Original subtitles

It was on a dreary night of November

that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.

With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony,

I collected the instruments of life around me

that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing

that lay at my feet.

It was already 1:00 in the morning.

The rain pattered dismally against the panes.

My candle was nearly burned out when,

by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light,

I saw the dull, yellow eye of the creature open.

Ah!

Matthew!

I couldn't help it.

He looked so scared.

- I was not scared. - Were too.

Frankenstein's supposed to be scary.

It's a monster story.

Well, it's more than a monster story.

It explores the wonder of medical science --

the possibility of building life from death.

But why would anyone want to make a person

out of dead body parts anyway?

A doctor might.

Do you think you could build a person, Ma?

Well, the question really is whether it would be ethical.

What's that?

Whether it would be right to do so.

But could you do it?

With some time, Brian, who knows?

Maybe -- maybe that's Frankenstein's monster

that's been prowling around in the woods out there.

Well, I highly doubt that.

Hank said something's been eating the animals

out of his traps -- bones and all.

Mr. Bray said he saw footprints near the creek

twice the size of a grizzly bear.

Well, perhaps it's someone playing a Halloween prank.

You really think there's a monster out there, Sully?

Oh, I don't know if it's a monster or not,

but something's been taking those animals out of the traps.

That's for sure.

Well, I don't know why I bother reading to any of you at all.

Clearly the town's gossip proves more entertaining.

But I want to hear more of the story.

Sorry. Time for bed.

- Not yet. - I'm gonna go.

Good night.

- Goodbye. - Bye, kids.

Bye.

Well, after all this talk,

I hope you'll be able to fall asleep.

I can if you read a little more to me.

Please, Ma.

I'm not scared of monsters.

All right.

Mm.

I'll read you something in the monster's own words.

The more I saw the cottages,

the greater became my desire to claim their protection

and kindness.

My heart yearned to be known and loved.

He don't sound like much of a monster.

Well, he was really just a lonely man.

Why was he so lonely?

The people judged him by the way he looked.

And they were frightened of him because they never got to know him.

And he was really a gentle soul.

I know what I want to be this year for Halloween.

I want to be Frankenstein's monster.

Oh!

It's all right. It's all right.

D-Don't be afraid.

I'm not gonna hurt ya!

I'm just gonna try to pry that open.

But your leg's hurt real bad.

We got to get you out of there.

You got to help me, please.

You're free.

Wait, you're bleeding. Wait!

Hey, everybody.

Hey, everybody!

Kid, what do you want? We're in a hurry.

I found...

Where you all going?

We're going off to hunt down that animal, that's where we're going.

What animal?

The one that's been raiding my traps.

The one that chased the widow Bernie through the woods.

Scared the daylights out of her.

Let's go.

I'm losing money every minute we sit here yapping.

You better be careful.

It could be dangerous out there.

Horace, why don't you just go on back inside

and tap on your telegraph.

So, what was it you seen got you so fired up?

Nothing.

Let's go.

Come on. Hyah!

Hyah, hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah, hyah!

Hey, mister?

Mr. Monster?

Please don't run.

I brought you something to eat.

Here.

There's even a piece of Ms. Grace's blueberry pie.

Looks like your leg's getting worse.

You got to do something about it.

My ma's a doctor.

I bet you never heard of a lady doctor before.

But I swear she is, and a good one, too.

She'll help you.

It's dark. I'm getting worried.

I'll go look for him.

- Brian! - Sorry, everybody.

Where have you been?

You're not gonna believe this.

I've got the monster in the barn.

No, really. I got the monster in the barn.

- Yeah. - He's hurt.

I told him you'd fix him.

Just as soon as I finish my dinner.

You got to come now.

Brian.

Sit down.

I'm telling the truth, Sully.

Honest.

Well.

If you want me to come look at a monster,

I'll come and look at a monster.

Thanks, Ma.

We'll be right back.

All right.

No, it's all right.

He's not gonna hurt us.

He's just scared.

His leg's hurt.

He was caught in one of Hank's traps.

I promised him you'd fix him.

Colleen, please go get my bag.

Don't be frightened.

How did this happen?

He can't talk.

Looks like he was in a fire.

It's all right.

Looks like it has an infection.

I'm sorry if this hurts.

What's this about?

We're hunting for the monster.

We've got the posse waiting down at the crossing.

Surely you don't believe those monster stories.

Well, there's something out there.

