The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: Frankenstein (1910)

What are the films that shaped the world of cinema? The article series, The Wasteland Collection, will be my curated list of films that helped shape film over the hundred plus years of this medium’s existence. Highlighting the filmmakers, actors, genres, technical advancements, and any other factor that helped the art form as a whole take steps forward in creating what we have today. 

Frankenstein (1910)

Why has adaptation become such a significant fixture in the history of film? So many different artforms have been transformed and morphed into the world of cinema. There are plays and other stage performances that have made the leap to the silver screen for over a century. There are songs, articles, and traditional cultural tales that have as well. But books and literature in general have become such a large portion of adapted films. Books have been a significant artform in society for centuries and hit on the deeply human nature of loving storytelling. But since the dawn of cinema, we have had plenty of books adapted into films. A familiar story that is beloved by so many makes it easier to sell them on seeing a film if it is based on something they already care about. Frankenstein, released in 1910, is one of the most significant adaptations of early cinema.

But is this 1910 film a “good” adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel? It depends on your definition of a “good adaptation”. The film captures the core narrative of a young scientist who reanimates dead tissue into new life. It captures the God complex of Frankenstein as well as the morally gray place in which a person of science defies basics of nature and existence. But the story is certainly truncated and simplified to fit a narrative that is only around 13-minutes. The ending is completely changed to capture a significant theme through some intriguing symbolism. The stalking of Frankenstein of his creation pushes him to the darkest parts of the world in Shelley’s novel but here there is a poignant last sequence of the creation staring into a mirror and disappearing. What doesn’t disappear? His reflection. Who looks into the mirror and sees the creation instead of his own reflection? Frankenstein. He is the monster. That theme is still important in this adaptation like it was in the book, but the narrative and symbolic approach is changed to fit such a short narrative canvas. That is what makes this such an interesting example of adaptation. Change the narrative to keep the themes.

What is the main reason what their adaptation has withstood the test of time and still makes impact? The creation sequence is one of the impressive early examples of special effects. James Whale and Universal redefined what the Frankenstein creation method is for pop culture, but this 1910 adaptation is a little bit truer to the original idea from the novel. It is more lowkey and does not take place in a giant sprawling laboratory. But the difference is the rebuilding of a body from more molecular materials. We see a full skeleton that slowly regrows its flesh…but it lacks a truly human feel (which effectively adds to the horror). The camera holds in place as we see early stop motion animation at work as the body is rebuilt. We also see the skeleton moving and reacting during the process which makes it considerably more unnerving to watch. This might not make your skin crawl as much in 2024 but this had to be quite frightening for audiences in 1910. The design of the creation is also something that is unique and creepy. This does not look like a mutilated corpse like in the novel or Kenneth Branagh’s version from the 1990s. But it also does not influence the iconic Boris Karloff look for Universal’s Frankenstein. But this costuming and make-up is more grotesque and other-worldly. This does not look like a being that used to be human. There are giant clawed looking hands and furry/leafy looking manes that is just so strange.

Is this film still worth a watch? First off, it is so short that it is not a big ask. The film can also be easily found on YouTube for free which helps with that roadblock as well. This film certainly feels of its time with silent filmmaking. There are letters that pop up on screen to drop exposition since the characters cannot talk. Their performances are BIG as they cannot speak about their feelings, and they must express it through their actions. The creation raised his arms to the sky and yelled at God and we knew exactly what they were trying to express. But this has quite an impressive impact on early cinema and worth giving a watch.