When a burglar (Harold Goodwin) breaks into Dr. Baron Victor Frankenstein's (Peter Cushing) lab, and unexpectedly discovers Frankenstein's experiments and a severed head Frankenstein realizes he must leave all his work behind and leave for fear of being caught by the police. Frankenstein still hasn't quite perfected the art of human brain transplantation yet and was on his way to see Dr. Frederick Brandt (George Pravda), who had somewhat more success than himself. However shortly before the two were due to meet Brandt went insane and was committed to an asylum. With the London constabulary headed up by Inspector Frisch (Thorley Walters) hot on his trail Frankenstein decides to stay at a guest house run by the rather fine looking Anna Spengler (Veronica Carlson) and her boyfriend Dr. Karl Holst (Simon Ward) who, luckily for Frankenstein, works at the mental asylum that holds Dr. Brandt. After overhearing a conversation in which Karl discusses with Anna stealing cocaine from the asylum where he works, Frankenstein uses this information to blackmail both, Karl to help him with his experiments and Anna to make the coffee, or so it seems anyway. Soon after with Karl's help Frankenstein has stolen all the equipment he needs to set another lab up in the basement of the guest house, and they kidnap Brandt from the asylum. Unfortunately Brandt suffers a fatal coronary, since Frankenstein only needs Brandt's brain, together with Karl he transplants it into another body, that of Professor Richter (Freddie Jones). The transplant is an apparent success. However, Dr. Brandt's wife Ella (Maxine Audley) recognizes Frankenstein on a street corner and starts to ask questions. The police are also sniffing around. Frankenstein decides to disappear again, just as his creation is starting to regain consciousness. Can anyone finally put an end to Dr. Frankensteins ungodly experiments once and for all? Directed by Terence Fisher this was the fifth installment in Hammers series of Frankenstein films, made between Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) and the Horror of Frankenstein (1970). The script by Bert Batt portrays Cushing's Frankenstein as the real monster in this film. He rapes, murders, blackmails, lies and use anyone and everyone for his own ends. Frankenstein's monster is depicted as a scared pathetic creature with strong feelings and who wants revenge on Frankenstein for what he has done. The ending of the film is somewhat weak, and seems a bit rushed. Acting is strong from everyone involved, as you would expect. The production design is great, I love the Victorian feel of these Hammer films, the sets are lush, colourful and very detailed, fine work. There's very little blood or gore, just a severed head, a few stabbings, a brain in a fish tank, some mostly off screen surgical operations and a few splashes of blood here and there. While no explicit nudity is involved, the rape of Anna by Frankenstein is unsettling. Overall a good solid period Frankenstein from Hammer, you could do a lot worse.