Why, just an hour ago, I heard the sound of smashing glass.

I come downstairs, and my store windows was broke.

Oh, could have been some rowdy boys

getting ready for Halloween.

Weren't no rowdy boys.

It was a monster, and we're gonna find him.

Don't suppose you'd care to join us, Sully?

You could ride that horse of Dr. Mike's.

You're always bragging about how fast she is.

Flash is limping.

Since when?

I'll go with you.

Matthew?

They're right, Dr. Mike.

If there's something dangerous out there.

We ought to find it.

Well, good luck.

I know he didn't break those windows, Ma,

because he was with me.

I believe you, Brian.

Maybe if I just told Mr. Bray, everything would be all right.

I'm afraid that's not all they're angry about.

Did you take the animals out of Hank's traps?

Must have needed them for food.

Then why did you do it?

Maybe he felt sorry for 'em, the way I felt sorry for him

when I found him with his leg caught.

I can't blame him.

The iron traps Hank uses are cruel and unnecessary.

That's why Sully uses snares.

That's right, Brian.

Michaela, come here.

Maybe he was just trying to do some good.

But still, we don't know this man.

I don't think he means any harm.

There's a posse out there looking for him,

and they're not gonna stop.

But he needs help.

It's not just his leg.

It's his face that makes them all believe he's a monster.

Well you can't fix that.

He seems so sad.

Yes, he does, Brian.

- How come he can't talk? - I don't know.

There doesn't be any sign of damage to his vocal cords.

Perhaps he was traumatized.

Shocked by something that he went through,

and so he stopped speaking.

We got to do something to help him.

Please?

I've been reading about medical history.

Did you know that surgeons used to stand by at duels,

so that if an ear or a finger were severed by a sword,

it could be sewn back on?

The human body is remarkable.

Our skin has the ability to grow back.

Well, when doctors discovered this, they --

they started a new branch of surgery called plastic.

It comes from the Greek word meaning to change form.

For instance, rhinoplasty is building a new nose.

It's done by borrowing skin from the forehead.

Such procedures are experimental and not without risk.

But if performed properly...

Look.

This woman had injuries similar to your own.

Her operation was successful.

I'd like to perform these procedures on you.

If you give me a chance, I could --

I could give you a new face.

Please, let me help you.

Won't you even consider?

If only we knew what had happened to him.

That's an unusual lantern.

Perhaps Sully could take a look at it.

Maybe then we'd know more about him.

Ask him if we can borrow it.

That's a nice lantern.

Mind if I borrow it?

Don't worry.

We'll bring it back.

You can trust us.

Lantern?

That's a headlight from a train.

That's what I thought.

Yep, see here?

- Six four nine? - Yeah, it's the engine number.

They used to engrave 'em right on the headlight.

Engineers used to take these home with them at night.

They're made of silver.

Folks would steal 'em right off the train.

Where'd you get it?

I come across it,

but if it's stolen, I'd like to know.

Well, you could get Horace

to wire the railroad company to find out.

Thank you. Thanks, Robert E.

Come on, boy.

You ever been on a train?

I rode one all the way to Boston and back.

Through the woods, and over mountains,

and across rivers.

Oops.

Train wreck.

Horace printed up posters for Jake.

They got a bounty out on that monster.

A bounty?

Afternoon, ladies.

Hey.

Mike, can I talk to you a minute?

Certainly, Sully. Excuse me.

Got an answer back from the railroad.

Union Pacific.

Engine 649.

Left Kansas City on April 3rd, 1867,

headed for Denver...

but never arrived.

It went off a bridge --

a fiery crash.

There were no survivors.

At least that's what everyone thought.

How terrible it must have been for you.

There must be times when you feel it that it

would have been more merciful to have died with the others.

Well, I can't do anything to help them now.

But I could help you.

You've been wandering in the woods.

That's no way to live.

And now a bounty on your head.

Hunted for things that you never even did.

You deserve better.

Well, if you won't do it for yourself, then do it for others.

The operation, as I said, is experimental,

and a success with it would help people in the future

so they won't have to suffer the way you have.

Why are you taking a chance like this?

He said yes to the operations,

and this is the only place I can do them.

And you think operating on him's a good idea?

Well, why not?

Because he's been through so much already.

That's why he deserves a chance at a normal life.

But it's just a chance.

It's not a guarantee.

There's no guarantee with any operation.

You always had faith in me before.

I know.

