The Bride (1985)

22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(7,889 ratings)

In this update of James Whale's classic The Bride of Frankenstein, pop star Sting furthers his burgeoning film career by portraying cinema's signature mad scientist. Disgusted by his dim-witted and ugly original creation (Clancy Brown), Dr. Frankenstein sets out to animate an improved version.… More In this update of James Whale's classic The Bride of Frankenstein, pop star Sting furthers his burgeoning film career by portraying cinema's signature mad scientist. Disgusted by his dim-witted and ugly original creation (Clancy Brown), Dr. Frankenstein sets out to animate an improved version. Though lovely on the outside, Eva (Jennifer Beals) begins her new life as little more than an animal. With the help of his trusty housekeeper (Geraldine Page), however, Frankenstein soon grooms the beautiful zombie into a reasonable facsimile of an upper-class debutante. He's unprepared, however, when his ward displays a mind -- and sexual urges -- of her own. Meanwhile, the good doctor's discarded original creation assumes the name of Viktor and takes to the road. Befriended by an enterprising dwarf named Rinaldo (David Rappaport), Viktor becomes a circus performer but continues to pine after his bride. Connected to her psychically, he soon makes his way back to the scene of their mutual creation. There, he finds the girl embroiled in a love triangle between a callow suitor (Cary Elwes) and Frankenstein himself. In addition to its iconic '80s leads, The Bride boasts a famous supporting cast that includes gay memoirist Quentin Crisp and '60s model Veruschka. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Franc Roddam
Written By: Lloyd Fonvielle
Genres: Drama, Horror, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 16, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Sep 11, 2001

Critic Reviews

Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
Sting is good but the movie is boring
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
An endearingly strange little re-imagining of Whale's creepy classic.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Interesting concept that basically does not stand up over time; Beals is just not a good enough actress to carry off her part.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Blasphemously bad rehash of Bride of Frankenstein.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

The familiar story takes an interesting if slow divergent path in this update of Whale's classic. Beals and Sting do as well as they can with underwritten material while the Monster, ably played by Clancy Brown and touching on some of Karloff's tender renditions, makes a… More
The familiar story takes an interesting if slow divergent path in this update of Whale's classic. Beals and Sting do as well as they can with underwritten material while the Monster, ably played by Clancy Brown and touching on some of Karloff's tender renditions, makes a friend (David Rappaport, perhaps the heart of the piece) and joins the circus. A surprise.
Greg S

Dr. Frankenstein builds a mate for his creation, but instead decides to turn her into a feminist icon (!), so the original monster leaves to join the circus with a dwarf (!). Pointless and ridiculous "remake" of THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN.
Wahida K

Christ I keep wondering why make many Remakes over the years though I have to admit this Remake was a guilty Joy.
vieras e

Disappointing. The film looks great - the costumes and the sets are wonderful - but there was just something lacking, maybe in the story itself...or in the acting department. ;) Frankly, I wasn't all that interested in the adventures of Viktor and Rinaldo. It felt like they… More
Disappointing. The film looks great - the costumes and the sets are wonderful - but there was just something lacking, maybe in the story itself...or in the acting department. ;) Frankly, I wasn't all that interested in the adventures of Viktor and Rinaldo. It felt like they belonged to an entirely different film.
Ken S

This movie is seriously fantastic in a way only the 80's could produce. Complete with Full Frontal Jennifer Beals, Clancy Brown as the Monster and a midget in the circus! Pure genius
Dr Blood

The scenes between the monster (Clancy Brown) and the dwarf (David Rappaport) are the most touching and memorable in this somewhat overambitious film.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sting as Frankenstein

            Jennifer Beals as Eva

            Anthony Higgins as Clerval

            Clancy Brown as Viktor

            David Rappaport as Rinaldo

            Geraldine Page as Mrs. Baumann

            Alexei Sayle as Magar

            Phil Daniels as Bela

            Veruschka von Lehndorff as Countess

            Quentin Crisp as Dr. Zahlus

            Cary Elwes as Josef

            Jack Birkett as Blind Man

            Carl Chase as Circus Hand

            Janine Duvitski as Serving Girl

            Matthew Guinness as Patron

            Anthony Haygarth as Tavern keeper

            Guy Rolfe as Count

            Gary Shail as Circus Hand

            John Sharp as Bailiff

            Timothy Spall as Paulus

            Stromboli as Circus Performer

            Gerry Crampton as Gentleman

            Joel Baland as Circus Performer

            Andy Barrett as Circus Ringmaster

            Tony Brutus as Patron

            Tod Cody as Circus Performer

            Harold Coyne as Butler

            Fenella Fletcher as Masked Lady

            Karen Furness as Circus Performer

            Miss Irta as Circus Performer

            Joey Kaye as Groom

            Gerard Naprous as Circus Performer

            Sally Oultram as Circus Performer

            Bernard Padden as Houseboy

            Annie Roddam as Countess' Daughter

            Jacqueline Russell as Circus Performer

            Laurence Temple as Circus Performer

            Vera de Vel as Circus Performer

            Andrew dela Tour as Priest

            Ellen Chenoweth
            
            John Alexander as Circus Performer

            Ken Hudson Campbell as Pedlar
See full cast