Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2021) Shout!
Directed By: Thomas Hamilton
Starring: Sara Karloff, Boris Karloff (Archival), Joe Dante, Guillermo del Toro, Roger Corman, Dick Miller
Plot Summary: Best known for his role as “The Monster” in the classic horror films Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939), this documentary examines Karloff’s extraordinary 60-year career in the entertainment industry, as well as his continuing influence as a horror icon.
It’s October, the perfect time of year to grab a shovel, dig up some best “fiends” and enjoy some classic horror films. Therefore, it seems rather fitting this time to pay tribute to one of the original icons of horror, Boris Karloff. His performance as Frankenstein’s Monster is a watershed moment in the genre and to this day has had a lasting impact on pop-culture. Director Thomas Hamilton aims to peel back the layers of makeup to discover the man behind the numerous roles. I am always a bit skeptical about a documentary on a subject that I know a lot about. Will it offer any new or interesting insights? Well, I have to say that it indeed does offer a lot, even to a diehard film nerd like myself. Hamilton does a nice job at providing a nice, easy-to-follow blueprint into the life and fascinating career of Karloff. Helping to bring this to life is an excellent array of filmmakers, historians and co-stars.
The interview subjects are candid, lively and provide a nice depth of context into the rich life and work of Karloff. Not to mention a treasure trove of rare audio interviews with the man himself. Also included are rare behind the scenes clips, photos and television appearances.
As much as I liked the documentary, I did have a few issues with it. The overall visual presentation could have used a tighter focus. For example, the greenscreen backgrounds are at times cheesy and wildly inconsistent. Towards the end, Christopher Plummer just has a plain blue background which is rather awkward looking. I also would have liked some more archival interviews with former Karloff co-stars. Even some narrated interviews given by Karloff or his co-stars would have been interesting. These are really just a small complaint, and I didn’t think it detracted from the overall great documentary. For scholars and genre fans alike, Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster is a real graveyard smash!
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Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
