Second Sight Films, out now

A young doctor is interned in an asylum where Baron Frankenstein supposedly perished after being found experimenting on stolen corpses.

On paper, Hammer’s final Frankenstein movie has a lot going for it. Peter Cushing is back as the cadaver-resurrecting doctor, Hammer stalwart Terence Fisher is back behind the camera, James Bernard is on scoring duties and the early 1970s has allowed a new permissiveness that can be showcased through more gore. And yet, the cycle feels completely exhausted by this stage. Nothing new is being brought to the table and the whole exercise reeks of ‘been there, done it better’.

From the use of ‘day for night’ to the familiar supporting cast (Dave Prowse, Patrick Troughton, Shane Briant), to studio-locked action, it feels like a classic Hammer, but lacks any soul. Everyone is just going through the motions, and the ending sets things up for a further instalment that surely no one believed was going to happen.

Notwithstanding the above gripes, Second Sight has released a handsome limited edition that ensures the movie does at least look its best in high definition (occasional blocky grain does creep in), boasting both the original UK theatrical aspect ratio 1.66:1 and alternative full frame1.37:1. A new audio commentary by film academic Kat Ellinger complements an archive commentary by Shane Briant, Madeline Smith and Marcus Hearn, there’s an Appreciation of the movie by Frankenstein expert David Huckvale, a featurette on the score and other archive features. The limited edition features a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Graham Humphrey, a soft cover book with new writing, and a handful of art cards.

Verdict: Those who bought Icon’s 2014 release might balk at the prospect of a double dip, but the fans will lap up this special edition of a not so special film. 7/10

Nick Joy

Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk