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All You Need Is Love....

It is not as good as BLAZING SADDLES or THE PRODUCERS or two other Brooks movies that I am fond of: THE TWELVE CHAIRS and Dracula: DEAD AND LOVING IT. But YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is in Mel Brooks' best films, possibly because for all it's puns, jokes, spoofs, and fun it actually takes a moment to invert the actual novella by Mary Shelley and show what could have been the answer.Reading FRANKENSTEIN and seeing it's various incarnations on the movie screen and on television are two different things. Except for occasional documentaries on the history channel near Halloween, most people don't know the origins of the story - just perhaps some vague thoughts regarding the story of the Golem, perhaps, or of some of the odd early electricity experiments conducted by Alexander Volta and his contemporaries on dead frog's leg muscles or on executed criminals. You would also be surprised, in reading the story, to find that most versions on the screens delete a whole portion dealing with Captain Robert Walton's attempt to reach the North Pole by ship (a comparative nightmare that is nearly as deadly to Walton's crew as Victor Frankenstein's experiment is to his family and friends). Yet the tale is so powerful it almost always keeps it's audience attention.Here Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder update the story to 20th Century America, where Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (or Frankensteen, as he insists it is pronounced) is trying to live down his cracked grandfather's experiments. He's a successful brain surgeon and expert, and he reluctantly returns to Transylvania and the family castle to collect an inheritance. In the end he gives into the family tradition - as he says during a nightmare he can't escape his destiny. With Marty Feldman as his hunchback assistant (disgusted by Wilder's change of name pronunciation, he calls Wilder "Froderick" and himself "Whygor"), and Teri Garr as Inger the lab assistant, and Cloris Leachman as Blucher (note off stage horse whinny) as the enthusiastic house keeper, he creates Peter Boyle, only to turn from his creation when he learns it has gotten an abnormal brain by accident.But there is a major change in the story. In the novel Victor gradually realizes that his creation is hideous, and tries to destroy it - only to find it has hate for him in it's heart and destroys anything Victor loves (including his wife on their wedding night, and his best friend). The monster eventually pursues it's creator to his death, and then reveals to Captain Walton that it realizes that Victor was also the father it should have loved - and will destroy itself on a funeral pyre at the end. There is a hopelessness in the novel for the monster's predicament. Nobody is willing to accept the Monster - it's so ugly and frightening.But in the film, Wilder and Brooks offered an alternative in the modern world. While not losing sight of the ridiculous opportunities for the comedy (culminating in Wilder and Boyle dancing and singing "Putting on the Ritz") the screenplay writers also point out that had Victor been kinder to his "son" and treated him with love and understanding (as Wilder demonstrates to Boyle), then the frightful destructiveness and evil of the monster would never have occurred. It is when Frederick treats the monster nicely that Boyle's monster grows into a more stable character, reaching out to Wilder's sudden interest to bring it acceptance from the locals. And in the end the monster finally gets the social acceptance he failed to find in the novella.I don't wish the reader to think YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is an ultra serious film. Boyle's dancing and singing "Putting on the RItz" is worth watching the film for, as is Gene Hackman's cameo (based on the blind hermit played by O. P. Heggie in THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN) - only this blind hermit can't do anything for the monster but accidentally scald or burn it, driving it out of the hermit's home in a panic. Bits like Kenneth Mars' police chief, cheating in a game of darts with Wilder (and Wilder manages to injure a cat and hit Mars limousine and chauffeur's hat) or Madeleine Kahn's refusal to allow her lover to kiss or touch her (she is perfectly prepared for a society party she was invited too - in the end she and Wilder say their farewells by "shaking" their elbows!) are wonderful pieces of nonsense. It does succeed in achieving the amusement of the audience who watches it - what more can one do than achieve the main goal of any Hollywood film, particularly a comedy. It merits eight out of ten.

Young Frankenstein

I always thought one of Gene Wilder's best roles was Willy Wonka, then I discovered this excellent comedy written by him and directed by Mel Brooks. Wilder plays the young nephew of the infamous mad Victor Frankensein, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. He does not want to hear of hear of his relative, but he's going to go through the same process. He creates a monster, and he even gets it to appear in a very funny stage show. Peter Boyle's Monster is pretty good, if a little silent. Also starring Marty Feldman as Igor, Golden Globe nominated Madeline Kahn as Elizabeth, Golden Globe nominated Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher, Teri Garr as Inga and Gene Hackman as the annoying Blindman. It was nominated for the Oscars for Best Sound and Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material. It was number 20 on The 50 Greatest Comedy Films, and it was number 13 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs. Very good!

