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Do You Prefer A Murderous Baron To A Good One?

posted 13 years ago by webfix
6 replies | jump to latest

Unlike previous depictions of the character in films and in the novel, Baron Frankenstein here is presented as an exceptionally cold blooded killer, his gentlemanly demeanour being just a superficial masking of an inherently obsessed and insidious soul. This kind of character was revisited - and how! - in the 1969 classic Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed.

Cushing's Frankenstein appeared to be quite a chameleon character: one minute oh so charming and polite, and the next a ruthless, malevolent power freak.

Do you prefer a murderous Baron Frankenstein to a good one (e.g. like the Colin Clive depection).

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[–] CountVladDracula 13 years ago

I have a soft spot for Frankenstein created Woman where the baron is actually good but kind of aloof. I think it's because for me Peter Cushing will always be the hero, Professor Van Helsing and no other persona sits rights for me in regard to his characters.

[–] DodgersRule 13 years ago

I agree. It's tough not to like Peter Cushing, bad Frankenstien or good.
It was a great bit of casting because despite it all ya wanna see him (try) again.

[–] webfix 13 years ago

Yes, I think in Frankenstein Created Woman he was his least malevolent. The two movies where he was most mean, though, were The Curse of Frankenstein and - of course - Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed.

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[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pundit-1 12 years ago

I would prefer to see Frankenstein portrayed as the real monster and his unfortunate creation as the real victim.
As was the case in Frankenstien Must Be Destroyed.

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Answer: It was trying to get away from Col.Sanders.

H.L.

[–] Skye_Reynolds 12 years ago

I still prefer the Colin Clive approach, but I think that this was the right direction for Peter Cushing and Hammer to take the character. The Victor Frankenstein of the novel never would have resorted to murder, but otherwise I think that this is the more faithful adaptation.

I still prefer him as a tragic victim of his own ambition rather than as a villainous figure, but Peter Cushing still gave an enjoyable performance. It was also a nice touch that he wasn't thoroughly possessed of evil, but rather saw murder as a necessary means to an end. Overall, I think the main change that I would have made to this film would have been in featuring more of the monster.