The Bride (1985)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Franc Roddam

Writers:

Mary Shelley (novel)
Lloyd Fonvielle (writer)

Release Date:

16 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Romance

Tagline:

Here Comes . . .The BRIDE

Plot:

Sting is Doctor Frankenstein in this remake of the old classic film Bride of Frankenstein (1935). After years of research, the doctor finally succeeds in creating the perfect woman, who gets the name "Eva".

Plot Keywords:

Frankenstein | Remake | Doctor Frankenstein | Monster | Female Frontal Nudity

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Sting	...	Baron Charles Frankenstein
Jennifer Beals	...	Eva
Anthony Higgins	...	Clerval
Clancy Brown	...	Viktor
David Rappaport	...	Rinaldo the Midget
Geraldine Page	...	Mrs. Baumann
Alexei Sayle	...	Magar
Phil Daniels	...	Bela
Veruschka von Lehndorff	...	Countess (as Veruschka)
Quentin Crisp	...	Dr. Zalhus
Cary Elwes	...	Capt. Josef Schoden
Timothy Spall	...	Paulus (as Tim Spall)
Ken Campbell	...	Pedlar
Guy Rolfe	...	Count
Andy de la Tour	...	Priest (as Andrew De La Tour)
Tony Haygarth	...	Tavern keeper
Matthew Guinness	...	First Patron
Tony Brutus	...	Second Patron
Gary Shail	...	First Circus Hand
Carl Chase	...	Second Circus Hand
Bernard Padden	...	Houseboy
Janine Duvitski	...	Serving Girl
John Sharp	...	Bailiff
Jack Birkett	...	Blind Man
Gerry Crampton	...	Gentleman
Fenella Fletcher	...	Masked Lady
Joe Kaye	...	Frankenstein's Groom
Harold Coyne	...	Vernon
Stromboli	...	Circus Performer
Karen Furness	...	Circus Performer
John Alexander	...	Circus Performer
Jacqueline Russell	...	Circus Performer
Tod Cody	...	Circus Performer
Laurence Temple	...	Circus Performer
Gerard Naprous	...	Circus Performer
Vera De Vel	...	Circus Performer
Sally Oultram	...	Circus Performer
Joëlle Baland	...	Circus Performer (as Joel Baland)
Miss Irta	...	Circus Performer
Andy Barrat	...	Circus Ringmaster (as Andy Barratt)
Annie Roddam	...	Countess's Daughter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Harry Fielder	...	Circus man (uncredited)

Directed by
Franc Roddam

Writing credits
Mary Shelley		(novel "Frankenstein")
Lloyd Fonvielle		(writer)

Produced by
Keith Addis	....	executive producer
Victor Drai	....	producer
Lloyd Fonvielle	....	associate producer
Chris Kenny	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Maurice Jarre

Cinematography by
Stephen H. Burum

Film Editing by
Michael Ellis

Casting by
Ellen Chenoweth

Production Design by
Michael Seymour

Art Direction by
Bryan Graves		(supervising art director)

Set Decoration by
Tessa Davies

Costume Design by
Shirley Russell

Makeup Department
Tricia Cameron	....	assistant hair stylist
Sallie Evans	....	assistant makeup artist
Sarah Monzani	....	head of makeup
Aaron Sherman	....	prosthetics creator
Maralyn Sherman	....	prosthetics creator
Maureen Stephenson	....	assistant makeup artist
Chris Taylor	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Bernard Mazauric	....	production manager
Ted Morley	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Laurent Brégeat	....	assistant director: France (as Laurent Bregeat)
Chris Brock	....	second assistant director
Patrick Clayton	....	first assistant director
Callum McDougall	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Andrew Ackland-Snow	....	draughtsman
Bruce Bigg	....	property master
Roy Evans	....	construction manager
Robin Heinson	....	painter
Martin Hitchcock	....	draughtsman
Damien Lanfranchi	....	art director: France
David McHenry	....	assistant art director
Grahame Ménage	....	scenic artist
Brian Read	....	prop buyer
James Whiting	....	laboratory designer (as Jim Whiting)

Sound Department
Peter Bond	....	footsteps/dialogue editor
John Ireland	....	sound editor
David John	....	sound mixer
Matthew Launay	....	sound assistant
Hugh Strain	....	dubbing mixer
Len Tremble	....	assistant sound editor

Special Effects by
Peter Fern	....	special effects technician
Peter Hutchinson	....	special effects supervisor
Peter Skehan	....	special effects technician
Bob Wiesinger	....	wire specialist

