This film is part of Rentals
Frankenstein
The gothic horror that ushered in a wave of cinematic terror, starring Boris Karloff as the reconstructed monster with a human soul.
Horror 1931 70 mins
Director: James Whale
Overview
Boris Karloff’s iconic performance as the shambling yet sensitive monster, cobbled together from dead bodies by deranged scientist Henry Frankenstein, is one of cinema’s most influential performances, in the gothic horror film that inspired the first big wave of cinematic horror.
But the first feature-length adaptation of Mary Shelley’s isn’t just historically significant, it remains an intelligent and affecting film about the limits of science, blind prejudice and what it means to be human. Mary Shelley’s original novel set the template for both Gothic fiction and science fiction (professors playing god), emphasising the story’s significance to the development of two genres that BFI has recently celebrated with major seasons.
Accessibility
Related
Horror
The Dead Don't Die The Dead Don't Die
Horror 2019 104 mins Director: Jim Jarmusch
Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Tilda Swinton lead this star-studded, bonkers addition to the zombie canon from cult director Jim Jarmusch.
Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors
Comedy 1986 94 mins Director: Frank Oz
Frank Oz's vivid adaptation of the cult sci-fi musical, with Rick Moranis as a flower-shop assistant battling a 'Mean Green Mother from Outer Space'.
The Wicker Man The Wicker Man
Horror 1973 88 mins Director: Robin Hardy
Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward star in the folk horror classic about a policemen investigating an island given over to paganism.
The Blair Witch Project The Blair Witch Project
Horror 1999 81 mins Director: Eduardo Sanchez
Three student filmmakers attempt to make a documentary about a local urban legend, in this terrifying and groundbreaking pioneer of the ‘found-footage’ genre.
Possum Possum
Horror 2017 85 mins Director: Matthew Holness
"Can you spy him deep within? Little Possum. Black as sin." The reliably deranged Sean Harris is plagued by an evil puppet in this dark, brooding fable from Matthew Holness.
Ghost Stories Ghost Stories
Horror 2017 98 mins Director: Jeremy Dyson
Being scared has never been this much fun, as Martin Freeman, Andy Nyman and Paul Whitehouse bring the chilling London stage play to the screen.
Monstrous
Dracula (1958) Dracula (1958)
Horror 1958 82 mins Director: Terence Fisher
Hammer's 1958 version of Stoker's Gothic novel was the most exciting to date, boasting lavish costumes and sets, a vibrant score and red, red blood.
Night of the Living Dead Night of the Living Dead
Horror 1968 96 mins Director: George A. Romero
Landmark film from 'zombie godfather' Romero, whose makeshift heroes fight for their lives against a new and terrifying enemy.
Blood on Satan's Claw Blood on Satan's Claw
Horror 1970 96 mins Director: Piers Haggard
Depraved sexual practices and satanic violence envelop a remote country village in this exciting period horror.
The Mummy The Mummy
Horror 1959 88 mins Director: Terence Fisher
Classic Hammer horror of a reanimated ancient Egyptian mummy, who returns from his tomb to seek vengeance on its desecrators.
Featuring Boris Karloff
The Man Who Changed His Mind The Man Who Changed His Mind
Horror 1936 63 mins Director: Robert Stevenson
Boris Karloff stars as Dr. Laurence, a scientist who has devised a way to put one person’s mind into another’s body.
The Ghoul The Ghoul
Horror 1933 80 mins Director: T. Hayes Hunter
The occupants of an old house are menaced by a dead - and very angry - Egyptologist.
Out of This World: Little Lost Robot Out of This World: Little Lost Robot
Science Fiction 1962 51 mins Director: Guy Verney
Boris Karloff introduces the only surviving episode of the elusive sci-fi anthology series, an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s story about a rogue robot.
New
Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life
Documentary 2018 106 mins Director: Tomer Heymann
The private life of a renowned gay porn legend is laid bare in this intimate and insightful documentary.
The Dead Don't Die The Dead Don't Die
Horror 2019 104 mins Director: Jim Jarmusch
Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Tilda Swinton lead this star-studded, bonkers addition to the zombie canon from cult director Jim Jarmusch.
Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge
Biopic 1952 120 mins Director: John Huston
Toulouse Lautrec (José Ferrer) seeks solace in the drink, dance and distractions of the infamous Paris nightclub, in John Huston's exquisitely evoked biopic.
Gwen Gwen
Drama 2018 84 mins Director: William McGregor
A young girl tries desperately to protect her family from illness and dark outside forces in William McGregor's stark period horror.
The Blonde One The Blonde One
Drama 2019 111 mins Director: Marco Berger
A tentative friendship blossoms into a beautiful bromance in this erotically-charged yet disarmingly sweet-natured offering from Marco Berger (Taekwondo).
Diego Maradona Diego Maradona
Documentary 2019 124 mins Director: Asif Kapadia
The supreme football superstar is the latest subject for acclaimed filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna), as he deftly explores the complicated dynamic between Diego the man and Maradona the icon.