Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Name: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror, Romance
Released: November 4, 1994
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, John Cleese

1994

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: November 4, 1994 | R

Starring: Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Robert De Niro, Robert Hardy, Tom Hulce

Summary: When the brilliant but unorthodox scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 123 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Robert Faires

Writers Steph Lady and Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) retain much of the source's action and all of its spirit, but still make the work speak to our age. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Branagh, for all his craftsmanship, hasn’t succeeded in tapping the morbid core of the material, the feeling that Victor Frankenstein’s experiment in creating ”life” is really a mask for his obsession with death (indeed, he can no longer tell the difference). Read full review

Steve Persall

Kenneth Branagh's version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein reverts to the creature's roots to become the most faithful adaptation ever of the horror classic. [04 Nov 1994, p.10]

Janet Maslin

This is a bland, no-fault Frankenstein for the 90's, short on villainy but loaded with the tragically misunderstood. Read full review

David Ansen

Branagh's two Shakespeare films have been triumphs-meaty, moving and fun. Bard-less, the director flounders. His Frankenstein gives off the same hollow echo that Dead Again did, the same mixture of stylistic flair and insincerity. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Not frightening, just silly. Read full review

Hal Hinson

All too faithfully adapted by Kenneth Branagh, the film is the last thing that one would expect of a contemporary highbrow version of this ageless horror classic. It is, in a word, dullsville. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This is undoubtedly a melodramatic film but then I believe the original novel is very much melodramatic in tone. As a period drama its good and I thought both Kenneth Branagh and Robert DeNiro gave good performances in their role, most notably Robert DeNiro as the titular creature. Its notThis is undoubtedly a melodramatic film but then I believe the original novel is very much melodramatic in tone. As a period drama its good and I thought both Kenneth Branagh and Robert DeNiro gave good performances in their role, most notably Robert DeNiro as the titular creature. Its not full of jump scares, although there are, of course, a number. I found it relatively thought provoking and I assume its quite faithful to the book. The acting is perhaps a little over the top at times but it isn't 100% cliched or cheesy in a way that put me entirely off. Its not what I'd call an especially great film but its most certainly good, in my opinion and so I'd recommend it, if nothing else for fans of Robert DeNiro to see him in such a role, if for no other reason.… Expand

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alejandro970

Oct 31, 2021

I want to assume that Kenneth Branagh's idea was to make a faithful adaptation to the original book and, at the same time, something identical to his colleague F. F. Coppola's Dracula. Robert de Niro plays a monster with a tragic appearance and profile, but that was not enough to becomeI want to assume that Kenneth Branagh's idea was to make a faithful adaptation to the original book and, at the same time, something identical to his colleague F. F. Coppola's Dracula. Robert de Niro plays a monster with a tragic appearance and profile, but that was not enough to become related to the classic versions and in the end they owe a lot to the viewer. Better luck next time?… Expand

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Voodoo123

Apr 21, 2022

This remarkably self indulgent piece of theatre is mistakenly cast into millions of dollars worth of celluloid. Say hello to fancy clothing, garish sets and aged-so-poorly visual effects (and for goodness sakes with the over the top camera movement!!!). Sadly it all falls flat feeling tooThis remarkably self indulgent piece of theatre is mistakenly cast into millions of dollars worth of celluloid. Say hello to fancy clothing, garish sets and aged-so-poorly visual effects (and for goodness sakes with the over the top camera movement!!!). Sadly it all falls flat feeling too fast paced and simultaneously over long. It's a strange Mis fire and ultimately sad as it's clear some passion really went into it and apparently it keeps to the original book which is definitely worth a look for some. Also try if you can to keep a straight face at the 'birth' scene.… Expand

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