Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994-film): Movie Review

This blog task is assigned by Megha Trivedi Ma'am (Department of English, MKBU).

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 science fiction horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh

Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, Volume I, First edition.

Directed by	Kenneth Branagh
Screenplay by	Steph Lady Frank Darabont
Based on	Frankenstein 1818 novel by Mary Shelley
Produced by	Francis Ford Coppola James V. Hart John Veitch
Starring	Robert De Niro Kenneth Branagh Tom Hulce Helena Bonham Carter Aidan Quinn Ian Holm John Cleese
Cinematography	Roger Pratt
Edited by	Andrew Marcus
Music by	Patrick Doyle
Production companies	TriStar Pictures Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. IndieProd Company Productions American Zoetrope
Distributed by	TriStar Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing)
Release dates	November 3, 1994 (London Film Festival) November 4, 1994 (United States)
Running time	123 minutes
Countries	United States Japan
Language	English
Budget	$45 million
Box office	$112 million

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994-film) Trailer: Click here.

1. Introduction

The 1994 film 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein', directed by Kenneth Branagh, is one of the most discussed adaptations of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel 'Frankenstein;' or, 'The Modern Prometheus.' Branagh not only directed but also starred as Victor Frankenstein, with Robert De Niro portraying "The Creation." Although considered one of the more faithful cinematic adaptations, the film diverges in key ways, blending Shelley's philosophical narrative with heightened horror. This analysis explores the film’s treatment of Shelley's themes, compares it to the original novel, and critiques Branagh's approach.

2. Plot Overview and Cinematic Choices

In 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein,' Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, endeavors to conquer death and creates a sentient being from dead body parts. The film is set in the 18th century and visually immerses the viewer in its gothic world. Cinematographer Roger Pratt’s design captures the grandeur and ominous beauty of 18th-century Europe, reinforcing Shelley's themes of ambition and hubris.

The film opens with Captain Walton's Arctic expedition, echoing Shelley's frame narrative. Branagh's adaptation follows Victor's tragic life, portraying his descent into madness. However, while faithful to the general storyline, Branagh includes new scenes, such as the reanimation of Elizabeth, that are absent from the novel. These additions, as Branagh argued, were intended to add psychological depth and explore a "family tragedy" like that of 'Hamlet,' ultimately making Frankenstein's story a tale of irrevocable human fallibility​.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) - The Bride Burns Scene: Click here.

3. Comparing the Novel and Film: Faithfulness and Deviations

Branagh's film remains true to the novel in its exploration of themes like ambition and moral responsibility, though with notable differences. For example, in the book, Victor destroys his female creature before completion, fearing the potential consequences. However, in the film, Victor attempts to reanimate Elizabeth by stitching her head onto another body. This addition intensifies the tragedy but also deviates from Shelley’s restrained horror to an operatic depiction that some critics described as excessive​.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) - The Bride of Frankenstein Scene: Click here.

4. Exploring Key Themes: Science, Morality, and Identity

4.1. The Role of Science and Ambition

Shelley's novel presents a cautionary tale on scientific ambition, encapsulated in Victor’s confession:

"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body"

(Shelley)

The novel reflects a philosophical inquiry into human limits, where Victor’s obsession ultimately leads to his downfall. The film mirrors this theme but emphasizes Victor’s physical pursuit, dramatizing his struggle through frenzied scenes. Branagh, as director, portrays Victor’s ambition through his zealous quest, physically engaging in experiments, symbolizing his drive to "stop [others] from dying," even as he ignores the ethical implications​.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) - Its Alive! Scene: Click here.

4.2. Moral Consequences of Creation

Both the novel and film delve into the morality of creation and abandonment. In the novel, the creature is articulate, educated by books like 'Paradise Lost,' and ultimately confronts Victor:

"I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel"

(Shelley)

Branagh’s adaptation, however, minimizes this literacy, with the creature learning only from Victor’s journal, thereby narrowing his intellectual evolution. This shift portrays the creature’s suffering as instinctual rather than philosophical, transforming him into a more visceral character whose existential rage is manifested physically​.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) - The Blind Old Man Scene: Click here.

