Written by: Michael Den Boer on June 18th, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: Dates: USA, 2006
Director: John R. Hand
Writer: John R. Hand
Cast: John R. Hand, Amy Olivastro, Chester Delacruz, Chip Chism, Mike Ensley, Karl Borst, Wade Best, Evan Block, Justine Davis, Lemmie Crews, Nathan Burns, Richard Cullison, Erin Pittkin
DVD released: May 22nd, 2007
Approximate running time: 77 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Unearthed Films
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.99
Synopsis: Victor Karlstein a young doctor with a promising future slowly starts to lose himself after the death of his girlfriend. Obsessed with her death and unable to let go he decides to bring her back to life by giving her a brand new body made up the best parts. Will Victor ever be able to find happiness or will his need for perfection ultimately be his own undoing?
Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare marks the directorial debut of filmmaker John R. Hand who also wrote, produced and played one of the films prominent roles Victor Karlstein. The film is a unique and at times familiar take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein which has been made into movies or served as a basis for countless other movies over the last century. The films narrative is thin at times as director John R. Hand tends to rely on images and the films ambient sound motifs to tell the story more then words being spoken between characters.
The feel and look of Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare has all the markings of what cult fans have come to expect while watching grind house cinema. The films meager budget doesn’t affect any of its creativity like its inventive lighting or vivid use of colors. The deaths scenes are all well done and have an ample amount of bloodshed. The final act of the film tings really start to get weird even when compared to the rest of the film. In this final act the tone also shifts to a more sexual nature and focuses not as much on violence like earlier parts of the film.
The films’ score which uses a combination of music from composer Johannes Brahms as well as music created by director John M. Hand. This music is created to The Greys. Fans of filmmakers David Lynch, David Cronenberg and writers like William S. Burroughs will enjoy this film more then your average horror fan who is just interested in blood and guts and could care less about anything on a cerebral level. Ultimately Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare is best described as an abstract tapestry of interesting ideas that take a familiar iconic character Frankenstein and the end result is something unlike anything you have ever seen.
The DVD:
The transfer Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare looks good considering the films low budget origins. Two strikes against the transfer are that it is interlaced and edge enhancement is noticeable throughout.
This release comes with one audio option a Dolby Digital 5.1 English language track. The audio sounds clean, clear and there are no audio defects.
Extras for this release include a thirteen minute making of documentary, a photo gallery, a trailer for Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare and trailers for other Unearthed Films titles. The main extra include with this release is an audio commentary with director John R. Hand. Overall Frankensteins Bloody Nightmare is a superb piece of surreal filmmaking and now it can be seen via Unearthed Films superb DVD release.