Not part of a collection.
The scariest comedy of all time!
A young neurosurgeon inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. In the castle he finds a funny hunchback, a pretty lab assistant and the elderly housekeeper. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather was delusional, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor described his reanimation experiment, he suddenly changes his mind.
Filipe Manuel Neto
Apr 5, 2024 · via TMDB
**One of the great comic films of the 70s.** Mel Brooks is one of those names in comic cinema that I haven't explored much yet, and that I know more from his fame than from having seen his work. I decided to change that a little by watching this satirical film, which he directed, and in which a grandson of the infamous German doctor and nobleman Dr. Frankenstein, after years denying his name and any association with his grandfather, is called to the family castle for... what? In fact, the script badly explains this decision, but it is important for the film that he returns and that is what he will do. There, he contacts the locals and decides to further explore his grandfather's attempts to reanimate human corpses. As already understood from these lines, the script is not this film's strong point, with a weak story and many problems with a lack of logic. The film needs the characters to make certain decisions, and they will make them without worrying that this corresponds to a logical and understandable attitude. Of course, being a comedy, this is unimportant, and the nonsense also adds to the film's joke, but there are one or two moments where I missed this logic. Brooks' direction is inspired and well done. On a technical level, the black-and-white cinematography stands out, clearly designed to emulate the visual aspect of the great Frankenstein films from the 30s, with Boris Karloff. The lighting work also deserves a positive note, as does the design of the sets, costumes and props. The dialogues, sometimes improvised, work wonderfully and the jokes are excellent, even those that are a little more naughty. As for the cast, the highlight goes entirely to Gene Wilder's inspired performance, in one of the most memorable comic roles he left us. We will always remember him as Willie Wonka, that's for sure, but this film is not far behind and deserves an honorable highlight in the actor's filmography. Alongside him, we also have Marty Feldman, in his most iconic film and in an incredible performance. Peter Boyle and Cloris Leachman also deserve a note of praise.
CinemaSerf
May 27, 2023 · via TMDB
I'd probably best start by saying that I love the writing of Mel Brooks, but I detest the acting style of Gene Wilder - so my views on this are somewhat mixed. It is a spoof - and James Whale ought to be writ large in the credits, as should Glenn Miller and a host of others who have inadvertently contributed to the wonderfully paced script that rarely draws breath. Wilder - the grandson of the eponymous, famously mad scientist - decides to visit Transylvania where he stumbles upon a formula that might just bring the dead back to life. In my view, the acting plaudits go to Marty Feldman, who is great as henchman "Igor" trying desperately to foil the over-the-top antics of the star - who just seems to play each role he takes on in the same, super-hammy, fashion with big eyes and loud, grand gestures that I find most unfunny. Coupled with Brooks, they are, however, on cracking writing form and as parodies go this sets up the whole genre - sometimes overtly and sometimes subtly, but regardless - when you listen to the dialogue you can't help but laugh. For me, it could have done with a less annoying star - but the writing has stood the test of time well and is still very much worth a watch.
Peter McGinn
Feb 12, 2021 · via TMDB
When I had the opportunity Ro watch this film again after decades, due to a Cloris Leachman tribute, I couldn’t resist, despite feeling there was a risk of a familiar problem: that of me not liking a program or movie as a mature adult as much as I had as a young man. I needn’t have worried. This is not Mensa material here, but it is a good example of what Mel Brooks did best, spoof movie genres or other cinematic cliches. Everyone seems to have great fun making this movie, and it shows. Some of the bits have become catch phrases: the horse neighing when a certain name is mentioned, the hilarious sight gag of the secret door (“Put the candle back!), and other classic lines. This doesn’t make any of my Favorites list, but it was well worth revisiting it for the laughs and a glimpse at what my younger self thought was funny, and older self agrees with him.
John Chard
Mar 22, 2020 · via TMDB
For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius. Young Frankenstein is directed by Mel Brooks who also co-writes the screenplay with Gene Wilder. It stars Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Teri Garr and Madeline Kahn. Music is by John Morris and cinematography by Gerald Hirschfeld. Filmed in black and white, Brook's movie is an affectionate spoof of the Frankenstein movies that came out of Universal Studios back in the 1930s. There wolf, there castle. You are either a Mel Brooks fan or not, there doesn't seem to be any middle ground. However, even his most ardent fans admit not all of his productions have paid dividends, but when on song, as he was in 1974 (Blazing Saddles also released), it's justifiable that those fans proclaim him as a spoof maestro. Ineviatbly a bit tame when viewed today, Young Frankenstein is still a picture of high comedy and clinical execution of the film making craft. Everything works, from acting performances, the gags that are both visual and aural delights, to the set design of the Frankenstein castle. It also boasts a smooth storyline, this is not a hodge-podge of ideas lifted from those Universal monster classics, it has a spin on the story and inserts its own memorable scenes along the way (Puttin' on the Ritzzzzzzzz, Oh my!). Of its time for sure, but still great entertainment for the Mel Brooks fan. 8/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Philo
Gene Wilder
Dr. Frankenstein
Peter Boyle
Monster
Marty Feldman
Igor
Madeline Kahn
Elizabeth
Cloris Leachman
Frau Blücher
Teri Garr
Inga
Kenneth Mars
Inspector Kemp
Richard Haydn
Herr Falkstein
Liam Dunn
Mr. Hilltop
Danny Goldman
Medical Student
Oscar Beregi Jr.
Sadistic Jailor
Arthur Malet
Village Elder
Monte Landis
Gravedigger
John Dennis
Orderly in Frankenstein's Class
Rolfe Sedan
Train Conductor
Norbert Schiller
Emcee at Frankenstein's Show
Pat O'Hara
Villager
Michael Fox
Helga's Father
Gene Hackman
Blindman
Berry Kroeger
First Village Elder (uncredited)
Ian Abercrombie
Second Villager (uncredited)
Mel Brooks
Werewolf / Cat / Victor Frankenstein (voice) (uncredited)
Lou Cutell
Frightened Villager (uncredited)
Leoda Richards
Theatre Goer (uncredited)
Jeff Maxwell
Medical Student (uncredited)
Maida Severn
Train Passenger (uncredited)
Arthur Tovey
Member of Angry Mob (uncredited)
Max Wagner
Villager (uncredited)
Dale Hennesy
Production Design
Gerald Hirschfeld
Director of Photography
Dorothy Jeakins
Costume Design
William Tuttle
Makeup Designer
Mel Brooks
Director
James Plannette
Gaffer
Mike Fenton
Casting
John Morris
Conductor
John Morris
Orchestrator
Jonathan Tunick
Orchestrator
John Morris
Original Music Composer
Mary Shelley
Characters
Gene Wilder
Screenplay
Mel Brooks
Screenplay
Gene Wilder
Screenstory
Mel Brooks
Screenstory
Dec 15, 1974
Jan 1, 1981
VHS
Jan 1, 1984
VHS
Jan 1, 1988
VHS
Sep 10, 1996
VHS
Versus
Sign in to play →
Hedonist Hypnotist
1970
Iemand Soos jy
1978
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Top Gun: Maverick
2022 · 11 wins
Joker
2019 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
Hedonist Hypnotist
1970
Iemand Soos jy
1978
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Top Gun: Maverick
2022 · 11 wins
Joker
2019 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.