Watch Lady Frankenstien
- 1973
- 1 hr 24 min
Lady Frankenstein is a 1971 Italian horror film directed by Mel Welles and written by cult filmmaker Edward D. Wood Jr. The movie tells the story of Dr. Tania Frankenstein, the daughter of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, who is carrying on her father's work of creating life from the dead. However, unlike her father, Tania has a different motive for wanting to bring a creature back to life. She is frustrated with the lack of recognition she has received for her scientific achievements, as she is a woman in a male-dominated field. In an attempt to prove herself, Tania creates a monster and imbues it with the brain of a nobleman, hoping that the creature will become a brilliant scientist that can help advance her work.
The movie is set in 19th century Europe and opens with the execution of a criminal, whose body Dr. Frankenstein uses to create her monster. The film then shows the inner workings of Dr. Frankenstein's lab as she brings the creature to life. Along the way, the doctor is assisted by her lover, Dr. Charles Marshall, who has no idea what she is up to.
The heart of the story is the relationship between Tania and her creation. Tania spends a lot of time with her monster, teaching him to speak and to reason. She grows attached to him and starts to see him not as a lifeless experiment, but as a real living being. However, the more time she spends with him, the more she starts to see him as an extension of herself. She begins to live vicariously through him, using him as a tool to achieve her own goals.
As the story progresses, the monster escapes from the lab and begins to terrorize the local villagers, ultimately leading to a confrontation with Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Marshall. The climax of the film is a tense and visceral battle between the monster and our heroes.
One of the scariest elements of Lady Frankenstein is the bleak and foreboding atmosphere created by the filmmakers. The movie is shot in dark, moody tones, with a lot of shadows and low lighting. This gives the movie a creepy, Gothic vibe that is perfect for the story being told.
Another standout element of the movie is the performances. Joseph Cotten is excellent as the aging Baron Frankenstein. He is stoic, cold, and calculating, with a sense of menace that permeates every scene he is in. Rosalba Neri is fantastic as Dr. Tania Frankenstein. She is smart, strong-willed, and confident, but also vulnerable and deeply troubled. Her relationship with the monster is the heart of the movie, and she handles this complex dynamic with skill and nuance. Finally, Paul Muller is great as Dr. Marshall, the romantic interest of the movie. He is affable, charming, and likable, bringing some much-needed levity to the film.
Overall, Lady Frankenstein is a solid entry in the horror genre. While it may not be the scariest movie ever made, it is definitely a worthwhile watch for those who are fans of classic horror. The story is engaging, the performances are strong, and the atmosphere is appropriately spooky. If you are looking for a creepy, Gothic horror movie with a unique twist, Lady Frankenstein is definitely worth your time.