The Curse of Frankenstein

With their film adaptation of Shelley’s story, the British Hammer Studios cemented their reputation as pioneers of modern horror, though they initially drew the skepticism of critics: Until then, horror had been presented only in stylish black and white—now, for the first time in color, all the (few) blood-red details from the mad scientist’s laboratory were brought to the screen. He seems obsessed with the idea of bringing the dead back to life and, to the suspicion of his fatherly scientist friend, procures the corpse of an executed murderer for this purpose. The menace, however, comes less from the unwillingly reanimated corpse and more from Baron Frankenstein, who acts with cold-blooded ruthlessness and a complete lack of reason. Iconic!
(Florian Widegger)