The Horror of Frankenstein is a 1970 British horror film by Hammer Film Productions that is both a semi-parody and remake of the 1957 film The Curse of Frankenstein. It features David Prowse as the monster.
The genius but cold and arrogant Victor Frankenstein (Ralph Bates) starts a series of experiments involving the revival of the dead. He eventually builds and brings to life a composite body from human parts, but it isn't long before the creature goes on a homicidal rampage.
The last installment in Hammer's Frankenstein series would follow in 1974’s Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (which is a sequel to 1969’s Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed and is NOT a sequel to The Horror of Frankenstein).
This film features the horror of:
- Adaptational Villainy: The film keeps Victor being depicted as much less sympathetic and well-meaning than in the original book or the earlier movies that came from Curse. Despite being Played for Laughs due to being a parody, if anything, he's even more evil here, as he's depicted killing his own father to inherit the family fortune.
- Backwards-Firing Gun: Victor Frankenstein murders his father by sabotaging the old man's shotgun.
- Frankenstein's Monster: A truly giant version.
- Giant Mook: Being played by David Prowse, Frakenstein's Monster becomes this.
- Hollywood Acid: Like in Curse, the Monster is done with the help of the good ol' all-purposeful acid.
- Mad Scientist: Victor is a mad scientist with the addition of being a jerk (or an even bigger one, counting Curse).
- Mad Scientist Laboratory: Victor sets up the standard one in his castle.
- Negative Continuity: The film is a self-contained remake/parody of The Curse of Frankenstein, and has no continuity with the previous Hammer Horror Frankenstein films.
- Never My Fault: Victor cannot stand to face responsibility for what he's done, and flees Vienna after attempting to enter medical school there when he impregnates the daughter of the Dean.
- Patricide: Victor murders his father to inherit the title of Baron von Frankenstein and the family fortune.
- The Sociopath: Victor has no comprehension of right and wrong, only of what he wants.
- Villain Protagonist: Dr. Frankenstein, whose villainy is the main remnant of the early Hammer Horror films.
- The Von Trope Family: Victor von Frankenstein.
- The X of Y: The Horror of Frankenstein.
