Category: Blu-ray

The Mummy and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell set for LE Blu-ray release (UK)

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Two classic Hammer horror films are to be released as limited-edition Region B Blu-rays on 29 August 2022.

The Mummy (1959) and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974), two celebrated Gothic pictures from director Terence Fisher, will be packaged in rigid slipcases featuring newly commissioned cover art from poster artist Graham Humphreys (The Monster Club, Nightmare on Elm Street) and a mix of previously released and brand-new features.

The Mummy stars Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Yvonne Furneaux and George Pastell in a lurid, colourful retelling based on elements from the earlier Universal series of films.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell was the last in Hammer’s Cushing series of Frankenstein films, and its reputation as a swansong for both its star and its director has only improved in the almost-50 years since its release.

Older specifications are from the now hard-to-find Lionsgate/Icon Blu-ray releases. Full specs are as follows:

The Mummy Special Features 

  • Main feature presented in original UK theatrical aspect ratio 1.66:1 and alternative full frame1.37:1
  • New audio commentary by film academic Kelly Robinson
  • Archive audio commentary by Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby
  • An Appreciation of The Mummy by David Huckvale
  • The Music of The Mummy
  • Unwrapping The Mummy
  • The House of Horror: Memories of Bray
  • The Hammer Rep Company
  • Original Promo Reel
  • Still Gallery

The Mummy Limited Edition Contents

  • Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • Soft cover book with new essays by Kat Ellinger, Lindsay Hallam and Kevin Lyons plus production stills
  • 5 collectors’ art cards 

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell Special Features 

  • Main feature presented in original UK Theatrical aspect ratio 1.66:1 and alternative full frame1.37:1
  • New audio commentary by film academic Kat Ellinger
  • Archive audio commentary by Shane Briant, Madeline Smith and Marcus Hearn
  • An Appreciation of Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell by David Huckvale
  • The Music of Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell
  • Taking Over the Asylum
  • Charming Evil: Terence Fisher at Hammer
  • Stills Gallery

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell Limited Edition Contents

  • Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • Soft cover book with new essays by Kevin Lyons, Kelly Robinson and Emma Westwood plus production stills
  • 5 collectors’ art cards

The new editions come from Second Sight Films and are now available to pre-order at £24.99 each. Both are rated 15.

Hammer’s The House Across the Lake coming to Blu-ray

by adminin Blu-ray, Exclusive, Hammer, NewsLeave a Comment on Hammer’s The House Across the Lake coming to Blu-ray

Back in November last year, Hammer Films and Network Distributing announced the creation of Hammer Studios, a partnership to develop new projects and manage the back catalogue of Hammer-owned titles.

The vast majority of the ‘Hammer horror’ films are, as I understand it, in the hands of other studios and distributors, so I’d expected attention to be given to the studio’s earliest and latest output in its ‘classic’ era, ie, before and after the company’s deals with major studios such as Universal, Fox, Columbia and Warner Bros. It’s a delight, therefore, to see that the Hammer noir The House Across the Lake (aka Heat Wave, 1954) has been singled out for a newly remastered, high-definition Blu-ray release.

The House Across the Lake will be presented in its original 1.37:1 (Academy) ratio and in 1080p. Extras announced include The Drayton Case, a short film in the Scotland Yard series by House director Ken Hughes; an interview with late script supervisor/’continuity girl’ Renée Glynne; The Dame Wore Tweed, a short doc on British noir by Barry Forshaw; alternate titles sequence; theatrical trailer; image gallery; and a limited edition booklet by Neil Sinyard.

Fairly typical of the sort of crime drama Hammer’s sister company Exclusive was producing in this era, House teams up two American stars with a mostly British supporting cast. The leads came courtesy of co-producer Robert Lippert, and would help to market the film in the US. Alex Nicol and Hillary Brooke are the imports, with Sid James in support. Later in his career he would be associated almost exclusively with comedy, especially the Pinewood-made Carry On film series, but at this stage he did a lot of straight acting and was something of a Hammer regular—he made seven appearances between The Man in Black (1950) and A Weekend with Lulu (1961).

The 13 June 2022 release comes as a single Region B disc, with RRP of £17.99, and you can pre-order directly from Network for £11.50.