The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 4, 2015

With director Jess Franco, subtlety isn’t a priority. Either is polish, leaving 1972’s “The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein” just one of many in the filmmaker’s oeuvre that comes up short in the artistry department as the production races to capture as much insanity as possible before the disturbingly prolific Franco is off to his next endeavor. While the promise of a cracked take on Mary Shelley’s iconic source material is there for the taking, “The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein” falls short of horror goals, emerging as a “Manos”-style thriller with unrealized ideas and troubling storytelling deficiencies.

In a way, “The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein” is really two movies competing for attention. On one side of the tale, there’s Vera Frankenstein (Beatriz Savon), daughter of Victor (Dennis Price), who’s building inspiration to retrieve the Monster (Fernando Bilbao) from the evil clutches of Cagliostro (Howard Vernon). On the other side of the film, the villain is up to no good, attempting to manufacture a master race, using the Monster as a blueprint, constructing his own human wonder with help from his bird-woman creation, Melisa (Anne Libert), who’s blind and feeds on blood. What could be a fascinating romp through perversion and insanity is instead rendered inert by Franco’s obsession with abstraction, which never blends with his lack of budgetary might.

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Boasting a fresh 35mm negative master, the AVC encoded image (---- aspect ratio) presentation is perhaps the best "The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein" is ever going to look. However, age is apparent, with a slightly muted color palette, though bolder hues do manage a degree of vibrancy, with the Monster's silver paint job and costuming retaining potency. Detail isn't particularly strong, battling hazy cinematography and persistent focus issues, but frame particulars remain, some offering encouraging textures that add to the macabre spirit of the piece. Delineation is adequate, rarely intended to be anything more than basic. Damage is common, with vertical scratches, chemical burns, and speckling running throughout the viewing experience, while a few pockets of noise remain.

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The French 2.0 LPCM track isn't built for depth, merely content to keep dialogue exchanges as clear as possible considering production limitations. Performances are dubbed but register as intended, working through a muddy quality. Scoring is also muffled, but not without surges of activity, supporting suspense sequences. Atmospherics are basic, tracking whipping winds and creaky castle interiors. Hiss and pops are detected throughout.

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features journalist Tim Lucas.

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:23, HD) is included.

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Franco delivers plenty uncomfortable close-ups of nudity, and performances are adequately hysterical, but genre spice is missing from the final product, which seems built primarily for Franco fans who appreciate the filmmaker's idiosyncrasies and his taste for the unconventional. "The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein" isn't a lazy picture, but it doesn't look deeply considered, trying to skate by on less with a screenplay that's ambitious with sexuality, horror, and motivation.