The Monster Legacy [DVD]

One of the highlights is the documentary that comes with the set which kind of puts the films in context but also lets you know what you're missing. Immediately I NEED Lon Chaney's version of 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'The man who laughs' which would have been perfect additions to the set but I can understand why they were ommited (I wanted to get my hands on the films with the big three in and most people who buy tis will be the same) but historically they should have been included.

I spent the best part of a week with these films. They look amazing (black and white film is such a beautiful medium for horror), there's some repetition to the story (monster escapes, monster causes havoc, monster gets foiled) but the storylines are inventive enough to make them addictive. Karloff and Lugosi (for Igor more than Dracula) are amazing and Lon Chaney Junior as the wolf Man plays a very deep character for the times (a tad bulky when he plays Dracula). Elsa Lanchester as the Bride of Frankensten is a complete hottie too.

I don't care either way about the busts - if it made the set cheaper or there had been more films I'd rather the set had been like that but they look good and are well made and will probably hold the set's value as you see the Frankenstein / Bride of Frankenstein set going for a song everywhere.

If you're teetering then go for it, The films stand the test of time (although there are no resolution endings - something movie storylines must have added later - the monster dies and then credits roll, usually during this) and the films are so atmospheric. I can imagine taking them all out every year, lining them up by year and ploughing through them again and completely enjoying it.

The only drawback will be that you'll need more.

These films collect all Frankenstein, Dracula and Wolfman films made by Universal in the 30s and 40s and each generally lasts just over an hour. Make sure you watch them in the right date order because they have jumbled them up amongst the discs - but by watching them in the right order it will not only make each sequel a little bit clearer but you will also delight in spotting the many inconsistencies from one film to the next (eg Wolfman getting shot in House of Frankenstein and then re-appearing in House of Dracula without any apparent explanation!).

The stunning sets of ruined castles and foggy graveyards, the highly effective black and white contrasts, the emphasis on facial expressions (still left over from silent films) - all simply add to the eerie and wierdly wonderful ambience.

Much of the acting is superb, particularly from Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi - but hidden gems include the performance of Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) from Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. The scene where he triumpantly screams "He's alive!Alive!" will retain its place in cinematic history. His next line "My God! My God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!" was, interestingly, censored from the original release in 1931.

If you are either watching these for the first time, or re-living those Saturday night Horror Double Bills from the 70s, you are in for a treat. Enjoy!