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Frankenstein (1931): Film vs Book
Film · 1931 · Directed by James Whale · Starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive
About the film
The film that created the screen image of the monster with flat head and bolts.
How close is it to the book?
Loosely based on the bookMany ideas are changed: the creature is nearly wordless, and the thoughtful, articulate being of the novel is gone.
Read or watch first?
Read the book to meet the very different creature the author wrote.
What the book gives you
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A thrilling, atmospheric tale with stormy landscapes, bold ideas and an unforgettable creature. It is the birthplace of modern science fiction, and it still feels fresh.
Who will like it: Readers who love classic gothic atmosphere and big questions about science and responsibility.