way.

The film follows the general story from the novel, but playfully features a young kid bringing to life his dog rather than an adult reanimating a human corpse. The story brings Frankenstein back to popular circulation by using the popular mode of Pixar-esqe animation, and reaches children, a new audience for the story. Including many of the novel’s details such as Victor’s education and the consequences of his actions, the story is brought to life for an audience that largely wasn’t able access it previously. The movie revises popular understandings of the novel for parents too,  highlighting themes in a new light, and brings in familiar characters from past renditions such as Igor and the bride of Frankenstein. The film stands alone from other adaptations, but calls back to famous interpretations, as seen in the black and white used in Frankenweenie paying homage to the first 1931 film. The clip above is also a call back to 1931’s Frankenstein,  with Victor calling out “you’re alive!” A further reaching deviation from most renditions, the film shows that Frankenstein is so universal that it can be produced in this off the wall way with success. The large box office profit (39M budget, 81.5M Box Office)  is a testament to the brand power of the sheer name “Frankenstein;” audiences have failed to get tired of Frankenstein productions yet.

Film has enabled creators to recreate Mary Shelley’s timeless novel in ways that could never have been foreseen upon its initial release. The big screen has allowed for animated versions of the tale, impressive makeup and effects that bring to life the scenes written on the pages, new characters, and more. While film adaptations may tend to deviate from the original novel adding or removing characters, changing plot elements, and dismissing important themes, they also have allowed for Frankenstein’s monster to become one of the most recognizable characters in history. Most films are still imbued with important aspects of the novel such as the dangers of technology, playing God, hubris, Gothic tradition, and more. Frankenstein films have continued to keep the legacy of Frankenstein alive, and there will be many more exciting adaptations of the novel to come.

Work Cited

Frankenstein. Dir. James Whale. Perf. Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke. Universal Pictures, 1931.

Frankenweenie. Dir. Tim Burton. Perf. Winona Ryder, Catherin O’Hara, Martin Short. Walt Disney Pictures, 2012.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. Perf. Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hulce. TriStar Pictures, 1994.