Synopsis
It was in the year 1910 when the infamous Dr. Frankenstein, who tried to be God by creating a man, and his 'ceation' first appeared on the screen. Since then, the brilliant yet mad scientist/creator and his destructive monster/creation have been regulars in horror films. At least 110 films featuring this bewitching duo have been made. Among these many 'Frankenstein movies' the film most consider the archetypical Frankenstein film is the 1931 version made by director James whale. In its subject and the visual conception, most films that came after took the 1931 version as its role model (more so than Mary Shelley's original novel).
When the film starts, a man with a tuxedo appears from behind the curtain, s sending us a 'complimentary words of warning': "The following film may shock you. It may put you in a state of absolute fear". In fact, many viewers of its day were shocked and many did scream. To look at a monster with stitches all over his face! However, what is interesting is that while the monster generates a feeling of fear among its viewers, it nevertheless succeeds in evoking a feeling of sympathy as well. The reason for this is because the monster itself is not evil incarnate, but rather a victim who does not know anything about its being. Frankenstein is an innocent victim created by humans and agonized by humans. The famous horror film actor Boris Karloff brilliantly plays the role of Frankenstein. (HONG Sung-nam)