To that end, I couldn't resist the urge to include a fascinating artifact from the 1970s--clips from an ultra-low-budget film titled Blackenstein, the Black Frankenstein,which was made in 1973, at the height of the so-called "blaxploitation" era in American cinema. In this film, the creature (complete with an Afro!) is formed from the body of a wounded black Vietnam veteran--a fascinating subtext to explore, given the reality that many black soldiers in particular faced upon their return home from that conflict. This clip is the very last one.
We are also examining the story through the lens of other popular film adaptations. In addition to the blaxploitation piece, below are clips from several of the most popular film adaptations of Frankenstein--including the very first full-length version, which was a silent film made in 1910 at Edison Studios, the 1931 classic, 1935's "sequel," the 1994 remake with Robert DeNiro, and Mel Brooks's hilarious comedic take, made in 1974. I have tried to group them together so that you can see the "birth/creation" scenes together.
All best,
Rebecca
Frankenstein, 1931. "It's alive!" (RT 4:05)
Frankenstein, 1931. The creature's awareness. (RT 3:10)
Frankenstein, 1994. Frankenstein gives "birth." (RT 7:37)
Young Frankenstein, 1974. (RT 10:00)
Bride of Frankenstein, 1935. "She's alive!" (RT 6:14)
Frankenstein, 1994. The Creature expresses his loneliness. (RT 3:56)
Frankenstein, 1994. The Creature confronts Victor. (RT 9:58)
Frankenstein, 1910. Watch the "special effect" at the end! (Full-length 12:41)
Blackenstein, 1973. The "ultimate" in low-budget cinema! (RT 3:40)
