Left a lasting impression. - Frankenstein: The True Story (1976) Discussion

[–] pianocellolove 18 years ago

Absolutely. I can still recall how real this film was to me as well as The Exorcist. The Omen didn't quite have the same impact as the other two though. Frankenstein in this film is quite memorable.

PCL

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[–] dorothia1 18 years ago

I too think this movie has an impact, and i remember when her head falls off. as a child that left an impression on me.

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[–] patti3065 18 years ago

Holy cow, I thought I was the only one who was "freaked out" by this movie. The woman's head falling off kept me awake many nights as a kid. It still gives me the shivers.

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[–] dorothia1 18 years ago

I ALSO REMEMBER SHE WAS WEARING A BLACK NECKLACE WHICH WAS PULLED OFF, AND THATS HOW HER HEAD FELL OFF, I GUESS THE NECKLACE WAS HOLDING ON HER HEAD? IT ALWAYS BOTHERED ME NOT KNOWING FOR SURE IF THATS HOW IT HAPPENED OR NOT? IF ANYBODY CAN HELP ME WITH THE NECKLACE ISSUE, IT WILL BE APPRECIATED...

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[–] Gary-161 18 years ago

The black necklace was to cover the stitches in her neck as her head had been grafted onto a different body. Frankenstein's monster pulled off the necklace. Everyone in the ballroom gasps at the sight of the scar. Then he decapitates her by pulling the head apart from the body.

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[–] Etherdave 18 years ago

I thoroughly enjoyed this version of the story, especially the fact that the Creature was so 'beautiful' at the moment of its creation. Well-made for television presentation, I consider this version still to be better than most that proceeded it.

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[–] dorothia1 18 years ago

Thank you for that feedback, you answered a question which was bugging me for over 30 years. I remember the necklace being pulled off, and the head fell off. I dont remember anyone pulling her head from her body, then again i was only a toddler when i seen this movie. It stayed with me ever since! I am ordering the movie this week, so i will be anxious to finally watch it and see a movie which i been carrying with me for a long time. I remember alot of people in the ballroom. I could of swore i seen dracula, or someone who resembles one of those horror monsters other then frankenstein. I guess i will see for myself soon.

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[–] Etherdave 18 years ago

I was shocked by the decapitation sequence at the time because that sort of thing wasn't being done regularly on television. But I remember a Hammer Films production in which Dracula decapitates the Frankenstein monster during some cinematically-pointless struggle between those two creatures. Is it possible that the TV head-pulling is an hommage to that film?

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] crap-201 17 years ago

Here's what I remember: the monster was GORGEOUS at the beginning (I think that's when I knew I was gay); the spots growing!; the monster stabbing himself with a piece of glass or something and then falling off the cliff; I always thought he squeezed her head off, but now I'm seeing he actually "pulled" it off; and, of course, the avalanche!

I was 6 years old when this played on tv and have always remembered it. I can't seem to figure out why it intrigued me so much, but I too am so grateful that I can experience it again... tonight acutally. The memories from my youth will never be the same once I see it again (through the eyes of a somewhat mature 39 year old) but I'll have to live with that. I'm very excited.

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[–] xianplanet 17 years ago

"I was shocked by the decapitation sequence at the time because that sort of thing wasn't being done regularly on television. But I remember a Hammer Films production in which Dracula decapitates the Frankenstein monster during some cinematically-pointless struggle between those two creatures. Is it possible that the TV head-pulling is an hommage to that film? "

Your referring to a horrible film called " Dracula Vs. Frankenstein". It is certainly NOT a Hammer film.

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[–] Etherdave 17 years ago

Fair enough. Several such motifs running through the film reminded me of Hammer films and their preoccupation with this subject (The Curse of Frankenstein, Tales of Frankenstein, The Revenge of Frankenstein, The Evil of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Created Woman, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, The Horror of Frankenstein, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell) but I don't want to give any production company undue credit for another company's hard work. I just wanted to know more about the hommage-angle that may be a part of this film.

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[–] crooow-2 15 years ago

The reason that some folks in this discussion remember the head falling off or popping off is that some of the television versions cut the scene down. I had remembered seeing it on TV and the monster pulling the head off. Then I saw it many years later and they just showed him pulling off the necklace and then the head hitting the floor. I finally got the full-length DVD and indeed, the monster pulls the head off.

