Cast
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Crew
Director
- J. Searle Dawley
Producer
- Thomas A. Edison
Reviews
RottenPop
Frankenstein from 1910 was one of the first ever incarnations of the “Monster” that we have seen on film. This quite possibly might be one of the best versions of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Adapted in 1910 by director J. Searle Dawley with Thomas Edison’s company, The Edison Group. This film follows the life of Dr. Frankenstein leaving for college and subsequently creating one of the greatest monsters of all time. Personally i believe this version of Frankenstein to be one of the scarier looking versions of his monster.
Two years into college Dr. Frankenstein plays god, creating life single handily. The life that he creates, however, is evil and haunts the good Doctor for the rest of the film. From the laboratory all the way to wherever Frankenstein is from, the monster harasses and bothers his maker. That is until a battle between good and evil breaks out and love prevails over all…
The special effects in this film are beyond reproach as we see life being given to the monster. Cheesy to our standards today, for its time period this proved to be an amazing feat. I’m pretty sure that they just set up a dummy and set it on fire and played it in reverse. However, the special effects and makeup are what you need to see this film for. Nuts to the Storyline and characters, but hail the effects.
Feb 22, 2017
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Science Fiction/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Frankenstein presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director J. Searle Dawley brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1910, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Frankenstein took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 14 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 37 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1575 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 72 unique compositions.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1910, when this film was released:
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Frankenstein shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Vanilla Sky, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Frankenstein subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Hulk and Yardbird explore similar territory, Frankenstein stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 18, 1910
- Runtime: 14m
Where to Watch
