Frankenstein Live

[Preston1990]

To see a trailer or rate this film, please click here »


Directed by Danny Boyle
Starring: Mark Armstrong, Martin Chamberlain, Benedict Cumberbatch, Josie Daxter, Haydon Downing, Steven Elliott, George Harris, Naomie Harris, Daniel Ings, Karl Johnson, John Killoran, Daniel Millar, Jonny Lee Miller, William Nye, Andreea Padurariu,
Ella Smith, John Stah, Lizzie Winkler.

Plot: Frankenstein by Nick Dear, based on a novel by Mary Shelley. This smash-hit production will broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and around the world.

This thrilling new adaption brings the classic gothic tale back to life, featuring a score by Underworld, and Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of The Creature and Victor Frankenstein.

Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire) returns to the theatre to direct this visionary new production.

Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal.

Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale.

Nick Dear on Frankenstein

National Theatre Live Homepage

Get free tickets on the forum

[prettyxcool]

Just made it to Clapham Picturehouse at 6pm on the dot (it was supposed to start at 6pm) and there was still a long queue going in and I made up the rear. What a day, so busy, and did not get a chance to print ticket off earlier at work, then had to go out to a meeting, so had to hurry home to do so, and nearly thought I would not make it. Thanks valda for saving me a seat. Lovely to see funthing29 down south, mesha again, and meet canadian_turtle.

Love theatre, so wasn't sure what to expect by watching a film of it. It was quite heavy going at first, but was totally immersed by the acting of the two main characters. Some of the shots did not seem to work for me, and I think I would have preferred to have seen this live at the theatre, for the better atmosphere experience. 7/10

[funthing29]

I made the effort to see this at Clapham tonight (which is the complete opposite side of London from where I live, so was an hour train ride each way) but it was well worth the effort. There was a short documentary about Frankenstein (book & play) before the film started which was entertaining.

What a fantastic production this was, I wish I’d had the opportunity to watch this live. This showing had Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature which is what I was hoping for. I know both actors got rave reviews but personally I wanted to see Cumberbatch as the monster. His performance of the creature is exquisite – he does a lot of awkward movements which could easily have appeared ridiculous, but I completely believed this was a character learning his way in the world. His sorrow, desperation to be part of society, and his love/hate relationship with his master was beautifully conveyed. Jonny Lee Miller also did very well as Victor, effectively demonstrating the pride, selfishness, stubbornness and guilt of a man determined to act like God.

There was no interval to interrupt the flow of the story. It comes together perfectly with wonderful stage effects (especially the lighting), stellar performances and a haunting score. I would definitely recommend this. 9/10.

Edit: lovely to see pxc, valda and meet canadian_turtle.

[canadian_turtle]

*points to icon* If it isn't blatantly obvious yet I am a fan of the play, well...

I have been lucky enough to see it in theatre but I had not seen it in cinema yet and mainly wanted to check it out for the extras beforehand I had heard people talking about. They were fabulous and I am glad I got to see them!

I have written a far too elaborate review of the play on my blog before (http://canadian-turtle.livejournal.com/277771.html) so I am not going to do that again but I will quickly point out some difference that I found between viewing it in theatre and seeing it in cinema.

The first 20 minutes or so of the play dragged a bit which was made a little worse even in cinema. The rest however I enjoyed thoroughly. Some camera shots did not work (some of the overhead shots come to mind which gave a somewhat distorted view of the stage) but some were amazing and a great addition (the train sequence and the shower bit for instance). There were close-ups of the faces of the characters that showed much more emotion than one could ever see in theatre and the light and sound effects worked really well translated to cinema too (the score especially was crystal clear).

8/10

Also, it was absolutely lovely to see valda, funthing29, prettyxcool and mesha! :)

[kevinknapman]

Was very impressed with this. Initially I was a little unsure as it was very overwhelming, but that seemed like quite an appropriate way to convey the monster's confusion at being abandoned in a strange and frightening world. I was actually hoping to see the casting the other way round but thought that Cumberbatch as the monster was excellent. Oddly it reminded me a little of his own performance as Stephen Hawking back in 2004. Jonny Lee Miller was a little more subdued as Victor though. Best of all though was Karl Johnson who was predictably good as the blind man.
A bold and imaginative production that was surprisingly funny at times. Having said that seeing it on the big screen is no substitute for live theatre. Worth seeing though.

[stuartboy]

I managed to see this last month when Times c**ked up the ticketing and offered a single ticket at each venue before withdrawing them. I managed to talk my way into the members screening which had in fact been an allocated seating performance broadcast live from the theatre to the cinemas (at £15 per ticket!). The version I saw was Cumberbatch as the creator. I am looking forwards to seeing this again next week in the role reversal version.

[Beate]

We went to Greenwich Picturehouse at lunchtime as we were in the vicinity, to enquire about the tickets for the screening on Thursday 14th as sometimes you can exchange for proper paper tickets beforehand. They said they knew nothing about the screening as it was not in their system, and all screenings, free or not, would be on their system so they didn't think this one was happening, especially as they have two p*ying screenings of Frankenstein tomorrow and on the 18th. I found that terribly odd, so the guy at the till kept my printout and wrote down my phone number, promising he would investigate with the manager tomorrow. He has just rung me back and said it would all be going ahead for Thursday 6pm and would be general admission so just turn up before 6pm. As it's not in their system they might not even exchange for proper tickets, just show you to the screen - I admit I forgot to ask the screen number. This means I have to leave work early but at least it's going ahead! Trust me to create panic for myself.

[rawsalsa]

Sorry I'm confused. Does this mean there will be a free screening at Greenwich picturehouse on Thursday at 6pm? Thanks

[Beate]

Erm, yes. http://www.fmuk.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10694

[Kaybeelon]

The last time I looked it was sold out.