The Evil of Frankenstein – 1964 | 84 mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

After a six-year hiatus, Hammer revived the Frankenstein cycle with The Evil of Frankenstein, the third episode in what was now an on-going series but not a true sequel to The Revenge of Frankenstein. By no means the best entry in the saga, in fact frequently regarded as the series nadir, the film nevertheless benefits from the presence of Peter Cushing as the almost nihilistic Baron. On the downside, the script by John Elder/Anthony Hinds is pretty mundane and the direction by Freddie Francis doesn’t always make the most of the situation. Universal Pictures, who were now financing Hammer, contributed to the script and surrendered make-up rights, resulting in Roy Ashton’s original designs going out of the window in favour of a quick Universal makeover.

On the run, Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is using a water mill to continue his experiments. The local priest bursts in and breaks up the laboratory, forcing the Baron to flee once more. The Baron and Hans return to the deserted Chateau in his home town of Karlstaad after a long absence where he discovers one of his previous ‘experiments’ preserved in a glacier. Aided by his assistant Hans (Sandor Eles), he naturally attempts to revive the creature, but again has problems with its brain, which he eventually kick-starts with the help of a drunken carnival hypnotist, “Professor” Zoltan (Peter Woodthorpe). But the hypnotist has a few old scores to settle, and uses the creature to carry out his murderous revenge. Needless to say, the peasants start to revolt again, and send a lynching party to the Chateau. Meanwhile, Zoltan and the Baron are having a little disagreement, which results in Zoltan ordering the creature to kill its creator.