| The Bride | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Franc Roddam |
| Written by | Lloyd Fonvielle |
| Based on | Frankenstein by Mary Shelley |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Stephen H. Burum |
| Edited by | Michael Ellis |
| Music by | Maurice Jarre |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 119 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
|
| Language | English |
| Budget | $13 million[2] |
| Box office | $3.6 million[3] |
The Bride is a 1985 British-American horror film directed by Franc Roddam and written by Lloyd Fonvielle, based on Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. The film stars Sting as Baron Charles Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals as Eva, a woman he creates in the same fashion as his infamous monster.
The film, an international co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States, was released theatrically on August 16, 1985 by Columbia Pictures to generally negative reviews from critics. It was a commercial failure, grossing only $3.6 million.[3]
Plot[edit]
Charles, Baron Frankenstein, Dr. Zalhus, and Frankenstein's assistant, Paulus, attempt to create a female mate, Eva, for his creation. They succeed, creating Eva, who is physically identical to a human and lacking the deformities of the monster. As such, she is revolted by the monster and rejects him. This causes the monster to fly into a rage and destroy Frankenstein's laboratory. Frankenstein, believing the monster has died, flees with Eva back to Castle Frankenstein. There he falls in love with her and educates her with the goal of making her a perfect human mate.
The monster, having survived, wanders into the countryside where he befriends a dwarf, Rinaldo. As they learn more about one another, Rinaldo eventually gives the monster more humanity by gracing him with a name: Viktor ("he will win"). They become involved with a circus owner who eventually kills Rinaldo, causing Viktor to sink into a state of deep sorrow and rage.
Viktor decides to return to Castle Frankenstein to retrieve his mate. At this time, Eva discovers that she shares a psychic link with Viktor. She rejects the Baron as Viktor arrives at the castle to rescue her. The Baron confronts Viktor, and falls to his death when they fight. Viktor returns to Eva and when she awakens, he turns to leave. Eva asks him to stay and he introduces himself to her with his name. She tells him the meaning of his name, which pleases him. She asks if he knows who made him and he reveals that it was the Baron. Reunited, they head off to Venice to fulfill Rinaldo's dream.
Cast[edit]
- Sting as Baron Charles Frankenstein
- Jennifer Beals as Eva
- Clancy Brown as Viktor, the Monster
- Geraldine Page as Mrs. Baumann
- David Rappaport as Rinaldo the Dwarf
- Anthony Higgins as Clerval
- Alexei Sayle as Magar
- Veruschka von Lehndorff as Countess
- Quentin Crisp as Dr. Zalhus
- Cary Elwes as Captain Josef Schoden
- Phil Daniels as Bela
- Timothy Spall as Paulus
- Ken Campbell as Pedlar
- Guy Rolfe as Count
- Tony Haygarth as Tavern Keeper
Production notes[edit]
Frankstein's full name in the film is Baron Charles Frankenstein, unlike Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein or the classic Universal Studios movie's Henry Frankenstein. The dwarf in the film is named Rinaldo, after the name of blacklisted Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein screenwriter Frederic I. Rinaldo, who also wrote the scripts for several Universal films, including Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951); Hold That Ghost (1941); The Black Cat (1941) and The Invisible Woman (1940).
Some scenes were shot amidst the statuary at the Gardens of Bomarzo in Lazio, Italy.
Reception[edit]
Colin Greenland reviewed The Bride for White Dwarf #73, and stated that "Derek Hayes and Phil Austin animate a powerful story with close affinities to the best strips in magazines like Warrior or Escape. Go and see it."[4]
The film earned negative reviews from critics and holds a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 reviews.[5] Jennifer Beals' performance in the film earned her a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.
Release[edit]
Columbia Pictures released the film theatrically on August 16, 1985 and it grossed $3,558,669 at the domestic box office.[3]
The film was released on DVD by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment in 2001.[6]
Scream Factory released the film on Blu-ray September 25, 2018 featuring an audio commentary from Franc Roddam, as well as interviews with Roddam and Clancy Brown.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Bride (15)". British Board of Film Classification. July 16, 1985. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
- ^ "AFI|Catalog".
- ^ a b c The Bride at Box Office Mojo
- ^ Greenland, Colin (January 1986). "2020 Vision". White Dwarf. Games Workshop (73): 8.
- ^ "The Bride (1985)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
- ^ "The Bride (DVD)". dvdempire.com. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "The Bride (Blu-ray)". shoutfactory.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.