# Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

> 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh

**Wikidata**: [Q833180](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q833180)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley's_Frankenstein_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-shelley-s-frankenstein

## Summary
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh that serves as a cinematic adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic Gothic novel. The film prominently features elements of horror while incorporating drama and science fiction genres to retell the famous story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation.

## Key Facts
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh.
- The film is also known by the alias "Frankenstein."
- The film belongs to multiple genres including horror, drama, and science fiction.
- Publication dates for the film include November 4, 1994, January 5, 1995, and sometime in 1994.
- The film has 33 sitelinks across various platforms.
- The official Wikipedia title for this film is "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (film)."

## FAQs
1. What is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh, which adapts the classic Gothic novel by Mary Shelley about a scientist who creates a sentient creature.

2. Who directed Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?
The film was directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also starred in the movie in the role of Victor Frankenstein.

3. What genres does Mary Shelley's Frankenstein belong to?
The film primarily falls within the horror genre but also incorporates elements of drama film and science fiction film, creating a multi-genre approach.

4. When was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein released?
The film was released on November 4, 1994, with other release dates including January 5, 1995, and sometime in 1994.

5. How does Mary Shelley's Frankenstein connect to other film productions?
The film belongs to the broader category of motion pictures, which are sequences of images that create the illusion of movement. While not directly produced by American Zoetrope (a film production studio founded in 1969), it exists within the same ecosystem of major film productions.

## Why It Matters
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein matters as a significant adaptation of one of literature's most famous horror stories. It preserves the Gothic elements and philosophical questions of Shelley's original while bringing them to a modern cinematic audience. The film's production values represented the technological capabilities of 1990s horror filmmaking, influencing subsequent adaptations. Additionally, the film's exploration of themes such as creation, responsibility, and the consequences of unchecked ambition remain relevant to contemporary audiences seeking horror with intellectual depth.

## Notable For
- Being a relatively faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley's original novel compared to many other film versions
- Kenneth Branagh's dual role as both director and star (Victor Frankenstein)
- Its emphasis on horror elements while incorporating drama and science fiction genres
- The film's visual effects and production values for its time period
- Its exploration of the psychological horror aspects of the story

## Body
### Film Overview
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also stars in the lead role of Victor Frankenstein. The film is an adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic 1818 Gothic novel of the same name, though with some creative liberties taken in the screenplay adaptation. Released on November 4, 1994, the film has since gained recognition as one of the more faithful adaptations of Shelley's original work compared to many earlier cinematic versions.

### Genre Classification
The film falls primarily within the horror film genre, which focuses on creating feelings of fear, dread, and terror in the audience. Additionally, it incorporates elements of drama film, exploring serious themes and character development, and science fiction film, dealing with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as the creation of life through scientific means. This multi-genre approach broadens the appeal of the film while staying true to the diverse elements present in Shelley's original novel.

### Production and Release
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was produced with notable production values for its time period, utilizing advanced visual effects to bring the creation sequence and monster to life on screen. The film was released on November 4, 1994, with additional release dates including January 5, 1995, and sometime in 1994. These release dates suggest a staggered release strategy across different markets or formats. The production likely benefited from the technological capabilities available in the mid-1990s for creating convincing special effects that brought the story's fantastical elements to life.

### Literary Connection
As an adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel, the film maintains many of the core themes and plot elements that have made the original story enduring in popular culture. These include the story of Victor Frankenstein's obsession with creating life, the subsequent creation of the monster, the tragic consequences of this creation, and the exploration of what it means to be human. The film's title acknowledges its connection to this literary heritage, positioning it as a cinematic interpretation rather than a complete departure from Shelley's vision.

### Industry Context
The film exists within the broader ecosystem of motion pictures, which are defined as sequences of images that give the impression of movement, stored on film stock. While not directly produced by American Zoetrope, a notable American film production studio founded in 1969 with headquarters in the United States, the film represents the type of major studio production that studios like American Zoetrope might undertake. The film's production likely involved significant investment from film studios familiar with horror and drama genres, as these genres have established audiences and market potential.

### International Market Considerations
The film's international release strategy connects it to various countries, including Japan and the United States, which are significant markets for international cinema. The United States, founded in 1776 and recognized as independent by 1784, represents a major market where the film would need to perform well to justify its production costs. Similarly, Japan, with its constitutional establishment dating back to 1947, represents another important international market where adaptations of Western literary works often find audiences. The film's release in these markets would have been carefully planned to account for cultural differences in audience expectations for horror films.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
The film has garnered 33 sitelinks across various platforms, indicating a moderate but significant presence in online databases and film resources. Its Wikipedia entry titled "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (film)" suggests it has been recognized as a notable adaptation worthy of its own entry in the encyclopedia. The film's legacy continues through its status as one of the more discussed adaptations of Shelley's work, particularly for its visual interpretation of the novel's characters and concepts.

### Cultural Impact
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein represents an important cultural moment in horror cinema, as one of the more faithful adaptations of Shelley's work to reach a mainstream audience. The film's exploration of horror through psychological and existential themes, rather than just physical scares, aligns with the deeper questions raised in Shelley's original novel about the nature of humanity, creation, and responsibility. This approach influenced subsequent horror films that sought to incorporate more thoughtful themes alongside traditional scares.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109836/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/frankenstein-1994)
3. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_13416_frankenstein.de.mary.shelley.html)
4. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/mary-shelleys-frankenstein-film)
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109836/fullcredits)
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. The Movie Database
8. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Rotten Tomatoes
9. Freebase Data Dumps
10. [Source](http://www.zelluloid.de/filme/index.php3?id=13)
11. Kinopoisk
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/frankenstein/)
13. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/87014)
16. Online-Filmdatenbank
17. mymovies.it
18. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/72C2-0710-E5D0-5F2B-23B5-K)
19. Danish Film Database
20. Trakt.tv
21. FilmVandaag.nl