Frankenstein Created Woman

Susan Denberg was a Playboy Playmate in 1966, and had four screen appearances, before she went back to Europe. She becomes Dr. Frankenstein's latest subject.

Each of these films seem to get more and more elaborate as Dr. Frankenstein stretches the bounds of science. Of course, one has to believe in the existence of a soul to follow his logic, but that is his definition of life.

After her boyfriend Hans (Robert Morris) is unjustly executed for a murder committed by three spoiled rich kids, Christina (Denberg) takes her own life. But, Frankenstein works his magic and puts Hans soul into Christina and the horror begins as they take their revenge.

The fourth film of Hammer's awesome Frankenstein series, legendary director Terence Fisher's "Frankenstein Created Woman" of 1967 is another creepy and excellent Hammer gem, and my personal favorite film in the series. Movies like this are reason enough to admire both Fisher as Hammer's most important director and leading man Peter Cushing as one of the greatest Horror icons in the history of motion pictures. Once again, Cushing stars as the ingenious and very unorthodox scientist Baron Victor Frankenstein, exceedingly dedicated to the acquisition of corpses for his eerie obsession of resurrecting the dead by means of rather macabre methods...

I will not give any parts of the plot away, but I can assure that Hammer fans will not be disappointed by this one. Mad science, disfigurement, body snatching, resurrection, insanity and an adequate amount of blood, suspense and eeriness, as well as some very humorous scenes, "Frankenstein Created Woman" has it all. The movie provides the typical eerie Hammer-style score and photography, and therefore maintains the creepy and great atmosphere Hammer-fans love to see. Peter Cushing's performance as the macabre Baron is excellent as always, and beautiful Susan Denberg was a great choice for the female lead. Thorley Walters furthermore fits very well in his role of Frankenstein's colleague in (mad) science, Doctor Herz. "Frankenstein Created Woman" is a brilliant Horror-gem that comes with my highest possible recommendations. Along with the dark and gruesome "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell", this is my personal favorite of Hammer's Frankenstein series, and it also ranks among my Top 10 out of all Hammer films. This is pure Gothic Horror gold that no Horror fan could possibly afford to miss!

I like this one a lot better than the previous sequel, even though it also lacks Christopher Lee. Cushing seems more interested in the script, though, and the whole concept is more engaging. Basically, Frankenstein is now working with an aging and drunken doctor in yet another small German town, and he discovers a means to preserve a soul and place it into (of course) a dead body. This time, though, he decides to try taking the soul of his young assistant, executed for a crime he did not commit, and place it into the body of said assistant's hot young lover (Susan Denberg), after she kills herself. The new man-woman becomes dedicated to killing the men who raped her and set him up to be framed. Again, this is rather racy stuff for the material, and there's an unfortunate lack of monster makeup (except for part of the film, in which Denberg has a facial deformity), but I quite enjoy it.

Frankenstein Created Woman is a Hammer Films production that is directed by Terence Fisher. Written by Anthony Hinds under the alias of John Elder, it stars Peter Cushing, Susan Denberg, Thorley Walters, Robert Morris & Derek Fowlds. Cinematography is by Arthur Grant and the music score by James Bernard.

Baron Frankenstein (Cushing) is dabbling with transference of the soul, when Christina (Denberg), a disfigured local who girl commits suicide after her lover Hans (Morris) is wrongfully executed, comes his way for revival, it sets the wheels in motion for violent and bloody revenge.

Bonkers plot and bonkers movie, but one that's well regarded in critical circles and by fans of Hammer Horror in general, and even one Martin Scorsese has it on his favourite movies list. Reworking Bride Of Frankenstein into a metaphysical based tale is close to being a genius idea, even if at times it's difficult to know if it's meant to be funny or not. The thematics most certainly are intelligent and well played out, not just the notion of transferring a peasant boy's soul into that of a former cripple who now looks like (and is) a playboy model, but also class snobbery, corrupt justice system, bullying and of course revenge. All crammed into a 90 minute movie.

However, some scenes are just too daft to take seriously if they were meant to be so in the first place? After crafting bona fide horror classics like Curse Of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy, Terence Fisher owes Hammer Horror fans absolutely nothing. But gauging his efforts here is tough to do, for the blend isn't quite right. Moody and almost dreamlike in tone, it's also low on production values and, Cushing excepted, performed all very hammy by the overacting cast. But again, that may well have been the remit when shooting began?

It's a safe recommend to Hammer fans because it's entertaining on either front, as a comedy or a dark little chiller. But personally I wouldn't be surprised to see it rated from anything between 1/10 to 10/10 across internet sites because it's really an odd piece of Brit cinema. So I'll sit on the fence and go 7/10 for it.

Dr. Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) has discovered how to contain the soul of somebody after they had died. His helper Hans (Robert Morris) is (unjustly) found guilty of a murder committed by three other men and guillotined. Hans' girlfriend Christina (Susan Denberg) kills herself. Frankenstein saves Hans' soul and puts it in her. She comes out as a beautiful woman but has Hans thirst for revenge...

As you can see logic does not play a strong role in this picture. For one thing Denberg is introduced as a dark haired, horribly scarred woman. After the "operation" she's blond-haired and looks perfect! Also, when she goes out to kill the men responsible for Hans death, she seems to know EXACTLY where they'll be (I love how she just guessed that Johann would be in a coach and it would break down). Still, Hammer films were never strong on logic so this can be forgiven. Also there's some dreadful day-for-night shooting (another Hammer trademark). Despite all this I DO love this film. It moves quickly and has some pretty bloody scenes (for 1967). There's also a flash of nudity in a bedroom scene.

The acting is very good. Thorley Walters gives a good performance as Dr. Hertz; Morris is actually pretty good as Hans; even Denberg isn't bad (although her voice was dubbed). Best of all, of course, is Peter Cushing. He plays Frankenstein to perfection showing the doctors obsession with creating life.

One of the better Hammer Frankenstein movies. Just turn off your mind and enjoy. I give it an 8.