Customer Reviews

Young Frankenstein (Widescreen)

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4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

OK Ted this is one movie you'll never get your color on.

This is proof that some life changing movies need to be in Black and white. Color can some time distract from the message.

This film went out of its way to highlight the important parts of the original message and the acting is impeccable.

Young Frankenstein is a tightly written spoof on the series of Hollywood Frankenstein movie sequels. The son of a famous dabbler in the mysteries of life gets intrigued in the craft himself finding it necessary to exchange attributes with his creation.

One of the people in this film that I am keeping a collection of is Teri Garr, "Star Trek" (1966) playing "Roberta Lincoln"(as Terry Garr) in episode: "Assignment: Earth" (episode # 2.26) 3/29/1968. And there is so much of her in this film as Inga. I like the part where the doctor comments on the castle doorknockers and Inga thanks him for the compliment. I was relieved to find the DVD did not say that they were special affects.

And true to the originals, after throwing everything insight into the water, the little girl asks what is left to throw in? The monster (Peter Boyle) just looks out at you knowing the answer.

I bought this movie after reading reveiws on ebay and also reading reveiws elsewhere claming it was one of the funniest movies ever. I was very disapointed with this movie, Laughs where very scarce. Itmay be funny to Frankenstein fans, but being born it the 80's, I have never seen a classic frankenstein movie. I have seen Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein, and Carry on Screaming, both of wich I found to be far more humerous than this movie. If you are a huge Frankenstein Fan or a Mell Brooks Fan you may like this movie, but anyone else I would recomend that you try before you buy (rent).

Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" is not only a loving tribute to James Whale's original Frankenstein films, but a wildly entertaining spoof that still generates laughs years after its original release. This is Brooks in his prime and that is indeed a wonderful sight to behold.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) is the grandson of the notorious Victor Frankenstein. After reviewing his grandfather's work, Frederick tries to recreate the famous reanimation experiment at his ancestral castle. Frederick succeeds in bringing his own creation to life but as luck would have it, there is a problem with the brain implanted in the monster (Peter Boyle). Soon, the monster is roaming the countryside and finding itself in one hilarious situation after another until Frederick catches up with him and promptly puts his tap-dancing talents to good use.

"Young Frankenstein" is blessed with top quality comedic performances from start to finish. Wilder and Boyle are pitch perfect as the doctor and his creation and the supporting cast of Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Terri Garr, Cloris Leachman, and Gene Hackman all shine. The production design also is top notch as the Frankenstein Castle's interiors and exteriors are faithfully recreated - with the help of some of the original props - in glorious black and white and literally look like holdover sets from Universal's "Frankenstein" (1931) and "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935). You would never think that source material like Mary Shelley's original work could inspire such a funny film, but leave it to Brooks to prove it could be done.

"Yah, yah, track twenty-nine...I hope you make it in time!" Non stop gags; a terrific atmosphere, worthy of the classic Universal Frankenstein movies we all know and love...James Whale would have LOVED this! Whenever the name Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman) is mentioned, the horses go into a frenzy of neighs; GREAT stuuf. At night in the graveyard, Igor (Pronounced EYE-GORE) and Wilder are digging up a corpse (digging because Igor took the wrong brain...Abby Normal!) for their nefarious lab work; Wilder starts complaining and Igor (Feldman) says: "Could be worse....could be raining." No sooner are the words out of his mouth then we hear a terrific crash of thunder, then see lightning, and then the skies open up. Then Igor says: "I have a hunch..." This is so funny it can make you sick from laughing; when Peter Boyle, as Frankenstein's Monster, launches into his famous "Puttin' on the Ritz" you are pretty much over the edge and barely able to breathe any more. One of my favorite lines is when Igor is driving Wilder to the Castle and there is a howl in the distance; Wilder says nervously: "What was that?" And Igor replies: "Werewolf." Wilder: "Werewolf?" Igor: "There...wolf."
Feldman, Wilder and Cloris Leachman are wonderful in this, and it was shot, appropriately, in black and white. I was fortunate enough to be at the studio when this was being shot and went onto the set and opened a door in the Castle and there were Peter Boyle, Wilder and Feldman all sitting around a table, taking a break...and Boyle had the most sickening shade of green make-up all over his face; he looked terrific. the sets were fantastic, and it was a thrill to be allowed to see them all. Great stuff and a very funny movie.

Young Frankenstein is one of the few movies that EVERYONE knows. The actors do an excellent job of delivering the great "slap-stick" comedy throughout the film. The entire movie is also delivered in black and white to give it that old horror film feeling, and takes place mostly in the castle of Dr. Frankenstein. Now that the infamous Dr. Frankenstein has passed, his grandson, Fredrick, goes to the castle.

While in the castle he falls upon his grand fathers old library and realizes that bringing people back to life after death could work, and creates a fully operational hulk! This movie is great if you ahve a sharp grasp on humor and a bit of information from the timespan. Some jokes will pass right over the heads of some of the younger viewers, such as the scene where Dr. FRONKenstein (as he likes to be called) arrives at the train station at track 29 and a boy asks if he can give him a shine. Me being a high school student, i am greatful that my jazz choir sang the chatanooga choo choo or i would have never understood that one. in conclusion the movie is a hilarious collection of old cliches about horror movies, yet never gets tiresome like some of monty pythons movies. A great, entertaining trip to Transylvania awaits you!

