In the climactic ending of Frankenstein (1931), Henry Frankenstein’s monstrous creation is destroyed by an angry mob who burn down an old windmill where the creature has taken refuge. This ending, while visually iconic, differs significantly from Mary Shelley’s original novel and was shaped by various factors, including censorship concerns and the desire for a more conclusive ending for contemporary audiences12.
The ending of James Whale’s 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein has become one of the most recognizable and enduring in horror cinema. The image of the monster (Boris Karloff) perishing in a burning windmill, while villagers watch from below, is instantly recognizable and has been imitated and parodied countless times3. But how exactly does this dramatic conclusion play out, and what is its significance in the context of the film and its cultural legacy?
A Hollywood Ending
Interestingly, the ending that audiences saw in 1931 wasn’t the original ending planned for the film. The movie was initially scripted and filmed with a much bleaker ending where Dr. Frankenstein seemingly perishes in the windmill fire along with his creation. However, before the film’s release, it was decided to reshoot the ending, giving Henry Frankenstein a chance to survive and marry Elizabeth4. This change, resulting in a more conventional “happy ending,” likely aimed to provide a more satisfying conclusion for audiences and perhaps to avoid the darker implications of the novel’s ending where both Victor Frankenstein and the monster die2.
The Monster’s Rampage and the Villagers’ Wrath
Before the dramatic climax at the windmill, the monster embarks on a path of destruction. Initially kept chained in a dungeon-like cell, he endures torment at the hands of Frankenstein’s hunchbacked assistant, Fritz. The monster eventually breaks free, killing Fritz in the process1. He then wanders into the countryside where he encounters a young girl named Maria playing by a lake. In a tragic incident, the monster accidentally drowns Maria, mistaking her for an object that would float like the flowers they were tossing into the water1.
This scene, with its disturbing imagery of a child’s death, sparked controversy upon the film’s release. In fact, when Universal re-released the film in 1937, the Hays Office, which enforced the Motion Picture Production Code, requested that the scene be cut4. This highlights the cultural sensitivities and censorship standards of the time, particularly regarding the depiction of violence against children.
Maria’s death fuels the villagers’ rage, leading them to form a mob and hunt down the monster. Frankenstein, realizing the danger his creation poses and consumed by guilt, joins the mob in their pursuit. Meanwhile, the monster has kidnapped an unconscious Frankenstein and carried him to an old windmill1.
“It’s Alive!” – Censorship and Controversy
Even the now-iconic line “It’s alive! It’s alive!” uttered by Henry Frankenstein during the creature’s awakening wasn’t without its share of controversy. In some versions of the film, this line, along with Frankenstein’s blasphemous claim to “know what it feels like to be God,” was cut or obscured by censors4. This censorship reflects the social and religious anxieties of the time, where challenging the authority of God was considered taboo.
The Final Confrontation at the Windmill
The villagers, led by Maria’s father, track the monster to the windmill. Frankenstein, who has regained consciousness, is thrown from the top of the mill by the monster but miraculously survives the fall, his descent broken by one of the windmill’s wooden blades1.
Enraged and seeking revenge for the death of Maria, the villagers set the windmill ablaze with the monster trapped inside. The creature, unable to escape, perishes in the fire, bringing a definitive end to the threat it posed to the village1.
Thematic Resolution
The burning of the windmill can be interpreted as more than just a visually dramatic climax. It serves as a symbolic cleansing, purging the village of the monstrous creation and the fear it represents5. The ending also reinforces the film’s core themes:
- The Dangers of Unchecked Ambition: Frankenstein’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and his desire to transcend the limits of nature ultimately lead to tragedy and destruction6. The monster’s death serves as the ultimate consequence of Frankenstein’s hubris.
- Social Alienation: The monster, rejected by society due to his appearance, becomes a symbol of the outsider. His violent actions and eventual demise highlight the destructive nature of social isolation and prejudice6.
- The Consequences of Playing God: Frankenstein’s attempt to create life is presented as a transgression against the natural order. The film’s ending reinforces the idea that tampering with the fundamental forces of life and death has dire consequences7.
Cultural and Historical Context
Frankenstein (1931) was released during a time of significant social and economic upheaval. The Great Depression had gripped the world, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and a sense of despair8. This context likely influenced audience reactions to the film’s ending. The destruction of the monster, a symbol of fear and chaos, may have resonated with audiences yearning for a sense of order and control in a world seemingly spiraling out of control.
Furthermore, the film’s themes of social alienation and the consequences of unchecked ambition may have reflected the anxieties of a society grappling with economic hardship and social unrest9.
Frankenstein (1931) and Other Adaptations
The 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein significantly shaped the popular image of Frankenstein’s monster. Unlike the articulate and introspective creature in Mary Shelley’s novel, Boris Karloff’s portrayal presented a more monstrous and less nuanced figure10. This depiction, with its emphasis on the creature’s physicality and lack of speech, has become the dominant image of Frankenstein’s monster in popular culture.
The ending of the 1931 film also deviates from the novel, offering a more definitive conclusion with the monster’s death in the burning windmill. This differs from the more ambiguous and open-ended conclusion of Shelley’s story11.
Cinematic Legacy
The ending of Frankenstein (1931) helped establish many of the conventions of the horror genre, including the use of suspense, visual effects, and dramatic climaxes12. The film’s influence extends beyond these narrative elements to its visual style. The depiction of Frankenstein’s laboratory, with its crackling electrical equipment and imposing machinery, set the template for the visual representation of the “mad scientist’s” workspace in countless horror films that followed13.
Conclusion
The ending of Frankenstein (1931) is a powerful and iconic conclusion to a groundbreaking horror film. While it differs from Mary Shelley’s original novel in its portrayal of the monster and the ultimate fate of both the creature and its creator, the film’s ending still manages to capture the essence of Shelley’s core message about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing God5. The burning windmill, with the monster perishing within, serves as a potent symbol of both destruction and purification, reinforcing the film’s themes and leaving a lasting impression on audiences. The film’s ending, along with its innovative visual style and memorable performances, has cemented its legacy as a landmark in horror cinema, influencing countless films and shaping the popular image of Frankenstein’s monster for generations to come.
Works Cited
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9. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, accessed February 4, 2025, https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/march-2018-mary-shelleys-frankenstein
10. Frankenstein’s Adaptation Anomaly: The 1931 Film vs. The Original 1818 Novel – YouTube, accessed February 4, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoAEo9SK7ZM
11. The 1931 Movie is a poor adaption of The Original Frankenstein by Marry Shelley – Reddit, accessed February 4, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/828odl/the_1931_movie_is_a_poor_adaption_of_the_original/
12. Frankenstein As the Ancestor of All Horror Films, accessed February 4, 2025, https://www.screamhorrormag.com/frankenstein-as-the-ancestor-of-all-horror-films/
13. Faces of Frankenstein: The Innovation and Influence of James Whale’s ‘Frankenstein’ – Manor Vellum, accessed February 4, 2025, https://manorvellum.medium.com/faces-of-frankenstein-the-innovation-and-influence-of-james-whales-frankenstein-4888cdb0e475