GODS AND MONSTERS [1998 / 2019] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] One Of The Most Honoured Films Of The Year! A Magnificent Work of Art! Sir Ian McKellen’s Performance is Sheer Brilliance!
Sir Ian McKellen delivers a riveting award winning performance as Hollywood horror director James Whale. It’s 1957 and James Whale’s heyday as the director of ‘Frankenstein,’ ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ and ‘The Invisible Man’ is long behind him. Retired and semi-recluse and in increasingly poor health, he lives his days accompanied by images of his past. When his dour stalwart housekeeper, Hanna [Lynn Redgrave], hires a handsome young gardener, Clayton Boone [Brendan Fraser], a former Marine and Korean War veteran, and the flamboyant director and simple yard man develop and unlikely friendship. This powerful and poignant relationship will change their lives forever. The film is dedicated to the memory of Ron Bechard, Rhonda Schepisi, Les Cripe and Mason Wiley.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1998 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Special Award. 1998 Awards Circuit Community Awards: Nominated: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay for Bill Condon. 1998 Chicago International Film Festival: Win: Audience Choice Award for Best Feature for Bill Condon. 1998 Deauville Film Festival: Win: Critics Award for Bill Condon. Nominated: Grand Special Prize for Bill Condon. 1998 Ghent International Film Festival: Win: Audience Award for Bill Condon. Win: FIPRESCI Prize for Bill Condon. 1998 Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1998 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Best Music for Carter Burwell. 1998 National Board of Review, USA: Win: NBR Award for Best Film. Win: NBR Award for Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Win: NBR Award for Top Ten Films. 1998 New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Nominated: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1998 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards: Win: Best Picture. Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1998 San Sebastián International Film Festival: Win: Silver Seashell Award for Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Win: Silver Seashell Award for Special Prize of the Jury for Bill Condon. Nominated: Golden Seashell Award for Bill Condon. 1998 Seattle International Film Festival: Win: Golden Space Needle Award for Best Director for Bill Condon. 1998 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Performance for a Male for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for Bill Condon. Nominated: Best Actor in a Leading Role Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Lynn Redgrave. 1999 Golden Globes: Win: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Lynn Redgrave. Nominated: Best Motion Picture in a Drama. Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in a Drama for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 BAFTA Film Awards: Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Lynn Redgrave. 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Lynn Redgrave. 1999 Bram Stoker Awards: Win: Screenplay for Bill Condon. 1999 British Independent Film Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Best British Film. Nominated: Best Director for Bill Condon. 1999 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Critics Choice Award for Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Picture. 1999 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 Chlotrudis Awards: Win: Best Movie. Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Best Supporting Actor for Brendan Fraser. Nominated: Best Supporting Actress for Lynn Redgrave. Nominated: Best Director for Bill Condon. 1999 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Picture. 1999 Film Independent Spirit Awards: Win: Best Feature for Gregg Fienberg, Mark R. Harris and Paul Colichman. Win: Best Male Lead for Sir Ian McKellen. Win: Best Supporting Female for Lynn Redgrave. Nominated: Best Screenplay for Bill Condon. 1999 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 GLAAD Media Awards: Win: Outstanding Film (Wide Release). 1999 Il Festival Nazionale del Doppiaggio Voci nell'Ombra: Win: Film Award for Best Male Voice for Sergio Graziani for the dubbing of Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 International Horror Guild: Win: IHG Award for Best Movie. 1999 National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA: Nominated: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 Online Film & Television Association: Win: OFTA Film Award for Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Win: OFTA Film Award for Best Drama Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Drama Actress for Lynn Redgrave. Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Drama Ensemble. Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for Bill Condon. 1999 Online Film Critics Society Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 PGA Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures for Gregg Fienberg, Mark R. Harris and Paul Colichman. 1999 Satellite Awards: Win: Golden Satellite Award for Best Screenplay, Adapted for Bill Condon. Nominated: Golden Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture, Drama for Gregg Fienberg, Mark R. Harris and Paul Colichman. Nominated: Golden Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture in a Drama for Sir Ian McKellen. Nominated: Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in a Drama for Lynn Redgrave. 1999 Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Actor for Sir Ian McKellen. 1999 USC Scripter Award: Nominated: Christopher Bram (author) and Bill Condon (screenwriter). 1999 Writers Guild of America: Nominated: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for Bill Condon. 2000 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards: Nominated: Best Foreign Film. 2000 London Critics Circle Film Awards: Win: ALFS Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year for Lynn Redgrave. 2000 SESC Film Festival, Brazil: Win: Audience Award for Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro) for Sir Ian McKellen. Win: Critics Award for Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro) for Sir Ian McKellen.