Mel Brooks' Best

After "Blazing Saddles," Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder married their complementary talents of outrageous and obtuse humor to perfection. This may be this funniest film ever made. Special note about the composer John Morris: he is probably the most unappreciated film composer in history!
This is his greatest score. And he wasn't even nominated an Oscar!

great movie, great deal from amazon

This was one of me and my dad's favorite movies to watch and laugh at together when I was a kid. I saw that it was on DVD and picked up a copy of him for his b-day and a copy for my personal collection. I didn't really check out the extras, so I can't comment on those, but there did seem to be a good bit of extras on the dvd like commentary, deleted scenes, and trailers. The quality of the movies itself was good and I'm so glad that I have this movie now.

sure to become a classic

The conventional wisdom for once is correct. This is one of the greatest comedies ever made, by one of the greatest comedians, Mel Brooks. Wilder, Boyle, Leachman, Feldman and Kahn are at the top of their form here. Hackman's cameo as the blind man has got to be one the funniest five minutes in film ("now don't inhale until the tip glows!"). The parody of the Frankenstein genre is perfect. Anyone who has not seen this gem is living a deprived life.Frau Blucher!!!!

Suit yourself...I'm easy.

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.

Fun for all.

This movie was a laugh-fest. If you know anything about the early days of the horror genre, or the story of Frankenstein, this movie will tickle your funny bone. One of the funniest scenes, in my opinion, is when the monster comes upon the blind man (played by Gene Hackman!) and has a ‘meal' with him. The black-and-white photography is also a treat! I recommend this timeless classic for all the ages…

Fun movie for Halloween

This is the first Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder movie I ever watched all the way through. It is a great spoof of the orginial monster movies of the 40s/50s. It takes every stereotype and turns it on it's head. A descent into madness is more like a wild romp in the woods. I recommend this movie if you need a laugh. It is great Halloween season movie.

Young Frankenstein: 9/10

1974 was Mel Brooks' biggest year, with Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles releasing. Most people, including me, think that Young Frankenstein is the better one.YF starts off with a college class, with Fredrick von Frankenstein (pronounced Fronk-en-steen), played perfectly by Gene Wilder, teaching a science class. We learn that his grandfather tried to reanimate dead beings, and Fredrick doesn't like him. But, he inherits his grandfather's castle and begins working where his grandfather left off.He has to leave his fiancè Elizabeth, played with great snootiness by Madeline Kahn. At the castle, Fredrick meets Igor (pronounced Eye-gor) who is played by bug-eyed Marty Feldman. Also, Fredrick meets Inga, his, ahem, assistant, played by Teri Garr. She is also very funny. So, Fred gets to work and eventually creates a monster, played by Peter Boyle.YF is one of the funniest pictures of all time. Gene Wilder is, as always, great, while Madeline Kahn, who I adore, plays an equally great part as Elizabeth. She exchanges great lines with Fredrick, but so does Inga. Teri Garr is hilarious as his assistant, but I think the funniest part is Igor. He knows when to joke.The funniest part of the movie is the charades ("Said a dirty word!"). Kenneth Mars didn't do anything for me as the mechanical-armed Inspector Kemp, but the dart scene is pretty funny.Not as rude as other Brooks' movies, but funnier that them. If you want to laugh every time you see it, then rent (or even better, buy) Young Frankenstein.My rating: 9/10Rated PG for some language and sex-related humor.

BRILLIANT

Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein" is inspired in every respect, from casting, to scripts, sets, actors, direction, etc; it is timeless in every sense of the word. The material is as funny now as it was then with Wilder and Feldman dishing out some of the funniest dialogue ever penned. Madeline Cahn as Elizabeth is a triumph as is Cloris Leachman's Frau Bluecher. Not a weak link in the cast or in the entire film. Shot in glorious black and white using the actual laboratory set James Whale used in the original "Frankenstein." I never tire of this film and goodness knows I've seen it countless times. Teri Garr, Peter Boyle and Gene Hackman are each absolutely wonderful in their respective roles. Not to be missed. In the event that you're only familiar with the more recent Mel Brooks movies (sadly enough, all dreadful) and wondering why he is considered a legend in the film industry, watch "Young Frankenstein" and you'll understand just exactly why he is deserving of that title.

Child School memories

Five years ago, in June 1995, the Child School chose this film as their "June play" for that year. I remember seeing this film on video for the first time much later in my history, and damn I never forgot it. "Fronkensteen," "Frankenstein," what's the difference? Parody. That's what it is. When Gene Wilder creates his monster, what Peter Boyle does is just want to be loved. What happens....

