Mary Shelleys gothic novelFrankensteinis a story constantly being retold but almost never has it been retoldfaithfully.
This habit of less-than-faithful adaptations of Shelleys work goes back a long time.
Do you Know the Story of Frankenstein?
Glory-driven Walton is on an Arctic expedition when his crew finds a cold and broken Victor Frankenstein.
It is a story of creation and abandonment and family.
I am malicious because I am miserable.
Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?
(Well, youcouldreadFrankenstein, which is one of those classics that holds up remarkably well.)
Everything from the Monsters raven hair to his loquacious love for John Milton was transferred to television in tact.
British film director Danny Boyle brought Frankenstein to the stage starringBenedict CumberbatchandJonny Lee Miller.
Two sides of the same coin.
Two creatures eventually brought down by their guilt, hate, and anger.
The Powers That Be prefer that the ephemerality of the performance be preserved.
One can only hope this meansFrankensteinwill find its way to cinemas again for more encore performances.
Why Does Frankenstein Resist Faithful Adaptation?
Why isFrankensteinso rarely adapted with a sense of fidelity?
There are many interpretations of theFrankensteinstory many of them autobiographically-based.
This is one of the reasons it is such a good story.
These interpretations are not mutually exclusive, but the latter is often valued over the former.
After all, they are all periphary characters.
But they are the characters who suffer the most.
Or at least the ones who suffer the most with the least amount of power to change their fates.
Elizabeth and the Creatures female companion are never granted that same power.
The Future of Frankenstein Adaptations
AsthisDen of Geekarticlepoints out, faithfulness does not equate to quality.
There are too many variables involved, too many possible permutations to make sweeping generalizations.
Sadly, as far as I know, there are currently no faithfulFrankensteinadaptations in the works.
Whatishappening in theFrankensteinadaptation world?
Recently, a whole lot of biopics about Mary Shelley.
Elsewhere,HBO Maxhasordered a series calledThe Shelley SocietyfromRiverdale/Sabrinashowrunner RobertoAguirre-Sacasa.
