Monsters and cinema have gone hand-in-hand since the early days. Silent films had monsters (see. Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari), and with the advent of sound it was only natural to keep it going. Monster movies could go from making you imagine the sound of the scare to hearing it. It made it so the screams the viewer hears are not only their own. Monster movies connect with film fans because they're unique and pique the interest in all of us that is the fear of the unknown.
The original Frankenstein is loosely based on the novel published by Mary Shelly in 1818. The film deviates dramatically from the book. The film depicts the Monster (for the record, the scientist who creates the Monster is Frankenstein) as an evil, brainless fiend. The novel depicts the Monster as a curious, somewhat intelligent, but extremely misunderstood creature. The Monster is not truly a danger to all around him, but the public's fear of his features often led to violent incidents. The film makes the Monster out to be exactly that. He kills out of anger and confusion. In a way, it makes sense. Most films in the early years did not focus on sympathetic antagonists. It was as simple as good and bad.
Frankenstein has been done in various forms over the years. The sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein is considered one of the penultimate horror movies ever made. A faithful retelling of the novel was adapted by Kenneth Branagh in 1994 and starred Robert De Niro. Perhaps the best Frankenstein movie was the least serious adaptation, Albert Brooke's Young Frankenstein, which was a comedy. Regardless, the Monster is and will always be an icon in movie history. One of cinemas greatest and earliest cult characters. Perhaps one day someone can bring it back to life. Then the film world can once again utter the words, "It's alive."
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