Victors desperation is now communicated. He is so obsessed with his work that he doesn’t even keep in contact with his family or his fianc�e, Elizabeth back in Geneva. As the experiment undergoes, the music kicks off once more. It adds to the spookiness in the scene. The eels are then released in to the tank. The audience are given a close up of the electrodes producing electricity. (His experiments with electricity are not mentioned in the novel).
This is a significant shot because it constructs a daunting and spine-chilling effect. Victor then climbs on top of the tank and shouts “Live! Live!”. At last his experiment is successful. The creature opens its eyes and Victor shouts “Yes! Yes!” He turns the power off and dashes back to the tank. The monsters eyes are shut. Distraught, Victor yells “no!”. As he turns and walks away from the tank, he hears movement. Believing he still has hope he returns over to the tank. The creature reaches out for him and the tank falls sideways. As Victor is struggling with a goo-covered creature, it begins to sink in that he has done something terrible.
The music in the laboratory scene is powerfully utilised to heighten the feeling of suspense. This is created by the use of orchestral music. The key instruments include violins, drums and bass. It brings tension to the sense of Frankenstein’s anxiety. The music throughout the film creates non-diogetic sounds which adds to the dramatic effect of the scenes. This is important because the film would be nothing without creating a spooky effect. The tension built is like a balloon about to pop- you don’t know when it will happen.
In addition to music, sound also plays a pivotal role in intensifying the suspenseful quality of this sequence. The clanking chains produce a really atmospheric scene and suggest something is about to happen. It makes the audience feel spooked. The sound of the crackling electricity also produces a spooky effect, as it sends a chill down your spine. The sound of gushing water plays an important role in the scene. It is a good example of a non-diogetic sound. Silence also plays an important role in the sequence. This occurs when he realises the creature is alive after all.
Another cinematic device that is instrumental in denoting tension and suspense is lighting. The atmospheric qualities suggest death and despair. When I watched the film I noticed minimal lighting such as candle lighting, natural light and soft spotlights. These add to the atmosphere in the scene where Victor is preparing for the experiment. I found that the natural light was most effective because it denotes Victor is shutting himself out from the rest of the world. He is too weak to face his family or friends and puts his life on the line for the sake of his experiments.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein recreates the genre in cinematic form. It brings dramatic quality to the sequence. I think this the best version of Frankenstein because it has a massive effect on the audience. The music heightens the feeling of suspense, the sound intensifies the suspenseful quality and the lighting denotes tension and suspense. Also, the spookiness in the laboratory intensifies it even more and has viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the scene.
