Watch Frankenstein: The True Story

Frankenstein: The True Story is a 1973 film that reimagines Mary Shelley's classic tale for the modern era. The movie stars James Mason as the titular character, Leonard Whiting as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, and David McCallum as Dr. Henry Clerval. The film begins with Frankenstein's monster (played by Michael Sarrazin) waking up disoriented and confused in a laboratory. He soon escapes and goes on a rampage, causing chaos in the nearby town. Meanwhile, Dr. Frankenstein is introduced as a brilliant scientist who is obsessed with the idea of creating life. He convinces his friend Dr. Clerval to help him with his experiments, and together they set out to create a human being from scratch.

The two doctors succeed in their experiments and create a beautiful, intelligent creature named Adam (played by Leonard Whiting). However, things quickly go wrong when Adam turns out to be much more volatile and unpredictable than they anticipated. He becomes violent and aggressive, causing Dr. Clerval to question the ethical implications of their creation.

Despite his friend's concerns, Dr. Frankenstein becomes increasingly obsessed with Adam and continues to experiment with him, pushing him to his limits. Meanwhile, the two doctors attract the attention of a wealthy socialite named Elizabeth (played by Jane Seymour), who becomes fascinated with their work and begins to pursue Dr. Clerval romantically.

As the experiment continues to spiral out of control, the two doctors turn to increasingly desperate measures to try and control their creation. They even resort to harvesting organs from dead bodies to keep Adam alive.

Throughout the film, there are several subplots and twists and turns that keep the story gripping and entertaining. Through it all, the central theme of the story remains the question of whether it's truly ethical to try and play God by creating life.

One of the standout features of this film is the fantastic performances by the cast. James Mason is perfect as the brooding and intense Frankenstein, while Leonard Whiting brings a sense of vulnerability and humanity to his portrayal of the troubled Adam. David McCallum is also excellent as Dr. Clerval, providing a voice of reason and morality amidst the chaos.

Another impressive aspect of the film is the lavish production design and intricate costumes. The sets and locations are all beautifully realized, transporting the viewer back to the Romantic era of Shelley's original novel.

Overall, Frankenstein: The True Story is a thrilling and thought-provoking retelling of one of the most famous stories in literary history. It delves deep into the moral and ethical implications of trying to play God, and leaves the viewer with much to ponder long after the credits roll.

Frankenstein: The True Story is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.