Hammer Volume One: Fear Warning! (Indicator)

[Oscar Rothman]

Today, we announce a 4-film Hammer box set and two single editions. First up: HAMMER VOLUME ONE: FEAR WARNING! (released 30th October). Featuring:

MANIAC (Michael Carreras, 1963)
THE GORGON (Terence Fisher, 1964)
THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB (Michael Carreras, 1964)
FANATIC (Silvio Narizzano, 1965)

[apperson051]

From the website:

MANIAC (Michael Carreras, 1963)
THE GORGON (Terence Fisher, 1964)
THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB (Michael Carreras, 1964)
FANATIC (Silvio Narizzano, 1965)
Release date: 16 October 2017
Limited Blu-ray Edition (UK Blu-ray premieres)

Four classics from Hammer, each presented on Blu-ray for the very first time in the UK. Whether it's a mad man brandishing a welding torch, a mythical monster who's looks can kill, an ancient royal with diabolical powers, or a mad woman wielding a pair of scissors, this set has something to unease everybody. Containing a wealth of new and exclusive extra features – including title-specific documentaries, cast and crew interviews, expert appreciations, introductions and more – this stunning Blu-ray-only Limited Edition box set is published in a horribly limited, numbered edition of 4,000 units.

INDICATOR LIMITED BLU-RAY EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES:
• HD restorations of all four films
• Original Mono audio
• All-new documentaries exploring aspects of each film
• The Gorgon audio commentary with Daughters of Darkness’ Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger
• The Gorgon introduction by actor and filmmaker Matthew Holness
• New interviews with actors Barbara Shelley and Mike McStay
• New interviews with cameramen Michael Reed and Douglas Milsome
• Playwright Matthew Lombardo on Tallulah Bankhead and Fanatic
• Hammer’s Women – an exclusive series of filmed appreciations of Nadia Gray, Barbara Shelley, Jeanne Roland and Tallulah Bankhead
• Original trailers and promotional films
• Promotional and on-set photography, poster art and archive materials
• Four box set exclusive booklets with new essays, contemporary reviews, historic articles, and full film credits
• UK premieres on Blu-ray
• Limited edition box set of 4,000 copies
...AND MORE!

[oddbox83]

Edited to add: this is a spoof post.

Aspect ratio confirmation, based on advice from Hammer Films Ltd.

Maniac: 2.00:1, cos they've got some flimsy suspicion it was shown that way originally.
The Gorgon: 1.37:1 because Terence Fisher wanted it that way
Curse of the Mummy's Tomb: 2.35:1 (phew )
Fanatic: 1.66:1, because no UK widescreen film was ever shot any other way. Unless it was (see above).

I also hear they are adding new CGI effects to The Gorgon.

[Show spoiler]OK so none of that is real, just having a bit of fun at the history of Hammer on Blu-ray.

[Markgway]

Maniac and Curse should be 2.35.

Gorgon and Fanatic should be 1.66.

[Braktastic]

So which two are being released individually? I would assume it's The Gorgon and Cursee of the Mummy's Tomb.

[CinemaScope]

The Gorgon 1:37, for a film released in 1964! I'm having second thoughts about this set.

Okay, I've been had

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Aspect ratio confirmation, based on advice from Hammer Films Ltd.

Maniac: 2.00:1, cos they've got some flimsy suspicion it was shown that way originally.
The Gorgon: 1.37:1 because Terence Fisher wanted it that way
Curse of the Mummy's Tomb: 2.35:1 (phew )
Fanatic: 1.66:1, because no UK widescreen film was ever shot any other way. Unless it was (see above).

I also hear they are adding new CGI effects to The Gorgon.

[Show spoiler]OK so none of that is real, just having a bit of fun at the history of Hammer on Blu-ray.

But have they unearthed the legendary long-lost Michael Ripper nude scene from the export version of Curse of the Mummy's Tomb?

[Ed Strakers Wig]

A very weak selection from the Sony collection but an essential purchase nevertheless.
They have much stronger films so I'm guessing they didn't want to dish out all the best stuff first.
Nice to see the extras though which should preclude any further Mill Creek releases from being the least bit tempting

[alanxander]

And a new interview with Barbara Shelley! That makes the entire box worthwhile! (I've been crushing on her for the past 40 years!)

[tob]

Originally Posted by alanxander

And a new interview with Barbara Shelley! That makes the entire box worthwhile! (I've been crushing on her for the past 40 years!)

That's rude 40 years poor woman.

[alanxander]

Just call me Kharis -- True love never dies!

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Maniac and Curse should be 2.35.

Gorgon and Fanatic should be 1.66.

Gorgon is 1.78:1 on the Mill Creek. Fanatic is 1.85:1 on the DVD. I'd be happy with anything between 1.66:1 and 1.85:1. I've already poked fun at the usual insistence of 1.66:1 always being right for this period.

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by alanxander

And a new interview with Barbara Shelley! That makes the entire box worthwhile! (I've been crushing on her for the past 40 years!)

She's lovely but a frail elderly woman now

[Ed Strakers Wig]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Gorgon is 1.78:1 on the Mill Creek. Fanatic is 1.85:1 on the DVD. I'd be happy with anything between 1.66:1 and 1.85:1. I've already poked fun at the usual insistence of 1.66:1 always being right for this period.

Understandable if it's the ratio they were shot in.
But like you I'm happy with anything between 1.66 and 1.85. Network and Studio Canal usually go for the former but I think Sony go closer to the latter.
As long as they don't go mental like Universal and opt for 2:1 or do like they used to and crop to 4:3 - that's way more of a mistake than presenting at 1.66

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Aclea

But have they unearthed the legendary long-lost Michael Ripper nude scene from the export version of Curse of the Mummy's Tomb?

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by alanxander

And a new interview with Barbara Shelley! That makes the entire box worthwhile! (I've been crushing on her for the past 40 years!)

Yes, I had a bit of a crush on her in the early sixties, but I was 13 & the hormones were raging It's good to know she's still alive, she must have outlived nearly everyone else from those Hammer days.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Gorgon is 1.78:1 on the Mill Creek. Fanatic is 1.85:1 on the DVD. I'd be happy with anything between 1.66:1 and 1.85:1. I've already poked fun at the usual insistence of 1.66:1 always being right for this period.

Yeah, there's always been some debate as to what's correct... but personally I find 1.66 in most cases to be the most pleasing ratio, as too often the 1.85 matting (as per US theatres) seems tight. UK films tended to be projected between 1.66 and 1.75 here.

[Ed Strakers Wig]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Yeah, there's always been some debate as to what's correct... but personally I find 1.66 in most cases to be the most pleasing ratio, as too often the 1.85 matting (as per US theatres) seems tight. UK films tended to be projected between 1.66 and 1.75 here.

Don't tell the Bob Furmanek clique. They'll go insane for 300 pages

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Markgway

How else could they justify the fear warning on Curse of the Mummy's Tomb?

[StingingVelvet]

I might only want one or two of these, but I think I'll order it and can sell the ones I end up not liking. Region-free imports like this have very good resale value on Ebay.