....sorry, but you have to watch it if you never had to find out!

Highly amusing!

A co-worker lent me his DVD of "Young Frankenstein" after hearing, to his disbelief, that I had never seen it. (Actually, as I watched it, I realized I HAD seen parts of it before, but never the whole thing.) While I would hesitate to agree with the tagline's claim of it being "the funnies comedy of all time," the movie was undeniably hilarious.Gene Wilder did an excellent job in his convincing portrayal of the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstien, and Peter Boyle earned our empathy and laughs as the monster. Extremely funny performances were put in by Marty Feldman (Igor), Teri Garr (Inga) and Kenneth Mars (the inspector). Madeline Kahn (Elizabeth) wasn't as funny as she was in "Clue", but she played her part well.Some of the funniest moments: the moving hump, the werewolf scene ("There, wolf."), the doctor and Inga find the secret passage, sedative charades, the horses' fear of Frau Blucher, the inspector's mechanical arm, the monster's visit to the blind man, and Elizabeth meets Igor and Inga.Definitely worth seeing!

What hump?

This is simply the funniest movie ever! Even if you've seen it a thousand times, this DVD is worth buying for the behind the scenes documentary with out-takes and such.

Excellent conversion

This is an excellent conversion of an excellent class comedy. Absolutely loads of extras have been packed into this RDSL disc including documentaries, interviews, commentary, deleted scenes, outtakes and stills and of course a good print of the movie itself!

My only quibble is with the bizarre case that makes it very hard to take the disc out!

Mel Brooks-Need I say more

Unbelievably funny; great cast; superbly written and directed. A Classic comedy for all ages- no wonder it was re-made as a Broadway play

This's good parodia of the original tape.

Simple presentation of the DVD. Good dialogues. It's is good parodia of the original tape.

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life At Last I've Found You!

Genius is a word used too loosely these days, but it fits perfectly with this film! There is not one sour note to be found in this comedy! Each actor creates a truly one-of-a-kind character and (even better) they work so well together as an ensemble! Gene Hackman is almost unrecognizable as the blindman -- and wickedly funny! Brooks not only sends up Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, but throws in bits of King Kong and My Fair Lady for good measure! There is dialogue and punch lines that will be repeated until the end of time along with a "shifting" hump (and wooden arm) plus some of the most inspired lunacy to ever be filmed in glorious black and white! And Peter Boyle's monster comes to the defense of his master in a speech that will put a lump in your throat -- it's that poignant. You must see this movie! "A riot is an ugly ting, unt -- I tink it's about time zat ve had one!"

What knockers! Sank you doctor...

"I am a scientist!" Gene Wilder rants to his class, "My grandfathers work was doo doo!" Young Frankenstien is a person who has liveed his life under the morbid shadow of his grandfather, Baron Von Frankenstien. This is withoutadoubt (one word) one of the funniest movies you could watch. The movie itself is only partially old, but its black and white filming gives a great classic feeling. There are so many puns that there is no way in heck you could memorize them without repeated viewings. I love that. My brother in law, a rather picky viewer (pickier than me) (even more pickier than others) watched this with me the other day. He was chuckling his head off. Just watching HIS reaction made me roll on the floor with tears coming down my face. (I do that when I laugh hard). Well, I suppose my point is that this movie is a class A comedy, that even the pickiest of people love. The dude is a stone! An unbreakable critic that...well. You get the idea. Watch it for liquid rendering laughs. (Might wanna watch it after the kids go to bed!) *****

very funny

I love Mel Brooks and this movie is one of his best. For me it ranks right up there with Blazing Saddles and Robin Hood Men in tights. The characters in this movie are some of the best comedic performances I have ever seen. My favorites would have to be the monster or a very young Gene Hackman as the blind monk, I laughed so hard at the monk and the monsters scene I nearly woke up my infant son. I recommend this move to anyone looking for one of those movies that will hurt your sides and make juice fly out of your nose.p's. I would buy it now that I rented it, I suggest you all do the same cheers

Whole Grain

If you're a fan of classic horror, this is a good one to have. In an apparent attempt to replicate the technique of the original Universal horrors, this film is INCREDIBLY grainy. I saw the film first run on a big screen and I don't remember it being THIS grainy. It's like the whole thing is infested by billions of swarming gnats. I'm all for the director's intent, but geez. Also, this being Mel Brooks, the humor is (of course) quite ham fisted.