I have never read Mary Shelley’s iconic novel “Frankenstein” nor had I seen any film adaptation of her novel prior to the screening of the J. Searle Dawley’s “Frankenstein” (1910). I came in with only the pop culture references I have seen in cartoons, other films, etc. These references caused me to be a bit surprised at the visual content I was presented with. I think everyone can agree that when one thinks of Frankenstein, they think of a sewn up body lying on a gurney being lifted towards the night sky to be electrified with lightning strikes as a mad scientist cackles. The images I was presented in lieu of this imagery was quite more disturbing. The “scientist” in question was presented as more of a chemist or a witch. he mixes together a “potion” and piece by piece a “man” is assembled. As scraps of skin tissue beginning forming over bare bones, the scientists celebrates his creation blind to the disturbing nature to his birth. It is only until the scientists sees the creature in its final form that the scientists is horrified.
The film uses a tall mirror for some scenes. The mirror is used to show the actions of the characters to the audience but also reveals to the creature his appearance. An appearance that even he recognizes to be quite frightening. I think the use of the mirror in the film is to reveal the character’s true perceptions of themselves. It reveals their true nature. For instance, the most revealing scene of the film is the final scene when the creature runs into the room with mirrors after terrifying the scientist’s new wife. He sees himself into the mirror and is once again devastated by what he sees. The creature then disappears from the frame but is still visible in the mirror’s reflection. This is when the scientist runs into the room and sees the monster’s reflection in the mirror rather than his own. After a moment, the monster disappears from the mirror and is replaced by the scientist’s reflection. This is meant to show the audience that the true monster is the scientists. For someone can only create something so impure and against nature by being impure themselves. It is only after he accepts who became in order to create the creature that he could allow the good within himself to come out. The monster was an extension of the scientist’s mind. Once the bad thoughts were pushed out, the monster disappeared.
Overall, a very interesting adaptation. It must be difficult for any filmmaker to compress an entire novel into 15 minutes but “Frankenstein” manages great storytelling and a moral message.