Rent Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)

Andy Warhol's Frankenstein - Flesh for Frankenstein review by NP

Paul Morrissey, best known for his association with notorious pop artist Andy Warhol, writes and directs this adaption of Mary Shelley’s famous monster yarn. Arguably, the monster in this version is the driven Baron Von Frankenstein, played by the excellent Udo Kier. He wants to create an artificial couple to mate and produce an army that will obey his commands. Nothing understated there then, and that includes Kier’s performance which is rich, wide-eyed and convincingly insane. In an interview, Kier admitted his command of English was shaky at the time; he wasn’t aware of what a gall bladder was – the most famous line in the film ‘to know life, you first have to **** death in the gall bladder’ no longer quite has the same impact!

Meant to shock as a priority, the film’s release was originally released in 3D, hence much is made of bloody body parts appearing to pour out of the screen. Some moments are revolting, and the mix of sex, death, dissection and necrophilia is heady. The open-ended finale is frustrating – especially for Srdjan Zelenovic!

Acting is variable. Monique van Vooren is effective as Baroness Katrin Frankenstein, as is writer, model and actress Dalila Di Lazzaro as the nameless silent female ‘monster’. The Baron’s two children witness much of the gore, especially in the latter stages of the story; I'm sure that such a thing wouldn’t happen nowadays. Surely someone somewhere would be offended on behalf of the juveniles. It didn’t do young Nicoletta Elmi (Monica) any harm. Elmi appeared in many Mario Bava and Dario Argentino thrillers throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s and was a familiar face even here, at the age of 9.

Frequently grotesque and surprisingly dull in places, but featuring a musical score (by Claudio Gizzi) that is often breathtakingly gorgeous, Flesh for Frankenstein is nevertheless a must-see if you are a horror film fan. My score is 7 out of 10.