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Brideoffrankenstein

The movies poster.

Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 Universal monster movie directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester. Based on Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's 1818 book Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, the film was a box office success and became a fan favorite among the Universal monster movies, some even citing it as the first sequel that surpassed the original movie.

Plot[]

On a dark and stormy night, Mary Shelley is telling the story of Frankenstein to her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. They are both impressed with her story, but thought it ended too soon. Mary informs them that it doesn't end there and tells them more of the story.

After an angry mob burns down a windmill with Frankenstein's monster inside, they assume the monster is dead and bring the unconscious body of Henry Frankenstein to his wife Elizabeth. Later on, it's revealed that the monster is still alive, and he murders the parents of the little girl he accidentally drowns in the previous movie by drowning them as well. This is witnessed by a woman named Minnie, who flees in terror. Minnie tries to tell the townspeople that the monster is still alive, but no one believes her.

Frankenstein is nursed back to health, much to Elizabeth's relief. Later, Frankenstein is visited by another doctor named Dr. Pretorius. He shows Frankenstein experiments that he made, jars of tiny creatures called Homunculi, and wishes to work with Frankenstein to create a mate for the monster. Dr. Pretorius also wants to create an artificial brain for the new monster.

Meanwhile, the monster is roaming through the woods and sees a shepherdess drowning. The monster saves her, but she screams in fear after seeing the monster. This gathers the attention of hunters, who tell people in the village about the monster and form a mob. The mob captures the monster, and they lock the creature up, however, the monster easily escapes captivity and flees the village while everyone else panics. During which, a little girl named Frida is found dead, the monster is blamed for her death.

While in the forest, the monster finds a hut. Living there is an old blind hermit, who welcomes the creature with open arms, not knowing he's a monster made from other dead body parts. The blind man is grateful for the monster's company as he is very lonely, and for the first time ever, the monster feels love. During his time with the blind man, he teaches the monster to speak, however, two hunters see the monster and chase him away, while accidentally burning down the blind man's house.

The monster goes to a cemetery and hides in a crypt. Dr. Pretorius and his henchman Karl and Ludwig break into the crypt and steal a skull and bones. The monster approaches Pretorius who is having wine and cigars in the crypt, and the two of them talk. Pretorius tells the monster that he plans to make a bride for him, much to the monster's delight.

Oscar-Frights-BRIDE-OF-FRANKENSTEIN-Thumbnail

The monster and his bride.

Pretorius goes to see Frankenstein, who had refused to go along with his plan of making a mate for the monster, however, Pretorius calls the monster in the room, much to Frankenstein's shock. The monster then kidnaps Elizabeth, and Pretorius tells Frankenstein that he'll let Elizabeth go if he makes the bride. They go to Frankenstein's old laboratory, where he gets to work on the bride. At first the heart he is given beats, but then stops, as it is too decayed. Karl goes to the village, and murders a woman, so Frankenstein can use her heart. The artificial brain is placed in the body as well.

As the storm approaches, Frankenstein and Pretorius use kites to bring the bride to life. Earlier, the monster is put to sleep by Pretorius so Frankenstein can work in peace. After he wakes up, he kills Karl by throwing him off the building. After a strike of lightning, the bride is brought to life. The monster enters the room excited to see his significant other, but when approaching her, the bride is afraid of him. He tries once more to show her compassion, only for the bride to scream at the monster once again. The monster angrily and emotionally says, "She hate me! Like others!" The monster begins to rampage through the laboratory and holds a lever on the wall. This lever when pulled will destroy the castle. The monster tells Frankenstein and Elizabeth to escape and live, while demanding Pretorius to stay, saying, "We Belong Dead!" The bride hisses at the monster, then the monster finally pulls the lever after shedding a tear, destroying the castle while killing himself, the bride, and Dr. Pretorius. Frankenstein and Elizabeth make it safely out of the castle in time.

Cast[]

  • Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster
  • Elsa Lanchester as The Bride of Frankenstein and Mary Shelley
  • Colin Clive as Dr. Henry Frankenstein
  • Ernest Thesiger as Dr. Septimus Pretorius
  • Valerie Hobson as Elizabeth Frankenstein
  • Una O'Connor as Minnie

Trailer[]

Theatrical trailer.

See also[]

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