The Return of Hammer!

[Almar@Cult Labs]

Well I dunno if this'll be any good but I have to say a little shiver runs down my spine at the return of Hammer - relaunching online tonight - in fact in under an hour for their first online move installment:

http://www.hammerfilms.com/

Horror is a genre we can do in the UK - not of late but this is one creepy atmmospheric country when filmed right and I hope something cool comes of this so fingers crossed for 'em.

[snipsmovies]

Its been wonderful listening to peoples vivid memories being recalled when they spot my hammer section in store. So many people's first experience of a horror movie was when watching a Hammer movie. Their films really do have a special place in many movie watchers hearts.

I'm somewhat sceptical about their latest incarnation - but all the same wish them huge success. 'Rave To The Grave' ? ? Hmmm, me thinks they should stick to what they know - i.e atmospheric, chilling, gothic horror movies. It might fit the bill - who knows, but I think I'll hang fire until the DVD release in the summer to watch it in one foul swoop.

I had to laugh a few months back when I read in the Daily Mail how taken aback they where at the re-release of Dracula being granted a PG cert, when of course its original release was an 'X'.

I wonder if Shameless releases will be in the same situation in 40 years time ?

[Angel]

in 40 years time neither The New York Ripper or Venus in Furs will require cuts and several Shameless titles will be downgraded to a 15 and a 12.

[steve]

Hammer films...a main staple of my foray into horror when I was a youngster. I loved and still love them. It's exciting that Hammer is returning but I'll hold judgement till I've seen the results.

I wish I had had the opportunity to see some of them at the cinema but being well under 18 at the time (the X rating) meant there was no chance. I would love to have seen Vampire Circus on the big screen, one of their most original ideas and very effective. Twins of Evil is another big favourite.

I think the charm comes from how natural some of the actors were and admittedly some of them were rather terrible but that's the appeal. The films looked great (although night time in the woods was always day time) and they simply draw you in.

[herman]

This is not hammer folks. Someone has bought the name which makes them technically hammer, but it has nothing to do with real hammer any more than if the dude had purchased RKO Radio or AIP.

Besides everyone knows that hammer is Fred Williamson

Steve- Vampire Circus is pretty much my favourite hammer film, with 7 Golden Vampires and Lost Continent as runners up.

[steve]

Originally Posted by herman

This is not hammer folks. Someone has bought the name which makes them technically hammer, but it has nothing to do with real hammer any more than if the dude had purchased RKO Radio or AIP.

Besides everyone knows that hammer is Fred Williamson

Steve- Vampire Circus is pretty much my favourite hammer film, with 7 Golden Vampires and Lost Continent as runners up.

I also love 7 Golden Vampires, which I'm sure would also look fantastic on the big screen. I remember seeing Vampire Circus for the first time, I thought it was the best horror film I'd ever seen (at that time). It's so different. I had it on video (as a double bill with Countess Dracula) and then discovered it on DVD (on the Carlton label) as a box set with a couple of other films. It looks nice but I would love a special edition at some point.

Thanks for the info about Hamme not being Hammer, a shame but who knows, it could lead to the older Hammer films getting the remastering treatment they deserve.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

There ain't a hammer film i didn't enjoy..........

[Mojo]

I had the great pleasure of seeing the recently restored version of Hammer's Dracula at the cinema and it looked fantastic. Chris Lee's first appearance as the Count where his face completely fills the screen still packs a hell of a punch! Great film.

I'd love to seee some other Hammers on the big screen - Plague Of The Zombies, Quatermass And The Pit, Twins Of Evil and Vampire Circus would be good for starters!

[dougal]

I'd heard that Hammer are funding Dog Soldiers 2 which was supposed to be the first new Hammer film since... well, whatever the last one was.

[EidolonFilms]

As far as my info goes (some from 'nearly inside' sources) the new Hammer are working like this:

*They have contacted and chosen their new directors and crews, from those associated with the horror channel.
*This does not bode well, as I am in the understanding that Johannes Roberts (read the reviews for his films over at IMDB) is to be one of their main first directors.

I'm a bit frustrated on a personal level. Hammer has gone through a few false starts over the last few years, and had contacts with the company myself a few years ago. They were actually interested in me then, but nobody I had contacts with there are associated with 'new' Hammer in anyway, so I've personally lost a dream opportunity, and they certainly dont seem to be off to a good start.