Stunts
Roy Alon	....	stunts
Gerry Crampton	....	stunt coordinator
Dorothy Ford	....	stunts
Tony Friel	....	stunt double: Rinaldos
Nick Gillard	....	stunts
Dinny Powell	....	stunts
Denise Ryan	....	stunts
Alan Stuart	....	stunts
Malcolm Weaver	....	stunts
Jason White	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
David Budd	....	assistant camera
John Clarke	....	best boy
Tony Cridlin	....	key grip
W.C. 'Chunky' Huse	....	key grip: Grip House (as Chunky Huse)
Simon Mills	....	camera loader
John Palmer	....	camera operator
Bob Penn	....	still photographer
Ronnie Fox Rogers	....	second camera operator
Laurie Shane	....	gaffer
Carlos Melville	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Joyce Gallie	....	additional casting
Caroline Mazauric	....	extras casting
Sally Wignall	....	assistant casting: UK

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rebecca Breed	....	wardrobe mistress
Janet Macklam	....	wardrobe assistant
Don Mothersill	....	wardrobe assistant
Richard Pointing	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Paul Hodgson	....	first assistant editor
Christopher Young	....	second assistant editor

Music Department
Robin Clarke	....	music editor
Maurice Jarre	....	conductor
Dick Lewzey	....	music mixer
Michel Mention	....	orchestrator
Christopher Palmer	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Andy Birmingham	....	production accountant
Carina Cooper	....	assistant: Mr. Roddam
Michèle Girot	....	production accountant: France
Joanna Gollins	....	location manager
Pauline Granby	....	assistant accountant
Yvonne Heeks	....	assistant accountant
Cheryl Leigh	....	script supervisor
Don Levy	....	publicist
Derek Lyons	....	stand-in
Marilyse Morgan	....	production coordinator
Christine Raspillère	....	location manager
Patricia Reid-Douglas	....	production secretary: France (as Patricia Reid)
Antoine Sabarros	....	location manager
Dena Vincent	....	contact: London
Lisa M. Violé	....	assistant to producer (as Lisa Violé)

Production Companies

• Colgems Productions Ltd.
• Columbia Pictures Corporation
• Delphi III Productions
• Lee International Studios

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1985) (USA) (theatrical)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1986) (USA) (VHS)
• Fox Video (video)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Leonard of London  hair consulting
• Renown Freight  freight agents

Runtime:

Australia:114 min | USA:118 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:14 | West Germany:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Ain, France

Company:

Colgems Productions Ltd.

Trivia:

Perry Fenwick passed on this project

Quotes:

Clerval: The trouble with free women Charles, is they're free to despise us. It's a risk I find unacceptable.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook (1991)

Soundtrack:

Eine Kleine Nachtsmusik

A Dark Fantasy of a Movie

In this wonderful movie, Sting plays Dr. Frankenstein, who after already creating his first monster and finding him disappointing and annoying has decided to create the perfect woman. He's successful in his pursuit, but the first monster, Clancy Brown in a heartwarming role, is chased away after becoming a little to possessive of his new bride.

The monster runs off into the woods and befriends a little person, Rinaldo the Midget, played wonderfully by David Rappaport, on his way to join the circus. He invites the monster along, and gives him the name of Victor. It is from Rinaldo, who's patient and understanding in a way Dr. Frankenstein never was, that Victor learns how to get by in life, how to behave, how to share, and to go after your dreams.

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Dr. Frankenstein is trying to educate and enlighten his newest creation Eva, a lovely and talented Jennifer Beals. He aspires to create the perfect woman, as intelligent and independent as a man. He does not, however, consider the full implications of his aspirations.

As Eva grows and learns, she begins to ask questions. She has been lied to about who she is and where she comes from. Much to Dr. Frankenstein's annoyance, she has become strong-willed and independent, just like a man, but obviously not quite what he had considered. He had also not considered how arousing he would find her.

Victor and Rinaldo successfully join the circus after much persuading, but Rinaldo longs for his dream to visit Venice, and Victor discovers he longs for his dream of Eva, his intended.

As the movie progresses, there is an obvious connection between the two characters which they are aware of, but aren't in contact with each other.

As Dr. Frankenstein introduces Eva into society with a few little mishaps, Eva discovers a handsome young soldier played by a very young Cary Elwes. He pursues her as he would any woman he would like to bed, much to agitation of Dr. Frankenstein.

The movie moves towards its climax, bringing with it an intensity and a heartfelt conclusion that makes it overall a remarkable movie.

Sting manages to convey Dr. Frankenstein's increasing frustration with his independent, disobedient, yet lovely creation, a dark character who also enjoys his opium from time to time. The scenes with Victor and Rinaldo are wonderful. Jennifer Beals is perfectly bewitching, at first unknowing and naive, then becoming strong and intelligent as the movie progresses, yet still revealing an innocence to her character.

I think anyone would be charmed and entertained by this wonderful movie, and I highly recommend it to all.