Before Dracula, Christopher Lee played another iconic monster in this 1957 horror film

Before Christopher Lee played Star Wars, Lord of the Ringsand Tim Burton films, was a British horror star. In 1957, Lee got his big break by starring in a movie The Curse of Frankensteinone of Hammer Film's productions. A year later, he played Count Dracula in a film titled Hammer Film Dracula cinema based on Bram Stoker's 1897 epistolary novel, but his role in Dracula this wasn't the first time he played the iconic monster.

The Curse of Frankenstein, first film on Hammer Film's Frankenstein franchise, is loosely based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel. The film tells the story of a scientist awaiting execution for the murder of his maid, As tells the story of the events that followed the creation of the monster. The Curse of Frankenstein helped Lee break into the horror world with Hammer Film Productions and inspired other versions Frankenstein, such as Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein history i Lisa Frankenstein with original characters.

Christopher Lee played Frankenstein's monster before his first role as Dracula

The Curse of Frankenstein was Lee's first horror film

Lee starred as Frankenstein's Monster The Curse of Frankensteinalongside Peter Cushing, who played Baron Victor Frankenstein. IN The Curse of Frankenstein, Frankenstein's monster had brain damage that caused him to act violently killing the old blind man and Frankenstein's maid Justine (Valerie Gaunt). Unlike any other Frankenstein adaptations, including James Whale's 1931 classic Lee's Frankenstein's Monster, were unsympathetic and far more terrifying than usual depictions of the creature.

The Curse of Frankenstein was Lee's first role with Hammer Film Productions and the company's first horror film shot in color. 1957 adaptation was also Lee and Peter Cushing's first horror film together before they starred in the film Dracula franchise in which Lee played the title role and Cushing played Dr. Van Helsing. The best after performing in one of the Hammers Dracula kinoLee and Cushing have become an iconic horror duo.

In the USA The Curse of Frankenstein was a commercial success, but British critics found the film too graphic. The film was also a huge success for Lee, as his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster gained attention from audiences and critics and impressed Hammer Film. As a result, Lee keeps working Dracula began his long collaboration with Hammer, who produced many successful films after his first roles.

Why Christopher Lee Was Cast as Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula

Christopher Lee was cast as Count Dracula immediately after the release of The Curse of Frankenstein

Lee cast as Frankenstein's monster The Curse of Frankenstein this was due to his height. Since Lee was six-foot-five, Hammer felt he could perfectly portray Frankenstein's Monster as intimidating, considering his appearance was intended to scare the other characters. Because Hammer Film Productions intended to work with Lee later The Curse of Frankenstein, no one else was considered for the lead role in Dracula. According to the film's producer, Anthony Hind, “It never occurred to any of us to use anyone other than Chris Lee“

Moment Lee's performance as Frankenstein's monster introduced him to the horror genre, his role in Dracula made him famous. Dracula was a commercial success that received much praise from criticsleading to seven sequels to the series. After release The Curse of Frankensteinthe film was hailed as the film that resurrected the horror genre, partly due to Christopher Lee's performance, but mainly due to the film's shooting in color and gory effects.

Key background facts

• The film starred Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing A small village (1948), Moulin Rouge (1952) i Alexander the Great (1956), but they met on the set The Curse of Frankenstein for the first time.
• Hammer Films considered the slightly taller Bernard Bresslaw, who was six foot seven, for the role.
• Christopher Lee's niece, Harriet Walter, played Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley's mother Frankenstein: Rise of the Monster (2003).

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  Director

  Terence Fisher

  Release date

  June 25, 1957

  Writers

  Jimmy Sangster and Mary Shelley

  Execution time

  82 minutes

  Increase

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  Director

  Terence Fisher

  Release date

  May 8, 1958

  Writers

  Bram Stoker and Jimmy Sangster

  To throw

  Peter Cushing, Krzysztof Lee Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Carol Marsh, Olga Dickie, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt, Janina Faye, Barbara Archer, Charles Lloyd Pack, George Merritt, George Woodbridge, George Benson, Miles Malleson

  Execution time

  82 minutes

  Increase