4.3. Identity and the Existential Search

Shelley's novel meticulously examines the creature’s quest for identity, as he seeks companionship and recognition from his creator, only to face rejection. Branagh’s film portrays this but in a more condensed manner. The creature’s rejection by society and by Victor is illustrated in scenes of violence and destruction, underscoring his isolation without exploring the creature’s inner philosophical turmoil as extensively as the novel does. De Niro’s portrayal captures the creature’s pain and isolation, yet lacks the same depth of introspection found in Shelley's narrative, reducing him to a tragic figure of brute force rather than a sophisticated moral thinker​.

5. Visual and Atmospheric Elements

Branagh’s 'Frankenstein' successfully employs visual symbolism to echo the gothic atmosphere of Shelley's novel. From dark laboratories to moody landscapes, the film captures a sense of dread, reinforced by Patrick Doyle’s haunting score. The choice to amplify certain aspects visually, such as the reanimated Elizabeth’s transformation, reflects Branagh's decision to present a more sensational narrative. While Shelley's novel whispers horror, as Frank Darabont noted, Branagh’s adaptation often "screams" it, transforming what was a psychological exploration into a dramatic spectacle​.

6. Character Analysis: Victor and The Creation

Branagh's Victor is portrayed as passionate and almost manic, embodying a physical obsession that transcends Shelley's more intellectual Victor. The character in the novel is reflective and plagued by guilt, expressing remorse when he admits,

"You seek for knowledge and wisdom…

and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been"

(Shelley)

The film's Victor, however, conveys his torment through bodily exertion, adding to the film's operatic tone but losing some of the original’s introspective depth.

De Niro's creature, while visually imposing, lacks the verbal complexity and emotional nuance of the novel's creature, who declares:

"I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?"

(Shelley)

The novel’s creature, though monstrous in form, is morally sophisticated and self-aware, whereas Branagh's adaptation reduces him to a figure of physical horror. The omission of key literary influences on the creature's psyche, such as 'Paradise Lost,' dilutes his philosophical depth, positioning him as a tragic but less articulate figure in Branagh's vision​.

7. Moral and Ethical Reflections in a Modern Context

Shelley's novel questions the responsibilities of a creator towards their creation, echoing a debate relevant to modern concerns in biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The film touches on these themes but with less subtlety, preferring to depict horror visually rather than through dialogue. Branagh’s portrayal of Victor’s unchecked ambition presents an unambiguous condemnation of hubris, yet it sacrifices Shelley’s philosophical ambiguity. The novel, through Victor’s introspection, allows readers to grapple with conflicting ethical considerations, whereas the film presents a more straightforward cautionary tale on scientific ambition​.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) - Done With Man Scene: Click here.

8. Critical Reception and Legacy

The film was met with mixed reviews. Critics like Frank Darabont noted Branagh's tendency to amplify the source material, describing the adaptation as a

“heavy metal monster movie”

rather than Shelley's quiet tragedy​. Despite its excesses, 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' brought renewed attention to Shelley’s work, influencing subsequent adaptations and maintaining the novel's place in discussions about scientific ethics and morality. The film’s legacy, then, lies not in its faithfulness, but in its attempt to translate the novel's complexities to a modern audience while emphasizing visual drama and emotional intensity.

9. Conclusion

Kenneth Branagh’s 'Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein' (1994) is a visually striking and ambitious adaptation that explores timeless themes of ambition, creation, and moral responsibility. However, its deviations from the novel—particularly its portrayal of Victor and the creature—result in a more physical and less intellectually layered adaptation. While the film may not capture the philosophical subtleties of Shelley’s text, it offers a compelling, albeit operatic, vision of the Frankenstein myth. Fans of both gothic horror and Shelley’s novel will find the film a provocative, if imperfect, adaptation that adds new layers to the ongoing cultural conversation around Shelley’s masterpiece.

References

1. Brannon, Julie Sloan. “Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’? Kenneth Branagh and Keeping Promises.” Studies in Popular Culture, vol. 35, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1–23. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23416363.

2. James A. W. Heffernan. “Looking at the Monster: ‘Frankenstein’ and Film.” Critical Inquiry, vol. 24, no. 1, 1997, pp. 133–58. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1344161.

3. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, TriStar Pictures, 1994.

4. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. Project Gutenberg, 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/84/pg84-images.html.

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