FILM FACT No.2: James Whale did have several men and women posed nude for him. Several of his paintings were bought by a collector and loaned to the studio for the making of this film ‘GODS AND MONSTERS.’ James Whale did suffer from strokes towards the end of his life, which affected his mental abilities, and was found dead in his pool. There were rumours that this was a homicide, but the evidence only pointed at suicide. It is a matter of speculation if James Whale had any assistance in his suicide. James Whale's household might have hired a male gardener, but what sort of relationship he had with his employer is in the realm of speculation. In the documentary included on the inferior DVD and in interviews, novelist Christopher Bram explains that the character of Clayton Boone is completely fictitious.
Cast: Sir Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich, David Dukes, Kevin J. O'Connor, Mark Kiely, Jack Plotnick, Rosalind Ayres, Jack Betts, Matt McKenzie, Todd Babcock, Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy, Brandon Kleyla, Pamela Salem, Michael O'Hagan, David Millbern, Amir AboulEla, Marlon Braccia, Jesse H. Long, Owen Masterson, Lisa Vastine, Kent George, Martin Ferrero, David Fabrizio, Jesse James, Lisa Darr, Paul Michael Sandberg, Judson Mills, Arthur Dignam (uncredited), John Gatins (uncredited), John Gatins (uncredited), James Lecesne (uncredited), Sarah Ann Morris (uncredited), Richard Pines (uncredited) and Jennifer Tolkachev (uncredited)
Director: Bill Condon
Producers: Beau Rogers, Clive Barker, David Forrest, Gregg Fienberg, John Schouweiler, Lisa Levy, Mark R. Harris, Paul Colichman, Sam Irvin, Spencer Proffer, Stephen P. Jarchow and Valorie Massalas
Screenplay: Christopher Bram (novel) and Bill Condon (screenplay)
Composer: Carter Burwell
Cinematography: Stephen M. Katz, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Color by DeLuxe)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 105 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: LIONSGATE / BBC Films
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ [1998] World War I veteran and Frankenstein director James Whale had suffered a stroke whose side effects included a mental condition whereby he is afflicted with vivid flashbacks that prevent him from concentrating. The elderly homosexual director notices the shapely shoulders of Clayton Boone [Brendan Fraser], an ex-Marine who trims his Beverly Hills lawn, and asks the young man to model for him. Their friendship grows to a mutual admiration.
The theme of friendship is what makes director Bill Codon’s powerful drama ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’such an emotional experience. The film follows the fictionalized final days of director James Whales life as he closely develops a relationship with his gardener named Clay Boone. What makes the film so memorable for me is the way Bill Condon expresses such honesty with his characters. As much as I love Sir Ian McKellan as James Whales, it is Brendan Fraser who steals the show. I related more to his character because he captured the part of humanity that doesn’t know its place in the world. It’s only until he learns from James Whale in the very important ‘gas mask’ scene that he needs to grow up and be a man and to face his fears about life and live it.
For the first time Brendan Fraser is given a chance to show that he can act, and he doesn't waste the opportunity and he portrays Clayton Boone believably as a rootless young man who is both fascinated and repelled by the strange old director James Whale whose lawn he cuts. Lynn Redgrave is almost unrecognizable in her largely and comedic role as James Whale's faithful housekeeper. And Lolita Davidovich has a small part as one of Clay Boone's old flames.
The force behind bringing the James Whale's story to the screen is executive producer Clive Barker, the creator of the ‘Hellraiser’ series. Clive Barker has a great deal in common with James Whale especially with their nationalities, preferred genres, and sexual preferences are the same and so it comes as no surprise that he would champion this motion picture. The director, Bill Condon, shows the kind of skill behind the camera that one might not associate with a filmmaker whose most impressive previous credit was the film ‘Candyman II.’ But Bill Condon has a fine screenplay and a superlative cast, and, with those two elements in place, he creates a very engaging and effective film.
