Frankenstein Film Unit Questions

Previewing:

1.  What do you know about the story of Frankenstein? What does the monster look like?

2.  Should scientists…

  1. Be able to genetically alter the genes of unborn children to increase intelligence or strength, or to alter hair or eye color?
  2. Experiment on prisoners or mentally disabled people if it benefits humanity?
  3. Genetically alter crops or animals to better feed humans?
  4. Conduct experiments that could lead to more powerful weapons?

Day One (00:00-34:06)

1.  What motivates Henry Frankenstein to do what he does? Why are some people repulsed by what he does?

2.  How does the film show us Frankenstein’s lack of respect for the dead?

3.  What are your feelings about the monster at this point? Based on what you have seen so far, is he evil?

4.  What does Frankenstein himself think of his creation? Why does he call the monster “it” and not “him”?

5.  What is Elizabeth’s role in the movie?

Day Two: (35:06 – 1:11:00)

1.  What are your feelings about the monster now? Is he human, an evil monster, a lost soul?

2.  What does the monster want? Do you feel bad for him?

3.  How are the townspeople portrayed, and why?

4.  This film was made in 1931. What elements are dated? What is still powerful today?

Bride of Frankenstein

Day One (00:00–35:45)

1.  What is the frame of the story?

2.  How does Dr. Frankenstein feel about what he did in the first film? How has he suffered for it already?

3.  How is Dr. Frankenstein different from Dr. Pretorius? Why do we sympathize with Frankenstein and not him?

4.  How have the music, framing and lighting choices for the monster so far in this film differed from the first film?

5.  Much was said about the monster having the abnormal brain of a criminal in the first film, but little has been said of it in this one. Why do you think this is?

Day Two (35:45-1:13:36)

1.  How does Frankenstein feel about seeing his creation again? How does the director convey this feeling?

2.  Why is Frankenstein not sickened by his female creation? What causes her reaction to the monster?

3.  Why does the monster commit suicide? Why does he kill Pretorius and not Frankenstein?

4.  Why all the Christ images in the second film? What is the director trying to say about the monster and the crowd’s treatment of him?

Closing Questions / Activities

1.  The monster appears to become whatever people expect him to be. Explain his behavior by looking at his interactions throughout the films with the little girl, the townspeople, the blind man, Dr. Pretorius and Dr. Frankenstein.

2.  In the novel, the monster kills Elizabeth, so Frankenstein must suffer for trying to play God. In both films, however, both Dr Frankenstein and Elizabeth escape without serious harm. So how does the director criticize Frankenstein’s actions?

3.  Comment on Young Frankenstein.

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