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Frankenstein: Of Monsters and Humans

By Bhargav Prasad · October 31, 2014

Let us start with a fun fact. Mary Shelly, the writer of "Frankenstein" was only 19 when she wrote the novel. Give some time to let that sink in. The novel has spawned a lot of adaptations and sequels, both on stage and on screen. But the one that started it all, well at least introduced the monster to moviegoers was James Whales’ Frankenstein, starring Colin Clive and Mae Clarke.

Similar to most Frankenstein adaptations, this one too told the story of Henry Frankenstein, played by the delightful Colin Clive as the “Mad” Scientist. Henry goes around collecting various human body parts from various sources and starts putting them together. Creepy? Yes. But Scary? Not yet. Wait for it!

The one body part that is absolutely necessary for human function is the brain (learnt that from the House). Henry’s plan seems to be going perfectly fine (the normal in the abnormal) until he gets his hands on the brain of a criminal, a twisted criminal rather. With the help of some electricity (this is the Benjamin Franklin reference I am guessing), Henry Frankenstein’s creation comes to life. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s not Superman either. The monster/human hybrid looks hideous and menacing, all thanks to the legendary James Pierce.

The classic argument that every critic makes when it comes to this version of Frankenstein is that the writers and the directors have made the titular character, Frankenstein (Frankenstein’s monster to be precise) every bit as loving as they could. Before you start looking into the semantics of that sentence, let me rephrase. As a member of the audience, you feel sorry for the monster. You have no option but to sympathize with the monster. You remain ignorant to the three murders the monster commits. Even when a classic act of betrayal is suggested to be happening, you empathize.

Does that point to a bad judge of character? No. That’s exactly what the makers of this classic wanted. Sympathizing with an anti-hero or sometimes even a villain might be a modern pop-culture trope but this 1931 film was making a bolder statement. The society doesn’t really stay fair when it comes across a person who isn’t conventionally normal, but step into the said person’s shoes, society might just start seeing things differently.

Frankenstein is the kind of film that will stay relevant even 500 years from it’s time of release. Treating characters not just one dimensionally, puts most modern horrors to shame. Not just going for the cheap thrills or camera tricks (non-existent during the time), Frankenstein hints at making a broader statement with genuine scares. Something most horrors don’t seem to be doing today.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=p5HCmd-Rjvc%26nbsp%3B

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