Review of Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) by Byron B — 16 Jan 2019

Fisher and Cushing are on board again for another sequel. Cushing is now in his mid-50s and still an action star in this franchise. This movie is famous for an uncomfortable rape scene that makes Frankenstein's character more monstrous than usual.

He is normally concerned with preserving life, despite everyone not understanding his methods, and is not the romantic lead or competition for the younger romantic lead. A different writer and trying to find new ways to shock audiences with more sex and violence being offered by the entire film industry was probably responsible.

I thought Frankenstein's new young assistant Karl was tedious. The young romantic couple was boring and unnecessary. Thorley Walters appearing again, this time as a bumbling blow-hard Inspector, was not as funny this time around.

There are several action packed set pieces that are exciting. It was clever to have Frankenstein make his first appearance, but in disguise and with lots of suspense. There is some suspense, but also confusion, as Frankenstein repeats a similar experiment to the previous film.

He uses part of Doctor Brandt and part of Professor Richter in his pursuit of a perfect being. Now he doesn't pursue beauty or hulking physicality, but wants his creation to have intelligence. An intelligent Creature is more in line with the way the Creature grows in Mary Shelley's novel.

Yet, it is less believable, when the character actor Freddie Jones playing the stitched together Creature, manhandles Frankenstein after confronting him philosophically, since they are of similar height and build.

However, this does lead to a memorable flaming mansion scene to end the picture. We have not been treated to a Creature intelligent enough to lay a trap and create some seemingly real life and death stakes for the Baron.

This might be the most exciting ending of any film in this franchise.