Frankenstein
When I first saw the movie Frankenstein, I realized that Hollywood was still changing the classic novels. In their usual fashion, they changed the names of the characters to be somewhat pleasing to the audience. I guess Henry Frankenstein was a better wholesome name than Victor Frankenstein. Instead they saved the name Victor for the supporting actor because no one would care what they named him. Next they changed Elizabeth to Margaret for some unknown reason. By movie standards today, the monster looked like a man in bad makeup and stiff acting. In Mary Shelley's original interpretation, I envision a monster with pale Caucasian skin color, misshapen limbs and with more vocabularies than Ugh or Ahh. I have come to the realization that the 1931 movie review of Frankenstein and I share the same opinions for the movie. Though I did find the acting and the makeup mediocre, in 1931 it was as the film critic said, "the most effective of its kind." The background and scenery impressed me. Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory was indeed impressive. The elaborate machinery and sound effects added to the sense that life was being created, though they really did go into great
However I believed that the monster acted like a robot in the scene with the little girl. It was even being suggested to create towns selected with the best of mankind. In a sense we humans are highly advanced mechanisms given the ability to comprehend and interpret. The movie could be meant as a warning on the evils of eugenics. At the beginning of the novel, its atmosphere is completely different than that of the 1931 movie. The 1931 film gave a lighter representation. The movie also fails to give a very good reason as to how Victor goes on this journey to bring life back to the dead. He carefully pieces together the delicate puzzle and he does receive a reward and a curse. First, the novel begins after Victor created the monster that killed Elizabeth. At this time scientists were working on ways to create life that rivaled God, whether to create perfect children free of disease or to create the super soldier to fight their wars. During the 1920's and 30's, mankind was involved in the search to improve the human race called Eugenics. However, as in the movie and novel, the question of should we manipulate the forces of nature comes into the equation. I believe the film was an unjust representation of the novel. Frankenstein's monster is possibly the first example of eugenics on film. The novel also describes a more dark and sinister outlook.
Common topics in this essay:
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Philosophy Galvanism,
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Ugh Ahh,
,
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Henry Frankenstein,
1931 film,
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Acceptance Essays
