One hundred years ago the very first film adaptation of Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus was released to an unsuspecting public still dazzled by the medium of cinema itself. Mary Shelley's tome had been quite a popular subject for theatre prior to this film in numerous manifestations, but when this film came out it was considered a radical reinterpretation of the text and was perhaps the first film to convert another medium into a cinematic experience. It was a sensation.
Produced by The Edison Company (yes, Thomas Edison) it was billed as a "liberal adaptation" and it could hardly be anything else being only 16 minutes long. Though striking for its day and considered rather visceral it has a rather odd 
mystical tone to it which most contemporary critics agree makes for a strange ending. Still
watching it today you can see past the incredible datedness and can imagine the shock of it when it was first seen.
But I think you can enjoy it now not just as a historical document but also as a surreal little film that could have come out of the imagination of a David Lynch or Guy Maddin.
Here is the most complete version available running around twelve minutes.
Enjoy this one hundred year old monster movie.
