I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The last association that Boris Karloff had with the Frankenstein character came in this low budget Allied Artists film that I remember seeing in the theater in 1958. It was not the best of endings.This time Boris Karloff is playing the last descendant of the Frankenstein clan who's an old man and who in his youth was tortured by the Nazis in an effort to divulge Frankenstein family secrets. It left him quite understandably twisted.Karloff is putting up with a movie company who is shooting on his castle grounds, no doubt shooting a film like Frankenstein 1970, a low budget thriller. The money they're paying him however is paying for an atomic reactor, something his ancestor didn't have, maybe that's the missing ingredient.Of course the bodies start falling, four of them to be precise as Karloff searches for what he needs to revive the Frankenstein monster which he has found and preserved.Boris Karloff and his contemporary Bela Lugosi did both great horror films and a lot of junk. Frankenstein 1970 sad to say falls in the latter category.

In the then future year of 1970, infamous monster-maker Boris Karloff (as Victor von Frankenstein) has fallen on hard times. Crippled and disfigured due to being tortured by Nazis during World War II, Mr. Karloff can no longer afford to maintain his estate. To raise the money needed to buy an atomic reactor (so he can heat the castle), the Baron allows a film crew to move in and shoot some scary movie scenes. As you will quickly see, Karloff is up to the Frankenstein family's old tricks - he intends to bring a Frankenstein monster to life! ...and put you to sleep...About the only thing here worth noting the opening sequence, with shapely blonde Jana Lund (as Carolyn Hayes) hotly pursued. Other than that, "Frankenstein - 1970" created a turkey.** Frankenstein - 1970 (7/20/58) Howard W. Koch ~ Boris Karloff, Tom Duggan, Jana Lund, Don 'Red' Barry

In this incarnation of the Frankenstein films, it is set in the present time and the great-great-great-great grandson (I probably missed or added a 'great') is hosting a Hollywood crew in his castle. They are filming their own Frankenstein film. Why would the Doctor allow them into his home and disturb his peace? Because the money they give him will enable him to continue his research--to make his own Frankenstein monster. Apparently, this Baron needs the funds for his own atomic reactor!! In this film, Boris Karloff plays the Doctor instead of the monster. One oddity about this man is that he was apparently badly tortured by the Nazis and his face is a mess and he has a bad hunched over limp. However, if you watch the film carefully, you'll probably notice that his paralyzed left side of his face changes throughout the film. Sometimes it looks worse than others and it's pretty dead looking, while other times it looks almost normal. Great continuity, huh? Like other Frankensteins, this one is rather amoral and will do ANTHING to further his studies--even kill.This incarnation of Frankenstein is an idiot. After all, instead of going out into the hinterland and killing for body parts, he starts killing members of the crew as well as his friend and butler. And, with his family history, you can't help but assume this Frankenstein is a complete and total moron. As for the monster, you don't even get to see its face until the very end. It's a nice final scene, but also seemed to be too late in coming. Because, by the end of the film, my attention was waning because the story really wasn't that different or interesting to warrant the film to be made in the first place.By the way, why did the doctor need a nuclear reactor--the other Frankensteins did great without one. Also, why kill repeatedly?! Why did he need to keep killing people for various parts? Couldn't he have just harvested the eyes and other parts from the first victim?! Overall, worth watching if you are a die-hard Karloff fan, otherwise this is, at best, a time-passer.

When I was a little guy, my dad and I used to watch creature features on Friday nights and I loved the low budget scares on this show. Now as a middle aged guy who occasionally watches one of these "scary movies" I am amused and amazed at how easily I was scared and fooled. When I saw Frankenstein 1970 was going to be broadcast, I was ready to be disappointed. However I was fooled again.Is this a great movie, NO. Is it a fun movie YES! Any movie who has as the the hero "Red" Berry is low budget. It does however have the great Karloff. He is wonderful. His monologue for the "movie in the movie" is great. Karloff was starting to show his incredibly painful arthritis at this time of his life and it does pain one to think of the agony he is going through. But he is Karloff and actually portrays a Frankenstein for the first time in his career. He does not disappoint.If you love 1950 horrors and you like Karloff you will enjoy this movie. The acting is mediocre (except Karloff) and the Monster Hokey but give it a try.