Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)

Grieving over the death of his younger brother, a young doctor (Leonard Whiting) joins forces with another doctor (David McCallum) in creating a "new man" from the parts of various corpses. Loosely based on the classic novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and directed by Jack Smight (HARPER). I wouldn't put too much stock into the "true story" in the film's title. It falsely suggests that it is somehow more faithful to Shelley's novel than other versions when it isn't. Which isn't to say it isn't good because it's very well done, it just isn't all that faithful to the book. The screenplay is by Christopher Isherwood and his longtime partner Don Bachardy (their relationship documented in the excellent 2007 documentary, CHRIS & DON: A LOVE STORY) which may be why many see a gay subtext in the film. I don't but perhaps I'm too obtuse. But it's a well written and well crafted film (originally shown in two parts on NBC). Handsomely shot on location and at Pinewood studios by Arthur Ibbetson (ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS), the movie is most sympathetic to the so called "creature" (Michael Sarrazin) who is an innocent used and abused by his creators. He's a contrast to the decidedly wicked female creature (Jane Seymour) later created by Whiting's Frankenstein and his new collaborator (James Mason). A worthy entry in the Frankenstein film archives. The impressive cast includes John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Agnes Moorehead, Margaret Leighton, Nicola Pagett, Tom Baker, Michael Wilding and Clarissa Kaye ((Mrs. James Mason).