A lot can be said about how desirability plays a role in the creature design for a givenFrankensteinadaptation’s take on the infamous monster. Frankenstein’s creation in the original book is meant to be both unseemly and corpse-like, but also beautiful. Not as much thought is given, however, to the desirability of Victor Frankenstein himself. But perhaps it should be. Hammer Horror’s 1957The Curse of Frankensteinis a stunning, Gothic sci-fi horror masterpiece that also has the hottest Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) of any adaptation past or present (and we’re including those promo stills of Oscar Isaac in our assessment). But while “they made Frankenstein unbearably hot” is enough of a reason to get some people to see a movie, it’s the specific manner in whichThe Curse of Frankensteinadapts the character of Frankenstein that makes the film so unique.
Hammer Horror Doesn’t Make Frankenstein Sympathetic
A lot ofFrankensteinadaptations lean into Frankenstein as atragic character maddened by his own genius. Arguably, the character of Frankenstein is a key inspiration for many sympathetic mad scientist characters in pop culture. ButThe Curse of Frankensteinestablishes that itsVictor Frankenstein has always been a cold, morbid little weirdoearly on. The film begins with a flashback to the death of his mother. But rather than experience grief or even anger at the loss, he’s entirely indifferent and eager to have the home to himself. The actor playing a young Frankenstein here,Melvyn Hayes, really leans into Victor’s complete apathy to the suffering of others. This isn’t a boy putting on a brave face when forced to inherit the family fortune too young; this is a bright young man eager to begin his studies of the dead.
Before ‘Frankenstein,’ Stream This Other Guillermo del Toro Gothic Horror on Peacock
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This complete indifference would continue into Victor’s adult life as well. And there issomething so off-putting, yet hypnotic, about Peter Cushing’s performance as Victor Frankenstein. It would be inaccurate to define his Frankenstein as sadistic — in fact, one might argue that his character would be a bit less unseemly if he did findenjoyment in the suffering of others. It would be horrifying to behold, certainly. But it’s easier to comprehend how a person might kill and maim if they enjoy inflicting pain on people. But Victor doesn’t. He’s simply ambitious and apathetic enough to not let the lives and well-beings of the people around him stand in the way of “progress”.
It would have been easy to give Victor sympathetic motivations.The Curse of Frankensteinessentially opens on his mother’s death. A lesser film would have used that to frame Victor as atragic, bereaved man desperate to conquer deathlest he loses the people he loves one day. But VictorFrankenstein is not bereaved by death, he’s emboldened by it.He doesn’t just rob graves in the pursuit of building this perfect creature, he digs them.He acts as an uncaring god, both to his creation, and to those who stand between him and his mission to usurp death.
But Why Does It Matter That He’s Hot?
In choosing to cast averyin-his-prime Peter Cushing as Victor Frankenstein,The Curse of Frankensteinaccomplishes a few things. Obviously,the sex appeal would draw in audiences, andCushing never gives a disappointing performance. But in playing into themes of desirability with the character of Victor Frankenstein, the film opens itself to discussions surrounding the types of people who can get away with this kind of behavior. Part of the reason Victor gets away with so many of his crimes for so long is that people are charmed by him.
Victor’s creation is transparently, from the beginning, evil. Or, even if the creature harbors no malice, it is obviously dangerous. Victor isn’t. The hottest Peter Cushing you have ever seen is traipsing abouta gorgeous Gothic castlewith the cuffs of his poet’s blouse rolled to the elbow and his hair perfectly coiffed.You, the audience, have the privilege of knowing, going in, that he is evil. His fiancé, Elizabeth, and the maid he’s having an affair with, Justine, do not.
And yet, even in knowing the vile, dissolute nature of Victor’s character, you can’t help but be drawn in. His affair with Justine is amoral. There’s a clear power imbalance in her being his employee. It’s cruel to the virtuous Elizabeth to be cheating right under her nose. And still, when Victor and Justine sneak away to canoodle, you can do nothing but watch.It’ssteamy and compelling and intoxicating. And it is completely unsurprising when Victor sics his creation upon Justine after discovering she’s pregnant. This Frankenstein is relentless. He’s willing to do anything to maintain his position in society, not because he enjoys being a gentleman, but because it enables him to continue his work. And in a sick sense, it’s almost more twisted that the only enjoyment he deigns from the whole experience is that of continuing his studies.
The Curse of Frankenstein
