Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie Review

1967’s “Frankenstein Created Woman” is not one of finest productions to emerge from Hammer Films. However, it’s representative of their business goals in the 1960s, with director Terence Fisher delivering a modestly frightful tale of murder and resurrection, filling the frame with loathsome characters, weird science, Peter Cushing, and heaving cleavage from a Playboy Playmate. It’s an engaging picture but never a remarkable one, with Fisher going a bit too slack with genre elements, never quite tightening the vise as uncomfortably as he could. It’s not showy work, but for fans of Hammer Horror, “Frankenstein Created Woman” checks off all the boxes on the company’s to-do list, providing a gothic ride of genre oddity and British rigidity.

Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Frankenstein Created Woman" was originally brought to Blu-ray in 2014 courtesy of Millennium Media, and while the disc was adequate, there was room for improvement. Shout Factory has returned to the feature with an AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation that's sourced from a "New 2K scan of the original film elements." Improvements are obvious from the get-go, as Shout provides a brighter, more film-like look at the movie, pulling out strong detail from costuming and facial surfaces. Outdoor interactions are more dimensional, with a real feel for the rural surroundings. Colors are livelier, offering deeper primaries, while reds are superb, found in fashion and blood. Skintones are natural. Delineation is better here, supplying an appreciation for dense costuming, securing velvety textures. Source is in fine shape, with only some mild speckling and a few blemishes.

Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a lossless upgrade to Millennium's lossy track, and while there's only so much dimension to be found with "Frankenstein Created Woman," the listening experience is sharper and more direct, with pleasing support for scoring efforts, which retain their orchestral fury through satisfactory instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges come through with a few sibilance issues, but nothing worrisome, finding emotional highs comfortable and panic compelling. Atmospherics are blunt but appreciable, handling outdoor environments and rushing water. Sound effects are adequate.

Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 with author Jonathan Rigby and actors Derek Fowlds and Robert Morris is a delightful trip down memory lane, with the performers returning for a viewing over 40 years after production. Rigby is a most capable moderator and expert on all things Hammer Horror, making his contributions valuable and interesting, while Fowlds and Morris contribute anecdotes concerning on-set mood and performances. Expectedly, the trio shares considerable interest in Denberg. It's a lively track, helping to appreciate "Frankenstein Created Woman" in a new light.

• Commentary #2 features film historians Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr.

• Interview (11:19, HD) with Robert Morris details the actor's experiences with "Frankenstein Created Woman," which represented his first film job, giving him a special education on the ways of movie production. Morris recounts his time with director Terence Fisher and his relationship with Susan Denberg, with the pair bonding in the buff as they participated in a love scene with careful nudity concealment. Fight stunts, time with a guillotine, and headless acting is also covered, with Morris emphasizing how it was a happy set with a friendly cast and crew.

• "Creating 'Frankenstein Created Woman'" (12:13, HD) is a dual chat with clapper/loader Eddie Collins and second assistant director Joe Marks. Collins takes the lead with information, sharing job responsibilities, daily work, and crew highlights. He also provides insight into Hammer's use of recycling sets to save money. Collins is interesting, and he likes to point out the differences in making movies in the 1960s versus today, where pressure is on to perform fast, enduring endless hours now that unions aren't as powerful anymore. Also of note is an explanation of how tea time was handled during the decade, with clapper boys in charge of purchasing food and beverages, collecting money at the end of the week.

• "World of Hammer: Curse of Frankenstein" (25:56, SD) is a 1990 episode of a syndicated series devoted to recapping the Hammer Films catalog. Narrated by Oliver Reed, the topic here is Frankenstein and his many appearances for the company, handed a regal representation by star Peter Cushing.

• "World of Hammer: Peter Cushing" (24:54, SD) returns to Reed, who recounts the rise of the famous actor, who built a legacy out of genre films, frequently working for the company.

• "Hammer Glamour" (44:07, HD) is a documentary spotlighting the ladies who launched a million daydreams with their appearances in horror and sci-fi productions. Interviews with Vera Davis, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswicke, Jenny Hanley, Valarie Leon, and Madeline Smith fill out the discussion of thespian aspiration, physical requirements, and pop culture participation, while a few choice anecdotes about famous co-stars are shared as well.

• Still Image Gallery (5:38) collects film stills, publicity shots, and BTS snaps.

• Poster and Lobby Card Gallery (5:34) offers international art and newspaper ads.

• Radio Spots (1:44) contain three ads.

• T.V. Spots (1:24, SD) deliver two commercials.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (2:38, SD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:58, SD) are included.

Frankenstein Created Woman Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With the Millennium Media release out of print, Shout Factory has elected to pick up the slack, giving "Frankenstein Created Woman" a refreshing for Blu-ray, delivering a new scan and a few additional supplementary features to create an attractive package for admirers who currently own the previous release. They also provide relief for those who missed out on the 2014 disc, bringing it back to the marketplace. While "Frankenstein Created Woman" doesn't represent a shining moment of creative success for Hammer Films, Shout Factory's Blu-ray gives it the informational support it deserves and a proper transfer, bringing out the depth and color the endeavor is capable of producing.