Sir Ian McKellen is again an Oscar-worthy winner here as James Whale who was a working class lad who reinvented himself as a gentleman amid the carnage of World War I, and with his surprisingly brief film career was highlighted by the films ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Bride Of Frankenstein’ and then faded away from obscurity.
Sir Ian McKellen superbly inhabits James Whale with a mixture of vulnerability, anger and dignity, but the real surprise of the film is actor Brendan Fraser, taking the less showy "listening" role, who etches Clayton Boone's journey from dumb lug to sensitive soul with his underplayed skill as an actor. Also brilliant is the actress Lynn Redgrave who gives an equally impressive and brilliant performance, but sadly was only nominated at certain award ceremonies.
Sir Ian McKellen, who like Clive Barker and James Whale, is a homosexual thespian hailing from England, uses this performance to give the audience a sampling of cinematic magic. Sir Ian McKellen, who is the only worthwhile thing in this film, here really reconfirms why many consider him to be the best Shakespearean actor of his generation. Sir Ian McKellen brings James Whale to life, infusing him with a powerful combination of energy and uncertainty, and capably conveying the virtues and vices expected by the script.
To end this Blu-ray review, I wold like to talk about the ending of the film, especially with the final scene with Clayton Boone walking in the rain like Frankenstein’s monster is about the power of friendship and how we should never forget the people that we love. It moves me to tears every time I watch this scene. That is to me the power of the film ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ and I am so pleased LIONSGATE and BBC Films have finally released this timeless classic film now and not sometime in the near future, as it is a film that is a deservedly winner in my opinion.
GODS AND MONSTERS MUSIC TRACK LIST
JUST MIGHT BE TONIGHT (Written by Spencer Proffer and Steve Plunkett) [Performed by Johnny Spark]
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (Written by Franz Waxman)
Blu-ray Image Quality – LIONSGATE and BBC Films presents this film ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ with the ultimate and spectacular 1080p image and of course with the equally enhanced 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Despite it being a still developing series of BD-R releases, I am very pleased with the image transfer and especially the overall quality. While this is obviously an older outing shot on good old fashioned film, and there are no huge image quality issues here. The detail levels here are generally excellent, especially with the many close-ups, provided by director Bill Condon and cinematographer Stephen M. Katz employ a good amount of palette of colours. Equally good is the contrast, but also on occasions, you do now and again some slight haze to some of the interior scenes. The flashback scene material is sometimes graded towards blue detail in most of those sequences. You do get to view some slight wobble during the credits. But despite some critical response to this film, it is still a very commendable viewing experience.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – LIONSGATE and BBC Films brings us this film ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ with just one standard but brilliant 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ does not really exploit any huge surround effects, but for those of you who appreciate Carter Burwell's film score, you will find it is still a very effective in this film, whereas as some Blu-ray reviewers have given this aspect of the film a very negative response. In any event, the dialogue is very clear and you can hear all of the actors words, as well as the sound effects and especially the brilliant film score by Carter Burwell give us a very decent audio fidelity experience.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras: Sadly there are no supplements offered with this Blu-ray disc and it is unfortunate that LIONSGATE did not feel to add the special features that were with the supplements from their previously inferior DVD release.
Finally, ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ keeps us interested in the life of director James Whale for its full 105-minute running time. Most of us know his monsters, the stiff Boris Karloff, the bizarrely beautiful ‘Bride of Frankenstein,’ and Claude Rains film ‘The Invisible Man,’ but we know little of the individual who gave them life, and faced his own private demons on a daily basis. Bill Condon's film helps to remedy that. ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ is a rich, multi- layered portrait of a director James Whale from Hollywood's Golden Age whose own life was as interesting as any of his films. ‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ is the kind of film that we should be endorsing when we're moved to tell friends and is a challenging film that is really accomplish what it sets out to do, and is nevertheless thoughtfully-conceived and contains a couple of highly enjoyable performances that keeps the film a afloat. Its charms are wholly unique, and the structure is unexpectedly playful at times, so now seek it out, as you will not regret it, because it is such a surprising and engaging beautiful film. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
