The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) from Warner Archive

[Dailyan]

The Curse of Frankenstein Blu-ray

THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - 2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION
New 2020 1080p HD Restoration Masters from 4K Scans of Preservation Separation Elements
Run Time: 83:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 - English
Aspect Ratio: Disc One-1.85:1-16x9 Widescreen and 1.66:1-16x9 Widescreen
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: 2-BD 50
Special Features: New feature commentary by Screenwriter/Film Historian Steve Haberman and Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr, Newly Remastered 1.37:1 Open Matte version of feature. New Featurettes include: The Resurrection Men: Hammer, Frankenstein and the Rebirth of the Horror Film, Hideous Progeny: The Curse of Frankenstein and the English Gothic Tradition, Torrents of Light: The Art of Jack Asher, Diabolus in Musica: James Bernard and the Sound of Hammer Horror, Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The first, and perhaps the best of the long-running series of horror films from the house of Hammer, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this landmark interpretation based on the famous Mary Shelley story. Baron Victor Frankenstein becomes friends with one of his teachers, Paul Krempe. At first, both men are fascinated by the potential of their re-animating experiments. Eventually, though, Krempe refuses to help with Frankenstein's human experiments. However, he is drawn back into the plot when Frankenstein's creature kills a member of the house staff. For its U.S. Blu-ray debut, Warner Archive is proud to present this deluxe 2 Disc Special Edition, featuring two theatrical aspect ratio presentations, meticulously remastered and restored from preservation separations, as well as bonus disc with the restoration presented in "open-matte" format, as was seen for years on television, plus four exciting new retrospective featurettes, an expert commentary, and the original theatrical trailer.

[SMOOT]

Wow!
Is this for real ????

[redxrebellion]

Finally. Day one for me.

[The Batman Professor]

That is incredible news!

[Katatonia]

Whoa, 2 BD-50's?? Warner Archive are going all out for this one. Classic Cushing performance!

I already have the UK Icon release, but this looks like it'll be well worth double dipping just for the 16x9 ratios + new bonus features.

[Mystic]

Quick - somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming!

[Aclea]

Finally an end to people b**ching about Warner Archive not releasing it. To be followed by months of people b**ching about the picture quality...

[Rizor]

Oh wow. I almost ordered that UK disc yesterday but was deterred by the high shipping prices. I'm very surprised they seem to be taking the time to do this right when Horror of Dracula and The Mummy were barbones.

[DukeTogo84]

Can't wait for this one. Long time coming. Hopefully it looks just as good as Horror of Dracula.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Aclea

To be followed by months of people b**ching about the picture quality...

"Horror of Dracula 2: Aspect Ratio Boogaloo".

[Rizor]

Has Warner even bothered with something like this since the launch of Blu-ray? A two-disc special edition of a deep catalog title with brand new commentary and featurettes? What year is it? 2006? They usually just remaster the movie and throw on the old DVD extras, or leave it barbones. Even their big event 4K releases usually have zero new extras.

Edit: Maybe I've missed a few recent releases like Mystery of the Wax Museum.

[Chie Satonaka]

Day one for me, they really went all out for this film, it deserves it.

[captainsolo]

Seems like this has been in the works for some time. Amazing surprise and great for all of us who have been waiting and hoping.
Day one hour one second one. Not waiting for a 4/44 sale on this or Shop.

And here I thought Wax Museum was the unquestioned disc of the year. The recent WAC releases and this new slate are definite contenders. I can't wait to see what they've done with 4K on this source. I should think it would drastically improve on the DVD and the UK blu which apparently was from an older Warner scan anyways. Despite all of its limitations that disc was technically still the best we've ever had. Since it lists 4K scan of separation preservation elements that sounds like perhaps the same source that WB had before to scan. IIRC it was mentioned that the UK blu and DVD were done form the best surviving element in the Warner vaults at some point.

I'm really amazed that they're going the full 2 disc route AND including new extras AND multi-ratios AND even a 1.33 opened up version like the UK disc and their incorrect notion of it being the intended ratio. Plus its a 2 disc affair meaning it won't have the same space issues as the UK release either! This is a WAC disc that sounds more like an Indicator or Criterion affair!


Pinch me I'm dreaming.

[McCrutchy]

Excellent!

[deltatauhobbit]

Originally Posted by Aclea

To be followed by months of people b**ching about the picture quality...

More like people complaining this isn't coming from Scream Factory haha.

[Baron Blood]

When?

[Gacivory]

I’m not even waiting for a sale! This is a pre-order! My favorite Hammer!

[Michael24]

Excellent news! And a surprisingly stacked released from WAC. Can't wait to see how the restoration looks.

[october27]

Great news. This is one of the last titles missing from my collection, very happy to finally be able to add it.

[Chie Satonaka]

Originally Posted by deltatauhobbit

More like people complaining this isn't coming from Scream Factory haha.

I still have no idea why so many people thought/expected Scream to put this out. Warner hasn't licensed out any of their Hammers. Besides would a Scream release really have more in it than what Warner Archive has created? I love Scream factory and have a bunch of their Hammer releases, but they aren't gonna be getting the Warner and Columbia Hammers, nor do they need to.