Thank you for calling our attention to this production, MB (I had forgotten about this when I wrote my recent Frankenstein thread
).
Can it be that this will actually be an
accurate version of Mary Shelly s novel? What an unheard of concept!
I mean, I'm seeing the characters of Caroline, Alphonse, and William Frankenstein, Agatha, Justine, Cpt. Walton ... (but no DeLacey by name at least ...). "Henry" in place of "Henry Clerval," but these credit listings aren't always accurate, even in imdb.com.
The synopsis reads like a synopsis of the NOVEL.
I don't really want to get my hopes up, but that at least is promising.
From the stills, I'd say the look is fantastic -- accurate and realistic to the period and to the novel. (Yet a bit cleaner and tidier when compared to the somewhat grittier and realistic buildings in "Terror of Frankenstein" -- which must be viewed in the DVD release to get any idea of the actual "look" of that movie -- not quite as beautiful and glowing, even the breathtaking scenery takes on an oppressive, dull air in that version).
The cast appears very promising. Well, the Creature
does look a bit like a heavy metal band member (and its lips should be black, but that would seem only to reinforce the "goth" look they seem to have in mind). Maybe Donald Sutherland will redeem himself after the "Salem's Lot" fiasco. And I don't remember there being a little girl at the DeLacey cottage (but it has been years since I've read the book so maybe I'm forgetting).
Drawing together the synopsis and viewing the stills, I'd say this version has the possibility of being the best and most accurate version ever made (see my comments on the two best -- IMO -- previous attempts).