DylanW
Juxtaposed with spectacular special-effects and a well driven plot, Claude Reins' performance as the Invisible Man (Dr Jack Griffin), will make this film go down in history as a horror classic! It's clear-cut plot is perfect, with great performances from Claude Reins and Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley). The visual effects are absolutely stunning, casting the audience speechless. Such detail is paid to these effects as they even accentuate the footprints in the snow! It is definitely a must-see on the visual effects alone! No scene is unimportant; a beautiful scene being held in the first moments of the film, with a man, wrapped in bandages, walking through the snow. Why is this important? Because immediately the audience is thinking: Did he get injured? Or: Was this an accident? Or (which will be the first thought) : Is he this so-called Invisible Man? It is a dark movie, with terrorism and greed, but, there are lighter moments showing us new perspectives to the characters; love relationships, and even sympathy. The script is filled with fantastic quotes - "We'll begin with a reign of terror, a few murders here and there, murders of great men, murders of little men - well, just to show we make no distinction. I might even wreck a train or two... just these fingers around a signalman's throat, that's all." - which even relate to the world of today. This quote resonated to me as an unforgettable line. The fact that he does not distinguish between "murders of great men" and "murders of little men" express more about this character, showing us Dr Griffin's mentality that their deaths are equal. We wish we were born equal, but that now seems as an almost naive mentality. As mentioned earlier, though, the script only seems to improve every moment we see Claude Reins speak (well... don't see, technically) unleashing sympathy and horror, all in the space of a single scene.
oOoBarracuda
I was greatly disappointed to have missed finally seeing The Invisible Man when I made my way through classic horror titles this October. Being stuck inside with an ice storm raging in the middle of December, finally able to watch all the movies I hadn't yet worked through on my DVR, I was instantly convinced that The Invisible Man is more of a winter than an autumnal movie. The Invisible Man takes place during a snow storm as a scientist who has discovered the secret to invisibility by himself becoming invisible. Starring Claude Rains and directed by James Whale in 1933, The Invisible Man remains a classic over 80 years after its release.Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) has finally been given the freedom to conduct his own experiments without oversight. When he disappears from his laboratory without notice, his boss's daughter and love interest become concerned. Griffin has taken a room at a nearby Inn during a snowstorm. Griffin is hoping time will reverse the effects of his most recent experiment rendering him invisible. The longer the waits, the more mad he becomes quickly realizing that the same drug that resulted in his invisibility is also changing his brain chemistry. As he becomes more aggressive and increasingly dangerous, it becomes clear that the only way to save those around him may be to end his own life.Claude Rains is wonderful. I have never thought of this movie without synonymously thinking of Claude Rains. It is mind boggling, to me, to think of Boris Karloff, who was originally cast, in the role. The special effects for this film were incredible considering The Invisible Man was released in 1933. Enhanced with witty dialogue, a strong performance by Rains, and captivating effects, it is no wonder the Invisible Man is considered the classic that it is.
SimonJack
For all the technological advances in moving making well into the 21st century, few films can match the special effects achievement of Universal Studios in this 1933 fantasy, sci-fi movie. "The Invisible Man" is a classic in the genre. The scenes of an invisible man, and partly invisible man are astounding. The cast for the film is excellent, and the story of finding Claud Rains to play Dr. Jack Griffin (aka, the invisible man), is fascinating. Rains had been an accomplished stage actor for some time in England. He had come to America for a Broadway play and while here, he made a screen test for movies. Apparently it was terrible, but when director James Whale heard his voice, he said Rains was the person to play the lead. Considering that the star would be so seldom seen in the film, Whale wanted a distinctive voice that would set the invisible man apart. Rains was perfect for the part and got the role.He is superb here, and this led to a highly successful Hollywood career in which he starred mostly as the second male lead. But his roles were substantial. He may be best known by fans as the French captain of police, Louis Renault, in "Casablanca." Rains had some great roles, playing with leading men and women of Hollywood over four decades. The rest of the cast all give very good performances. An interesting aspect of this film is that it shows the British police as being astute and clever in their pursuit of the man. This is a memorable film and good early example of outstanding cinematography and special effects. It makes a good addition to any serious film library.
Dillon Cain
The Invisible Man, based on the novel by science fiction legend HG Wells is the second successful film about a mad scientist directed by the late James Whale. Claude Rains, in his film debut, is beautifully cast as Jack Griffin, a scientific genius turned megalomaniac. Gloria Stuart while overshadowed like the rest of the cast by the scene stealing Rains, also deserves credit for her role as the love of Griffin's life who helps us glance at his more sympathetic side. William Harrigan's performance as reluctant assistant Kemp on the other hand allows us to see just the opposite as Griffin dominates him at every turn. Whale provides us with fantastic cinematography and his special effects do not seem outdated and even add to the artistic style. Its comedic tone, perfected here long before "comedy horror" became a staple of the genre keeps this film from ever becoming dull or grating even when Una O' Connor is screaming her lungs out. Overall The Invisible Man is far and away the best Universal monster classic and could be one of the best movies of the Pre film code era.
AD