I know, I'm just saying...

maybe it's best you just leave this man in peace.

Does he look like he's in peace?

Sully, he's in pain.

- Did he tell you that? - I can see it in his eyes.

I want to help him.

- I know you do. - I want to recreate him.

Create him?

What are you talking about?

You sound like you're playing God.

No.

I'm only doing my job.

I create life every time I --

I do something as simple as a suture

because if I didn't, the person would bleed to death.

It's not the same.

To me, it is.

The first thing I'm going to do is find some soft,

malleable skin on your forehead.

We're going to use that reconstruct your nose.

Then I'll take some skin from your leg

and, uh, use it to repair your neck.

I'm gonna trace a pattern on your forehead now.

After I take the flap, I'm going to sew it back up.

It'll leave a scar, but it won't be that noticeable.

It's just the first step.

Are you ready?

Chloroform, please.

I need you to hold the skin taut.

- Like this? - Yes, that's good.

I'm gonna cut the scar tissue on his neck.

The injury is in his skin,

so I have to be careful not to cut too deep.

We'll put in the skin graft now.

I have to be careful to immobilize the graft

so we don't lose the blood supply.

Oh, Loren.

Since when do you start locking the door?

Well, I --I wasn't expecting you.

Not expecting me?

Don't I deliver these supply packages to you every Thursday?

I must have forgotten, then.

You'll, uh, have to excuse me.

I'm very busy at the moment.

What are you doing in there?

Um, I --

I'm doing some experiments.

Well, I'm sure I don't understand

what kind of experiments you could be doing to leave you

all covered in blood.

Well, there's a great deal

you don't understand about medicine, Loren,

just as there's a great deal I don't understand about business.

Good day.

The skin is gaining color.

It looks like the circulation is improving.

I think the graft is taking.

It's amazing.

Here, I --I need to trim off a few of the edges

because these parts didn't take.

Hand me, uh, forceps and scissors, please.

She's been holed up in that clinic for a week now.

And always burning the midnight oil.

Why don't you go over there and find out what she's up to.

I just might.

Then again, I got some midnight oil of my own to burn.

Huh.

I know it looks strange right now,

but it is coming along nicely.

The -- the nasal flap looks very good.

In another couple of days I'll --

I'll be able to sever it.

I'd like to let the stitches get some air for a bit.

I'll go down and get you some soup from Grace's.

I'll be right back.

Michaela?

Fetch Pa.

Get up there already.

Michaela?

Michaela, are you here?

Oh, Sully.

- Oh. - What's wrong, Dorothy?

I -- I just been to the clinic.

Did you see Dr. Mike?

She wasn't there. I went upstairs.

Now, I wasn't trying to pry.

I didn't mean to see.

I just open the door, and there he was.

You should never have gone in there, Dorothy.

I've been listening to all these rumors for days now

that she's doing some kind of crazy experiment.

I defended her.

And then to see that dead body, laying there.

He's not dead.

What?

She's fixing him.

Fixing him?!

Whatever for?

That horrible creature.

You know Michaela.

She never gives up.

She has some hope that she can do him some good.

Well, why is it all a big secret?

Why is she hiding him?

I can't talk about this any more.

The best thing you can do is not get involved.

Just forget what you saw.

Dorothy?

Forget what you saw.

And this is the last step.

I'm gonna cut the flap dividing the attachment

between the forehead and the nose.

Small plate, please.

Then we'll give him some iron and quinine to help him heal.

And then we'll just have to wait.

Ma told me you were having trouble sleeping.

She always reads to me when I can't sleep.

Since it's almost Halloween, I brought Frankenstein.

Don't worry, I'll skip the scary parts.

This is where the monster finds a blind man.

Because he can't see him,

the blind man ain't scared of him.

The old man continued, "I am poor,

but it will afford me pleasure to be of service

to a human creature."

The monster replied, "I thank you,

and accept your generous offer.

You raised me from the dust by this kindness."

How come we got to meet like this?

Because it's a secret.

We won't want Dr. Mike to see.

The light's still on in her window over at the clinic.

Dorothy tried to visit her yesterday.

Tell them what you saw.

Well, I'm -- I'm -- I'm not sure what I saw.

Why, you were white as a sheet

when you come out of there, woman.

You must have seen something.

You saw that monster, didn't you?

I don't know that it was a monster.

I mean, it could have been a person.

It just ain't like no person I ever saw.

What'd it look like?

It was -- it was huge and had a horrible face.

