Opinions sought

[mme_hardy]

They're re-showing the National Theatre production of Frankenstein.   If I can only see one version, which actor do I choose as the Creature? 

Comments

[cupcake_goth]

I liked Cumberbatch's version of the creature better than JLM's.

[legionseagle]

BC. His Victor (which is the one I saw live) is not sufficiently distinguished from his Sherlock to be all that interesting (Victor Frankenstein is essentially a fundamentally stupid Sherlock who has no John to save him from himself) but his Creature is amazing; childlike and confiding; brutal and cynical and always dazzling.

Jonny Lee Miller is also very good in both roles, btw.

[violetisblue]

I only got a chance to see the version with BC as the Creature, but seconding everyone who said he was great in that part.

[laurashapiro]

This.

[neadods]

I've seen both versions and TBH, I preferred Cumberbatch in both roles.

The Creature gets a lot more "screen time." Also: almost naked.

However, Cumberbatch had a bit of stage business as Victor that JLM didn't do and it made my blood run cold. (Also, the guy playing the father forgets an extremely important line the night Cumbercreature was taped). So there's a lot to be said for CumberVictor.

That said, if you go CumberCreature, I'm willing to share the business and the line after.

[wild_irises]

Me too. By a pretty wide margin.

[legionseagle]

Would be interested in the business too; I saw CumberVictor on stage & CumberCreature on the screen, and while the stage was (obviously) amazing, fine bits of business are more likely to get lost than with the close-up of the screen (though if it was when they were looking for his brother, I think I have an inkling).

My favourite moment with CumberCreature is with the old blind man in the hut. His body language was amazing.

[neadods]

That was an amazing scene!

The bit I'm thinking of is when he's telling his fiancée he'll come back and marry her, and it's so subtle that it would easily be lost on stage from more than a few rows back. Don't want to give the spoiler, though, until our hostess has chosen.

[mme_hardy]

I'll put up a separate spoiler (for the play, obvs, not the book) post when I've seen it, in a couple of weeks?

[neadods]

Works for me!