The Revenge of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.0
Audio		2.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

The Revenge of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie Review

A strong continuation of the classic tale. The Blu-ray could use some help, though.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 31, 2016

Note: Mill Creek has released 'The Revenge of Frankenstein' as part of a two-film collection with The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb. Currently, the two-pack is the only way to own this film on Blu-ray.

Dr. Frankenstein, sentenced to death for the murders committed by his creation, escapes fate at the end of a guillotine and flees to Carlsbruck where he continues his work but also spends his time aiding the sick and poor. However, he is recognized by Dr. Hans Kleve who, rather than expose him, finagles his way to work beside him in the task of brain transplants (which doesn't sound as far-fetched as it once did).

The film is well versed in its world. It leaves behind much in the way of serious, detailed science and focuses more on characters, personalities, and the psychological driving forces of its players. Performances are strong from the venerable Peter Cushing (of Star Wars fame) and the supporting cast, which shows positive command of their roles in the film and the larger themes around them. The film leaves behind the quicker pace and slicker production values of some other Frankenstein pictures but manages to craft a dimmer, more disturbing story that builds on lore, not simply reworks it. This is a welcome addition to the Frankenstein collection and one of the better films in it.

The Revenge of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Revenge of Frankenstein's 1080p presentation leaves quite a bit to be desired. It's solid enough at the core, with adequate, though never finely revealing, details. Attire, rougher stone and wood surfaces, various odds and ends in labs, and skin textures hardly stretch the format's capabilities, never mind film's inherent resolution. Grain retention adds a filmic texture, but the image suffers from some serious wear and tear, heaviest during the opening title sequence but remaining through. Pops, splotches, speckles, scratches, all variety of imperfection creep up with regularity. Colors aren't particularly revealing, either. Saturation is dull, leaving the palette appearing bland and fatigued. The transfer showcases basics nicely enough, but this is, overall, a rather flat, low-grade presentation that barely scrapes by for Blu-ray quality.

The Revenge of Frankenstein Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Revenge of Frankenstein features a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, par for the course for Mill Creek's double features. The presentation is unsurprisingly devoid of much effort or definition beyond the basics. Dialogue delivery is fine, with a good, effortless front-center imaging. Otherwise, the track struggles to offer the listener much reason to be excited. Sound effects are crude but clear enough to discern the basics. Musical delivery lacks all but the most simple of structural definition, and range is severely limited. Everything pushes to the center with no sense of width to any single element. The track is good enough to carry the audience through the film, but listeners shouldn't expect anything more than a nuts-and-bolts presentation.

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

This Blu-ray release of The Revenge of Frankenstein contains no supplemental content.

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

The Revenge of Frankenstein is a well made and engaging film that smartly continues the story of the famed doctor and his unnatural creations. Mill Creek's Blu-ray features merely passable, and barely at that, video and audio. No extras are included. Fans should consider picking this up only on the cheap.