It looked like it was dead.

What's she doing working on dead bodies?

Sully said she was trying to fix it.

You talked to Sully about this?

Well, I was just hoping for some answers.

But he seemed like he was trying to keep things quiet.

He goes along with any crazy thing she does.

He always has.

Love is blind.

So the rumors are true.

Well, of course they're true.

That's how they get to be rumors.

Trying to bring the dead back to life.

It ain't natural.

What's she gonna do if she does fix him?

Let him loose in our town?

Some horrible monster made from dead parts.

Michaela, open up.

We know what you're up to, and we're going to put a stop to it.

What are you talking about?

He's in there.

Let's get him!

This is my property. You can't come in here.

Not if the town's in danger.

You'd best get out of the way.

We'll break down this door if we have to.

No!

There he goes.

He's getting away!

Dr. Mike.

Come on.

They're coming.

P-Please.

They're gonna get ya.

You got to run, now.

Leave him alone.

Brian, get away from him.

No, you don't understand.

He's my friend.

How dare you do this?

He's a monster.

He's my patient.

Oh, yeah? What's his name?

- Where did he come from? - You don't even know.

He was in a railway accident.

He was injured, and I'm treating him.

We heard you'd been working with dead bodies.

Well, as you can see he's very much alive.

Then what are you gonna do to him?

I'm performing reconstructive surgery on his face.

That why you got him wrapped up like some kind of mummy?

Since when are you so interested in medicine?

It ain't like any medicine I know of.

Well, it's new, Jake -- experimental.

But I don't think I have to justify myself to you.

I'm doing my job, and you have no right to interfere.

We got a right if you're putting us in danger.

- Yeah. - That's right.

We're not putting anyone in danger.

This is a person.

He has feelings.

You should be ashamed.

It's you who are acting like monsters.

Are you ready?

Feelings will come back in a few months.

The sensations will start on the outside and just move inward.

What do you think?

What's wrong?

I'm sure it'll take some getting used to -- the change --

but... I think you look wonderful.

I thought you might like some nicer clothes.

Oh, I hear she's unwrapping him today.

I wonder how he'll look.

Looks like we're gonna find out.

Hey.

Hardly see the stitches.

I think Dr. Mike did a great job.

She sure did.

I say we go to Grace's and celebrate with some pie.

Sounds great, Ma.

- Let's go. - Coming?

- Hey, where you going? - Wait.

- Where you going? - Wait.

- Wait, you can't just -- - Let him go.

Let him go.

You did everything you could for him.

- Everything in your power. - But --

You made him a man again.

And a man makes his own decisions.

This man decided to walk away.

I owe you an apology.

Oh, Michaela, I should have trusted you.

But I was just so worried.

I know.

And it turns out that it was some boys from town

who were breaking the windows and trying to scare folks.

I got something I think you might want to see.

After you told that story about the train wreck, well,

I thought maybe he was pulling the wool over your eyes.

So, I did some checking.

Now I feel terrible.

It's all true.

There's an account of the train wreck.

And it happened just like you said.

John?

That's your name, isn't it?

You were the engineer on that train -- driving it.

It was my fault.

No, John, It wasn't your fault.

Look, here. It says in the newspaper.

The bridge washed out.

The people --

they trusted me to get them where they were going safely.

You didn't break their trust.

It was an accident. Look, here.

People make mistakes all the time.

Doctors make mistakes.

I made the same mistake as everyone else.

I judged you from the outside.

I thought that if I healed your face, you'd be all right.

The real scars were inside.

I should have died in that wreck.

But you didn't.

God is punishing me.

Why?

Because you're strong?

Because you're lucky?

For whatever reason, you survived.

You were meant to go on.

To be alone, for the rest of my life.

You saw how people looked at me.

Even after the operation.

I'll always be a monster to them.

As long as you feel like a monster inside,

you'll be seen that way.

You have to forgive yourself, John.

The only thing I ever trusted was the rails --

the steel beneath me.

When I drove out on that bridge

and it fell out from under me, I...

That's why you wouldn't cross the bridge when they chased you?

John, what holds you up,

It -- it isn't the steel or the wood or even the earth.

What holds you up is love.

Brian.

I'd like you to meet some of our townspeople.

Loren.

Dorothy.

Jake.

Myra and Horace.

Hank.

Grace and Robert E.

We'd like you all to meet...

John.

Happy Halloween.

Happy Halloween.