----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Just a note on the film...no you should not have to read the book to understand it, but perhaps becoming familiar with the book will help you understand why Branagh's work differs so much from the classic "horror" version of _Frankenstein_. I, myself, prefer the monster as an intelligent being. In Shelley's book, he _is_ the tragic figure. I think that Branagh was aiming for that in his film. If you compare this film to the book, very little was changed. Amy Reynolds Pacific Lutheran University [log in to unmask]