TheLittleSongbird For me the only two that are superior are Curse of Frankenstein and Revenge of Frankenstein(with the weakest being The Evil of Frankenstein). Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is Peter Cushing's penultimate outing as Frankenstein and it's a very strong one.I do have to agree with those saying that the rape scene wasn't all that necessary- it is clear that Frankenstein is depraved but the film did go a bit too far adding that in- and did seem in bad taste. The climax is very exciting and suspenseful but ends a little too hastily, and parts of the second half are a little padded. Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed as with most Hammer horrors is visually accomplished, love the sumptuous Gothic quality of the costume and set design, it's a very colourful film to look at and the film is photographed beautifully and atmospherically. Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is hauntingly scored, with the music really complimenting the atmosphere well and even enhances it while also not over-powering.The script is witty, nuanced and tense with no signs of irrelevant froth or juvenile misplaced humour, while the story has never a dull moment(even with the odd bit of padding in the second half and is always compelling, giving off a really suspenseful, creepy and occasionally violent atmosphere. Two scenes really stood out, the buried body bursting out of the earth is unsettlingly scary and there is a scene between Freddie Jones's character and his wife that genuinely brought tears to the eye. Terence Fisher's direction is taut and unflinching. The acting is very fine all round, with top honours going to a chillingly incisive Peter Cushing as a more evil Frankenstein this time round, an alluring and heartfelt Veronica Carlson(the gowns she wears here suited her) and especially a hauntingly powerful Freddie Jones. All in all, a very strong penultimate Hammer Frankenstein outing for Cushing and the third best of the series after Curse and Revenge. 8/10 Bethany Cox

wilson trivino This film came to my attention when I attended the first Monsterama Con in Atlanta, Georgia in 2014. Veronica Carlson was an honored guest and spoke of this movie Frankenstein Must be Destroyed. She went on to make a total of 3 Frankenstein movies but this one was her favorite. Very distinguished cast and Dr. Frankenstein is portrayed as a gentleman scientist who is eager to get a secret from a colleague that has gone mad. Beautifully filmed and a compelling story line, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is a new favorite of mine. It makes for a nostalgic trip to the 60s and the gentile nature of the world of horror. You can't really keep a secret too long and Dr. Frankenstein plan goes out of control.

Wuchak Hammer did 7 Frankenstein films from the late 50s to early 70s: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958) The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) The Horror of Frankenstein (1970)Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1973) Peter Cushing played Baron Frankenstein in every one of these except "The Horror of Frankenstein" because it was a remake of the original story and they needed a much younger actor to play the role; they chose Ralph Bates (who superbly played the love-to-hate OTT satanist in "Taste the Blood of Dracula" released the same year).In any event, we all know the basic Frankenstein story: A mad scientist is obsessed with creating life from an assortment of body parts. Eventually he succeeds and his creation goes on a killing spree, although the creature is nice to kids 'cause they're innocent. Ultimately the monster must be destroyed (and the Baron usually goes with him).Ho Hum. Forgive me if this basic plot no longer trips my trigger. Thankfully, I recently saw a couple of Frankenstein flicks that stirred my interest in this age-old predictable story: This one and "Lady Frankenstein," detailed below.Hammer's "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed" was, as noted, the fifth film in their 7-film Frankenstein series. THE PLOT: Baron Frankenstein is a fugitive who goes by a different name but is intent on continuing his gruesome work. He ultimately blackmails a young couple in assisting him. They steal a patient from the local insane asylum and successfully transplant his brain into another body, curing his madness.The film is highlighted by Veronica Carlson, who looks a lot like Ursula Andress, but possibly even more beautiful (if you can imagine that).FINAL ANALYSIS: "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed" is one of the best Frankenstein flicks I've seen. It's creative, labyrinthian and full of pizazz. Being a sequel, the film retains the essential elements of the original story but is a natural progression. The REAL monster in this picture is Baron Frankenstein himself; he's no longer a basically good person obsessed with creating life from corpses. His obsession has defiled him to the point of enmity, hate, arrogance, violence, rape and murder.Another great Frankenstein film from this same period is the Italian "Lady Frankenstein," released in 1971, which starred Rosalba Neri (AKA Sara Bey) as the Baron's daughter who overtakes his work after his death. See my review for details.GRADE: A

AaronCapenBanner Terence Fisher directed this fifth Hammer studios "Frankenstein" film that again stars Peter Cushing as Dr. Frankenstein, who is no longer the benevolent searcher of the soul from the previous film, but now(inexplicably) a cold, ruthless murderer who kills a Professor Richter(played by Freddie Jones) in order to place the mind of colleague Dr. Brandt(played by George Pravda) in that body, since Brandt's is failing him, and the Baron wants some valuable medical knowledge only he knows. To accomplish this, he callously blackmails a young couple(played by Simon Ward and Veronica Carlson) into helping him, which will lead to tragedy for all...despite good direction and performances, this is a most unpleasant entry, with gruesome violence and a near rape(!) by Frankenstein. That the film is even semi-watchable is a testament to the talent involved, who just went slumming here...