Review: Frankenstein Unbound (2009)
By William Pattison
For Horror Bob’s Blog
This time I’m reviewing Roger Corman ‘s incredible film
adaptation of Brian W Aldris’ Frankenstein novel.
The ultimate weapon, which was meant to be safe for
humanity, produces global side-effects, including time-slides and
disappearances. The scientist behind the project and his car are transported
from the year 2031 to 1817's Switzerland, where he finds Dr. Victor
Frankenstein and his contemporaries…Lord Byron, Percy Shelly, and Mary Shelly, who
is writing her novel…
This film was a labor of love for for Corman, who fell in
love with Aldis’ novel. But, the thing was that Corman didn’t want to have to
do this film on a shoestring budget, so he pulled his resources for a ten year
battle to get this story on the big screen in all its glory. In the end this is
this amazing artist’s greatest achievment, which is a lot to say about the guy
who made Vincent Price and Jack Nickelson stars and brought us his incredible
adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe. But, this time he had the budget he wanted and
could fully bring his and Brian W Aldis’ Frankenstein tale to life.
With his budget he was able to get John Hurt as the
unfortunate scientist Joseph Duccanan as
well as having the brilliant casting of Raul Julia as Victor Frankenstein. As
well he had ridget Fonda as Mary Shelly and a wonderful performance by Nick
Brimble as the Frankenstein monster.
The monster and bride design is outstanding. The monster
actually has three color eyes. Also Buccanan’s talking car is a fun addition to
the cast as well. Corman actually kept the car after the production was
finished.p
The film was shot in Bucarist and features Lord Byron’s villa where Frankenstein was
actually written. Not bad for a B movie producer…
All in all this film is the ultimate expression of the
brilliance of Roger Corman and is ULTRA AWESOMETACULAR!!!
If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing this masterpiece,
you can watch it on You Tube amazingly…
Keep on Creepin’ , Horror Bob’s Blog…
