FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is the fifth film in the Hammer Frankenstein franchise, and I feel that it is the best of them all. Peter Cushing's portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein, combined with the quality of the screenplay, bring together elements to form one of Hammer's better films.


The wonderful Peter Cushing in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed

Dr. Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) must leave his home because his ghoulish activities are accidentally discovered by a thief, who is caught soon after by the police. Afraid of being captured he then rents a room in a boarding house that is run by Anna Spengler (Veronica Carlson). Dr Frankenstein will do anything to achieve his goal of transplanting the brains of dead geniuses into fresh new bodies; murder, rape and blackmail are the tools of his trade. Will he gain the final bit of knowledge that he needs from his now insane colleague Professor Richter (Freddie Jones), or will he be stopped before his ruthless and evil plan comes to fruition?


The one aspect of this movie that I love the most is the fact that Dr. Frankenstein is an evil bastard. He's not a misunderstood character that you can root for, or that should be given any kind of sympathy. Rather, he says things and does things that make him a despicable human being. He blackmails Anna's fiance, Dr. Karl Holst (Simon Ward), into helping him with his wicked plan after he finds out that he is stealing pharmaceutical drugs from the insane asylum in which he works. Instead of being sympathetic of the young couple he begins to use them for whatever he wishes; robbing medical supply houses, killing others, and kidnapping the mentally distressed Richter from the asylum. Dr. Frankenstein is rude to every single person he meets because he thinks that he is mentally superior to all of them, and he doesn't seem to care whose toes he steps on. You really believe that this character is ruthless because of these actions, and it really gives him a depth not normally seen in villains that populate typical horror films. If this character was more likeable the movie wouldn't work.


It wouldn't be a Hammer film without scenes like this

The great Terrence Fisher directs this film and he does it with his usual style of focusing on the story and characters. In his shots the characters are always there for a purpose, rather than just standing around doing nothing. It is interesting to watch because you know that when the characters are on screen that something is going to happen to forward the plot, be it good or bad. There are no scenes that dead end or go nowhere. The production itself is very lush and believable looking, and instead of thinking that you are on a set populated with characters in cheaply made costumes you really feel like you are in the middle of the action. This is a Hammer trademark, and it is done to perfection here.


The screenplay is written by assistant director Bert Batt, who really does a great job putting a new spin on the tale of Dr. Frankenstein. Instead of going the usual route of creating a tragically flawed man, he creates a person who is beyond redemption. The character chooses to be evil and suffers the consequences because of it. This gives the film a very violent and dark feel that is missing from the other Frankenstein movies.


Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed

Peter Cushing gives one of his best performances in this film. It takes a really talented actor to be able to play against type, and he does it very convincingly. The rape scene, in particular, is not only very shocking but hard to watch. Cushing, among others, didn't want it included, but he does a fine job regardless of that. What is implied in the scene is more important than what isn't shown. The evilness of Dr. Frankenstein oozes through Cushing's pores and I can't imagine anybody else in this role. Veronica Carlson does a great job portraying poor Anna, who goes through the most drama out of any of the characters. When she has to move a body, that is exposed when a water main breaks, you can feel her panic and pure horror at having to do such a horrid thing. Carlson is also in The Horror Of Frankenstein and Dracula Has Risen From The Grave. She is considered a Hammer 'babe', but the woman can actually act; this cannot be said of all of them. Thorley Walters gives a comedic performance as the sarcastic Inspector Frisch. He was also in Dracula: Prince Of Darkness and Frankenstein Created Woman.


This film portrays Dr. Frankenstein as a horrible man, who will do anything to get his way. It accomplishes telling us his sordid tale by showing his actions through a dark lens. It is for this very reason that the movie works and should be considered a staple in any Hammer horror film collection.


5 out of 5 pints of blood


- Hammer Fangirl