Mel Brooks is known for his funny movies,and Young Frankenstein may be his funniest of them all.Young Frankenstein stars Gene Wilder as Dr.Frankenstein,Marty Feldman as Igor,Teri Garr as Inga,and Peter Boyle as the monster.It co-stars Gene Hackman,Madeline Kahn,Cloris Leachman,and Kenneth Mars.The plot is that Dr.Fredrick Frankenstein{Wilder},the great-grandson of the famous Dr.Frankenstein,is a professer at an ivy league college.Fredrick wants to shed his family name very badly,so when he is told he must go to Transylvania to recieve an inheritance he refuses to go,but after some thought he goes so he will be left alone.When he gets to Transylvania he is met by Igor{Feldman}who leads him to the castle where he meets Inga{Garr}and Fraubluker{Leachman}.Then the story gets set in motion,that night Inga and Fredrick find the hidden hallway's that lead to the late Dr.Frankenstein's private library where they find some books on how to build a monster.Fredrick then becomes overcome with his great-grandfathers ideas,and decides to build a monster just like his great-grandfather did.So Fredrick along with Igor and Inga get to work,but Fraubluker wants to realease the monster so that he can be free.When she finaly is able to free the monster the trouble starts.As the monster causes panic among the townspeople,so Fredrick,Inga,and Igor try to lure him back to the castle.This Movie is very funny watch for all the spoofs of the original Frankenstein movies,and books.The fake accents are hilarious and Gene Hackman is perfect in his role.This film is for everyone who likes to laugh alot.

People might find other Mel Brooks films to be funnier, pointing to "The Producers" and "Blazzing Saddles," but I still think that "Young Frankenstein" is far and away his best film ever. Of course this might be because a lot of the credit goes to Gene Wilder, who co-wrote the script and plays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous monster maker who finally decides to pick up the family business.

Then there is the first-rate cast, with Peter Boyle as the Monster ("Putting on the Riiittzzzz"), Marty Feldman as Igor ("What hump?"), Madeline Kahn as Elizabeth ("Ah, sweet mystery of life at last you've found me!"), Terri Garr as Inga ("Roll, roll, roll in the hay!", and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (Neeeeiiigghghh!!!!!). I even like the film score by John Morris that sets the right tone from start to finish, including the haunting theme that lures the monster back to the castle where he was born (with a nice French horn part for Igor).

But what I really think makes this film work is that there are several scenes that are played absolutely straight, such as when Frederick reclaims his family name and the Monster is tormented in the jail cell. Then there is the doctor's speech at the moment of creation, which stacks up against anything you will find in any of the classic Universal Frankenstein films: "From that fateful day when stinking bits of slime first crawled from the sea and shouted to the cold stars, 'I am man', our greatest dread has always been the knowledge of our mortality. But tonight, we shall hurl the gauntlet of science into the frightful face of death itself. Tonight, we shall ascend into the heavens. We shall mock the earthquake. We shall command the thunders, and penetrate into the very womb of impervious nature herself!"

Wow. Read that and tell me that Brooks and Wilder did not know what they were doing in this one. Yes, this is a comedy, but it has a strong affection for the films it is spoofing, "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," that comes through in several excellent homages. The extra material included on the DVD shows that Brooks and Wilder left lots of funny shtick on the cutting room floor, which should not surprise anyone. There is no reason that "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers" cannot be included on anybody's list of Top 10 Comedy Films of All-Time. They are both are mine.

This is an all time favorite, I remember watching this on the VCR when I was very young. Now at age 30, I finally bought it on DVD and like the other person said in his review, there are things you pick up on that you never saw when you watched it in the early years, that is if your one of those who have seen this movie before.

This is a must have movie to add to your collection. If you have never seen it, well then you'll be glad you bought it.

By far the funniest of Mel Brooks' movies. After having seen it at least 35 times, I am amazed that while watching it, I can still find something in the background that I hadn't seen previously. Most people are familiar with the main characters, but I am amazed how many people are unfamiliar with who plays the blind man. (Hint: he played Popeye Doyle in the French Connection) My newest revelation is the name of the magazine Dr. Frankenstein is reading on the train to Transylvania. (The Lancet) Keep looking...you'll see things you didn't see before and wonder how you missed it. And you'll see some quirky things. (Like, how, when throwing 5 darts, does one get thrown backwards, yet when the car is pulling away, there are over 9 darts visible between the 3 tires and helmet of the driver.) Sit back, turn on the DVD and have a cup of Ovaltine and enjoy.

Starring one of my favorite actors, Gene Wilder, this is without a doubt one of Mel Brooks' better films. When the not so proud heir of Victor Frankenstein is summoned to the family castle, he creats a second, slightly funnier, Frankenstein monster. Filmed in black and white with wonderful performances by an all-star cast, it's great movie for all, whether your a Mel Brooks fan or not.