The Curse of Frankenstein
| The Curse of Frankenstein | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Terence Fisher |
| Screenplay by | Jimmy Sangster |
| Based on | Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jack Asher |
| Edited by | James Needs |
| Music by | James Bernard |
| Color process | Eastmancolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £65,000 or $270,000 |
| Box office | $8 million 728,452 admissions (France) |
The Curse of Frankenstein is a 1957 British science fiction horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions, loosely based on the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary W. Shelley. It was Hammer's first colour horror film, and the first of their Frankenstein series. Directed by Terence Fisher and written by Jimmy Sangster, the film sees Victor Frankenstein who, upon being sentenced to death, recounts the story of his attempt at creating the perfect human, only to create a violent creature. It stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as Frankenstein and the Creature, respectively, with Hazel Court and Robert Urquhart in supporting roles.
The film's worldwide success led to several sequels, and was also followed by new versions of Dracula and The Mummy, establishing "Hammer Horror" as a distinctive brand of Gothic cinema. Professor Patricia MacCormack called The Curse of Frankenstein the "first really gory horror film, showing blood and guts in colour".