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[–] rjkral 15 years ago

I remember seeing this film on TV as a kid also and it really stayed with me all these years. I bought a copy of it recently. I was surprized that some of it is so bad, but also pleasantly relieved that a lot of it really IS that good. It's the story that works so well. Sure it's not really that faithful, but the story really brings you in to feel for the creature, clever that he is beautiful in the beginning, as if an innocent baby about to be destroyed slowly by the evils of the world. There's a lot of great themes in this version brought out really well. I think that's what makes it work and what endures. Eventually I read the book, and was astounded, it's truly brilliant and very poetic.

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[–] abrahamfromann 17 years ago

Wow, so many like me!

I was nine when this played on TV and like the rest of you, freaked me out and gave ne nightmares.

I haven't seen it since it aired, but I remember the arm being sawed off and the poor soul screaming! I remember it moving around and Victor finally pouring acid on it. I also seem to remember it rested in a tank, and it had super strength.

I remember the head popping off and rolling on the floor.

The monster stabbing himself with the glass and jumping off the cliff and the fall seemed to last forever.

Great version. I might have to see this one again.

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[–] Mangog 17 years ago

What really freaked me out about this movie when i saw it '73 (i was six), was the idea that a person could die (Clerval), have their brian removed and put into a body made from corpses and be helpless as things go awry. Clerval seemed to be the creatures subconscious. Having recently watched the dvd release, there's a kind Dorian Grey like thing with victor and the creature. Victor sees his reflection in the creature and as the creature turns ugly on the outside, so to does victor on the inside.

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[–] zkindley 17 years ago

I remember watching this when I was about 10 years old...as I recall, it was around Christmas time and presented in two parts. I still remember the arm crawling across the floor and the depacitation scene (it seems everyone does). Just watched the DVD last night. Not my favorite Frankenstein but still very goood

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[–] QuarrellaDeVil 17 years ago

I remember watching this when I was about 10 years old...as I recall, it was around Christmas time and presented in two parts. I still remember the arm crawling across the floor ...

I, too, remember watching it late in the year -- I see its release date was 11/30/73 -- when I was six, getting to stay up late while being babysat. I honestly don't recall much of the second part, but the arm with a life of its own has stayed with me in my dreams for years. I just picked up the DVD last week, and watched the movie last night for the first time since I saw it originally. I joked with the wife about the mobile arm and that I'd probably be wetting the bed later.

Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I really enjoyed this one. Not "The True Story" -- has a "honestly true to Mary Shelley's book" version yet been made? -- but I loved the performances by the major players, especially the sympathetic version of the Monster done by Michael Sarrazin, and James Mason? What an absolutely great bad guy, one that you could watch over and over again and still want more. Mrs. QDV was also peeking over my shoulder to see Jane Seymour: The Early Years, given that she's a Doctor Quinn nut.

Aside: When watching Michael Sarrazin, it's hard to not remember the "VD Clinic" sketch he did on Saturday Night Live a few years later.

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[–] profh-1 15 years ago

There are 2 versions that actually do follow the book: Dan Curtis' tv adaptation, FRANKENSTEIN (1973), and the European feature TERROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1975). General opinion is that the '75 film is more faithful, but that the '73 is a better watch. The '73 was done on a very low budget and shot on videotape, but if you're a fan of things like DARK SHADOWS and DOCTOR WHO this should be no problem, as the story and the characters are far more important than the visuals.

On the other hand, the '73 film is the only FRANKENSTEIN movie that ever made me CRY!

*****SPOILERS!!!!!*****

FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973), which does not live up to its title (heh) is an interesting variation that pays tribute to a variety of sources in both the Universal & Hammer series, while adding a lot of new twists (which Hammer had a tradition of). I must say, though, that watching it back-to-back with Dan Curtis' film, I got the feeling of "different for the sake of being different", and not always in a logical fashion. It looks good, and has many clever ideas, but the actual writing & execution leaves a bit to be desired.

The few minor changes I noted in the Dan Curtis version either made the story MORE compelling, or were done purely due to budget restrictions (example, the climax comes only minutes after the wedding and murder).

