Gods and Monsters
Gods and Monsters is a 1998 period drama film that recounts the partly fictionalized last days of the life of film director James Whale, whose experience of war in World War I is a central theme. It stars Ian McKellen as Whale, along with Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich and David Dukes. An international co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States, the film is written and directed by Bill Condon, based on Christopher Bram's 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein. The film is produced by Paul Colichman, Gregg Fienberg, and Mark R. Harris.
Plot
In the 1950s, James Whale, the director of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, has retired. Whale lives with his long-time housemaid, Hanna, who loyally cares for him but disapproves of his homosexuality. He has suffered a series of strokes that have left him fragile and tormented by memories: growing up as a poor outcast, his tragic World War I service, and the filming of Bride of Frankenstein. Whale slips into his past and indulges in his fantasies, reminiscing about gay pool parties and sexually teasing an embarrassed, starstruck fan. He battles depression, at times contemplating suicide, as he realizes his life, his attractiveness, and his health are slipping away.
Awards
Cast
- Arthur Dignam
- Brendan Fraser
- Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy
- Curtis Harrington
- David Dukes
- David Millbern
- Ian McKellen
- Jack Betts
- Jack Plotnick
- Jesse James
- John Gatins
- Judson Mills
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Lisa Darr
- Lolita Davidovich
- Lynn Redgrave
- Mark Kiely
- Martin Ferrero
- Matt McKenzie
- Pamela Salem
- Rosalind Ayres
More details
| author | Bill Condon Christopher Bram |
|---|---|
| award | Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay National Board of Review Award for Best Film National Board of Review: Top Ten Films |
| contentLocation | California |
| director | Bill Condon |
| editor | Virginia Katz |
| events | suicide |
| genre | drama |
| keywords | boris karloff bride of frankenstein contemplating suicide depression elsa lanchester film float frankenstein gas mask george cukor grow up homosexuality james whale kiss locker room morning princess margaret reminisce retire stroke suffer suicide note tease world war i world war i gas mask |
| musicBy | Carter Burwell |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay |
| producer | Gregg Fienberg Paul Colichman |
| productionCompany | BBC Films Regent Entertainment Showtime Networks |
| publisher | Lionsgate Films |
| recordedAt | California Vancouver |
| theme | biographical drama filmmaking lgbt-related |