Current Hammer releases (R2)

[Gojirosan]

Whilst shopping for SHameless the other day I spotted how cheap a lot of Hammer DVDs now are, and after the completion of my Corman Poe upgrades it was my fave Hammer flicks that I next planned to bump up to DVD from VHS.

My question is: should I be aware of any issues with the UK Hammer stuff around at the moment? DVDCompare isn't bang up to date on UK Hammer releases, so I thought I'd ask you if you know of any cuts, incorrect aspect ratios, duff transfers etc?

Obviously some things (like Frankenstein Monster From Hell) are going to be stricken by lost footage issues, but what of other notoriously-trimmed-over-the-years Hammers - The Curse Of The Werewolf , Vampire Lovers, Dracula Prince Of Darkness etc - are these restored nowadays?

Sorry to shy off from researching this myself, but I figured some of you might have advice from the top of your heads!

Cheers!

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

what of other notoriously-trimmed-over-the-years Hammers - The Curse Of The Werewolf , Vampire Lovers, Dracula Prince Of Darkness etc - are these restored nowadays?

The US Curse Of The Werewolf is fully uncut and restores all the old (and extensive) UK cinema cuts. BBC showed it a few years ago, though it has yet to receive a UK release.

As with the old VHS the DVD of Curse Of Frankenstein features the US print (missing the magnified eyeball shot). BBC always show the uncut version.

Beware of the older DVD's of Vampire Lovers (ILC) and Lust For A Vampire (WB). The former is missing Ingrid Pitt's brief full frontal nude shot and the latter features an edited print which 'covers' the topless Judy Matheson during the bed/biting scene. The Optimum 2-in-1 DVD features both films fully uncut.

The Dracula Prince Of Darkness DVD's are fully uncut and restore all previous cinema (& video) edits.

Alas many Hammer films (Scars Of Dracula, Vampire Circus, Demons Of The Mind etc) no longer exist in their original uncut versions.

[Gojirosan]

That's a really big help, Vince, thank you. Yer a diamond y'are!

Although not Hammer, I thought I'd mention in passing I just transferred a BBC1 screening of City Of The Dead from an old VHS recording to DVD - it looks better than most commercial DVD releases I have seen!

[vincenzo]

Great film. The version titled City Of The Dead is the complete print. Horror Hotel is the shorter edited US version.

[re.form]

I recently bought "The Ultimate Hammer Collection" (21 films) and they all look fine. Not great, but fine. All Optimum. Also got the above mentioned Optimum 2 in 1 Vampire Lovers/Lust for a Vampire and thats great.

Twins of Evil, one of my fave Hammers is also available from 'Network' and I picked that up recently as well. Lovely film.

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by re.form

Twins of Evil, one of my fave Hammers is also available from 'Network' and I picked that up recently as well. Lovely film.

One of Peter Cushing's nastiest Hammer roles (along with Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed) and also one of the all-time greatest scores to a Hammer film, courtesy of Harry Robinson.

[re.form]

Originally Posted by vincenzo

One of Peter Cushing's nastiest Hammer roles (along with Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed) and also one of the all-time greatest scores to a Hammer film, courtesy of Harry Robinson.

It is probably the best of their output from the period where they began to die and pump out more exploitative fare, imo. (I actually prefer this period in the studio's history). You're right about the Cushing nasty role - although I do enjoy 'Frankenstien Created Woman' for the same reasons. Thats got a great atmosphere to it - and like 'Twins' has lovely eye candy.

Getting sidetracked on Hammer eye candy from the same period for a second - 'Blood from the Mummy's Tomb'. That has two great examples of atmosphere as well...

[vincenzo]

Originally Posted by re.form

That has two great examples of atmosphere as well...

Does Valerie Leon possess both?

[MaximumRD]

I have only seen a couple of the typical Hammer films that have been broadcast here and there, I think it is time I discover a lot more of them!

[GPR79]

Currently working my way through the 21 disc Ultimate Hammer Boxset which has been kicking around my house for over a year. Hadn't watched any Hammer Horror in long, long while and I find I'm enjoying it waaay too much. I even had a big grin on my face all the way through She which wasn't a favourite in the past, although Vengeance Of She needs to be burned.

Biggest surprise of the set thus far is The Nanny, surprisingly brilliant little slice of 60's B&W (very) British thrillerdom. Tag line "Would you trust the nanny....or the boy?"