Frankenstein (1931)

Compare: A man named Frankenstein and his partner put together a human parts collected from graveyards. The monster ends up revolting against them, and creating chaos in the town, all along attempting to find his identity and place in society.
Contrast: This man was named Henry Frankenstein. This is also where the many misconceptions about Frankenstein's physicality began. The makeup artist created the flat head, green skin, clunky boots, Tarzan like speech (the makeup was so thick the actor could hardly move his mouth), the misconception of him being German (he was swiss), the stiff walk (because of the boots) and 'bolts' in the neck. The novel describes the monster: "His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! - Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion, and straight black lips". There is no electricity used by Shelly in her novel. Also, in the book the monster learns his language from reading and actually speaks very formally and using thee and thou.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Compare: Loosely based on the original novel. Only the name "Frankenstein" and the act of reviving the dead remain unchanged.
Contrast: This film is a comedic interpretation of the book. The main character  Fredrick Frankenstein was made much younger than the original Victor. The main plot is that this "new victor" wants nothing to do with his ancestors, thinking that they are wackos. Until he inherits the house of the original VF, he wants to continue his family's legacy, much to the disapproval of the townspeople. It is a raunchy film but it was universally adored by critics, and is now preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Compare: Frankenstein is still searching for companionship and learning how to be more human like. The townspeople still are hunting for him. A creature is being created.

Contrast: Frankenstein has a mate made for him named Eva. She is physically identical to a human, lacking the deformities of the monster. In the film, a chastened Henry Frankenstein abandons his plans to create life, only to be tempted and finally coerced by the Monster, encouraged by Henry's old mentor Dr. Pretorius, into constructing a mate for him. When the mate rejects him (as seen in the picture above), the monster becomes enraged and kills everyone except his creator. 

Frankenweenie (2012)

Compare: The young boy, also named Victor uses science to revive the dead. The boy also has a search for the unknown. The dog, similar to the monster cannot talk and is un-human, thus having a striking resemblance.
Contrast: This film had a much lighter tone as it was made for children and a happy ending. Also, A dead body is being revived instead of a dog. 

Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

Compare: The monster's desire for companionship is very prominent through the film and novel.
Contrast: In this film, a monster murders Victor F's fiance after giving him a caveat stating if Victor did not create a mate for him he would deprive Victor of his own. This film takes place in 2031. Also after VF's wife was killed Victor tries to revive his wife. 




Composed by ATB the Bawse (creator, typer, research), Arianna C (photographs) and Janai M (research). (Period 1)