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[–] vjetorix 17 years ago

there's a new book on amazon.com called TELEVISION FRIGHT FILMS OF THE 1970S that talks about this film.

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[–] houndog722000 17 years ago

I remember watching this movie when I was about seven or eight, and probably again in reruns. It was very engaging and left a big impression on me. I wish they would run it again, I'd love to see it again.

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[–] jpoo 17 years ago

I remember this movie too! I have been trying to figure it out lately, what was that Frankenstein movie I saw on TV as a kid! I vaguely remember the hand thing, I now remember (sort of) the scene in the ballroom where the woman has her head pulled off. And I always remember, he was so good looking in the beginning of the movie, and then those spots started appearing.

Now here is the scene that left the biggest impression on me ... that fact that no one else mentioned it makes me wonder if it was in this movie as well, or if I'm remembering wrong. Anyway, does anyone remember a scene on a ship in a storm, and they tied some guy to a rope and hoisted him way up in the air -- I don't know, were they sending him up to the crows nest or something? And he's screaming because he doesn't want to be up there. And then lightning hits him and basically rips all the flesh off his body, all that is left is a skeleton of him. That scared the CRAP out of me! I was petrified of lightning after that. Do I have the right movie for that? Does anyone else remember that?

JP

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[–] Mangog 17 years ago

It's the same movie. James Mason was the guy hoisted on a rope and hit by lighting.

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[–] fullmoon7461 17 years ago

"My name is Legion for we are many" I believe is the first thing the Creature says.. I was 12 when this aired and it's always been my FAVE Frankenstein film.. and while it isn't the truest to the novel (that would be the TBS version from early 90's with Patrick Bergin and Randy Quaid), but it's the most memorable and visually stunning..

as everyone has mentioned images we all saw over 30 years ago are still with us.. that says something..

great film, hope this is available on DVD or online

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[–] catalina_caesar 17 years ago

Actually, the first thing the Creature says is "Beautiful."

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[–] jimscape 15 years ago

Until I was watching films with Michael Sarrazin I had never known which actor had played Frankenstein's Monster. I also remember being freaked out by the movie as I was only 7 when mom and I saw it. My dad was in the hospital for weeks and we were on our own for the first time. I remember the arm moving around as well as Jane Seymour's decapitation.

I've always liked her I'm not sure if the Bond film came out before but I believe so. We had seen that in the cinema.

Other films that had me very frightened in the time period were The Godfather ( I was six when we saw it in the cinema. The haunting music did it for me. That and the horse's head.

The Excorcist but not as much as Jaws which I saw when I was 9. I was afraid to take a bath for quite awhile and couldn't finish watching it after Quint bought it. I had to hide out in the back seat of the drive in.

I remember being dragged to every adult film (R) because living in NYC my mom didn't trust sitters with reason. NYC wasn't a nice place in the early 70s.

The music of a film had a lot to do with how it affected me IE Jaws and GF. It's ironic there was more graphic violence in GF II and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Oh.. Clockwork Orange was a bit scary. I didn't see it until '72 mom freaked out during the rape scene and tried to cover my eyes. I wonder if it's healthy to watch films like this before 10 years of age. I was mature for my age but they did traumatize me to a point at the time even though I knew they were studio productions.

Death Wish also had a rape scene which disturbed me quite a bit.

Just my two cents. These days I don't think children are let in even with their parents to a Restricted film.

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[–] gc123517 14 years ago

Thirty-six years later and I still remember Michael Sarrazin as the "beautiful" creature!

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[–] theoriginalskinnyrinny 13 years ago

I would have been 6 when I first watched this with my sister and I can remember that horribly slow tearing sound when Prima met her fate. The other bit was James Mason's hands, which made me feel oddly sad for him being so helpless.

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[–] shempXIV 13 years ago

I JUST WATCHED THE DVD last night...I remember scenes from my high school daze & I recall (from last night) that I was surprised it showed as much violence & cleavage as it was on TV in 1973!!!

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[–] denise1234 10 years ago

My first little girl idol crush was on Michael Sarrazin, after watching this film.

I have since seen almost every film he ever made.

RIP to a truly *beautiful* man, gone too soon ~

~~ If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story ~ Orson Welles

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