Hammer Horror Blu-ray Releases

[ravenus]

^They can be quite fun, although they may also seem very dated if you're not into that sort of thing.

[zuls020]

Something I'm trying to get my head around; other than the (here quite frankly useless) pedantries of compressed/uncompressed sound what's the deal with the Hammer blu-ray releases only coming with dual mono soundtracks as opposed to the remasters the old DVDs had?

[MichChrisIp]

Hey peeps!
Can anyone tell my if the only difference in these is just the dvd gone missing? Or have they announced any other changes?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Franke...f+frankenstein

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Franke...f+frankenstein

[Ste7en]

Worrying if it is just the combo set sans DVD. Hope it doesn't start a trend as I'm rather used to getting the DVDs for 'free'

[ptb2010]

Just watched m Blu Ray of The Mummy's Shroud. the quality of the transfer is superb and cannot be criticised. i hope all future Hammer Blu Rays are of similar quality. A pity the movie is so NOT a horror movie. I doubt it was thought so back in the 60s, except by the old guard of the BBFC.

[ptb2010]

Just been reading an informative article in Sight and Sound about the costs of releasing movies on dvd and Blu Ray in the UK. Since Thatcher's backward looking laws in the 80s, ALL home video has to be certified by the BBFC, separate from, and in addition to, the theatrical certification.

So when it comes to product for a niche market, and Hammer I would say is considered that, the financial burden can be prohibitive, especially as the BBFC charge for every minute they view.

AND Blu Rays and dvds are charged for their extras as well as the feature, on the same minute by minute charging system

Some companies simply do not bother any more, knowing they risk financial loss. Many DVDs do not sell above 500 units, and 1000 for some companies is considered doing well.

Imagine when you have to add in the extra costs of producing and upgrading to Blu Ray and you begin to understand why some Hammer Blu Rays are so slow in coming.

Though it does make me wonder why The Mummy's Shroud and Paranoia were given a full Blu Ray treatment before the more famous and wanted by fans titles, copyright distribution problems apart.

[ghostwhowalks]

Originally Posted by Rocky01542

Since it seems that Studio Canal have stopped distributing Hammer Horror films, I hope we will get to see more Hammer from America.

So there is nothing foreseeable on the horizon then? I was enjoying these Studio Canal releases.

[FaceInTheLeaves]

Optimum seems to have stopped releasing Ealing films too. I like Optimum. It's a shame the Hammer films weren't more profitable. I stopped pre-ordering them because Optimum didn't seem to be checking discs for errors before release. I still have my faulty Dracula blu-ray.

[logboy]

Originally Posted by ptb2010

Just been reading an informative article in Sight and Sound about the costs of releasing movies on dvd and Blu Ray in the UK. Since Thatcher's backward looking laws in the 80s, ALL home video has to be certified by the BBFC, separate from, and in addition to, the theatrical certification.

we've also a lower population in the UK than the USA - also a country predominantly regarded as being english-speaking - and, apart from the exchange rate being so good for such a long time, the ability for the USA to release on home video in an uncertified edition, and the population supporting more niches, is why UK film fans have so frequently been importers. that habit spreads to other countries if you happen to be interested in films made where subs are frequently added - korea, hong kong.

so, yes, the UK and it's film fans knows all too well that certification cost are prohibitive, but it's a situation that's not combatted simply by the removal of any certificate system as there are other factors. USA companies have also long had situations where several thousand copies being sold of niche titles would be considered typical or successful.

[RiFiFi1955]

I remember reading somewhere awhile back that a particular Hammer Film featured some underage nudity, apparently they didn't know the girl was underage or something. What film was that?

[NoirFan]

Not sure if this is the one you're referring to, but Nastassja Kinski was full frontal nude in To the Devil a Daughter (the final Hammer film before their recent revival) when she was 15.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Not sure if this is the one you're referring to, but Nastassja Kinski was full frontal nude in To the Devil a Daughter (the final Hammer film before their recent revival) when she was 15.

Hum, maybe that was it. Just checked it out on IMDB, I thought it was one of their vampire films that I read about but I am probably mistaken. Their can't be two Hammer films to feature underage nudity right? I actually thought it was Twins of Evil that I read about about but those girls were 19 at the time so that couldn't have been it.

[dallywhitty]

I've just started collecting these, beginning with Paranoiac, Dracula and Dracula: Prince of Darkness. I watched the Dracula films and really enjoyed them. I haven't watched Paranoiac yet but will do in the near future.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I've just started collecting these, beginning with Paranoiac, Dracula and Dracula: Prince of Darkness. I watched the Dracula films and really enjoyed them. I haven't watched Paranoiac yet but will do in the near future.

I've have never seen Paranoiac but I am going to blind buy it. Have seen Scream of Fear and absolutely love it, would love to see a blu of that one.

[Fedor]

Paranoiac is excellent! Highly recommended!

[robsinden]

The Witches

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by ptb2010

Just been reading an informative article in Sight and Sound about the costs of releasing movies on dvd and Blu Ray in the UK. Since Thatcher's backward looking laws in the 80s, ALL home video has to be certified by the BBFC, separate from, and in addition to, the theatrical certification.

So when it comes to product for a niche market, and Hammer I would say is considered that, the financial burden can be prohibitive, especially as the BBFC charge for every minute they view.

AND Blu Rays and dvds are charged for their extras as well as the feature, on the same minute by minute charging system

Some companies simply do not bother any more, knowing they risk financial loss. Many DVDs do not sell above 500 units, and 1000 for some companies is considered doing well.

Imagine when you have to add in the extra costs of producing and upgrading to Blu Ray and you begin to understand why some Hammer Blu Rays are so slow in coming.

Though it does make me wonder why The Mummy's Shroud and Paranoia were given a full Blu Ray treatment before the more famous and wanted by fans titles, copyright distribution problems apart.

Originally Posted by logboy

we've also a lower population in the UK than the USA - also a country predominantly regarded as being english-speaking - and, apart from the exchange rate being so good for such a long time, the ability for the USA to release on home video in an uncertified edition, and the population supporting more niches, is why UK film fans have so frequently been importers. that habit spreads to other countries if you happen to be interested in films made where subs are frequently added - korea, hong kong.

so, yes, the UK and it's film fans knows all too well that certification cost are prohibitive, but it's a situation that's not combatted simply by the removal of any certificate system as there are other factors. USA companies have also long had situations where several thousand copies being sold of niche titles would be considered typical or successful.

Paranoia was released by Eureka who have been one of the most supportive distributors on BD, and will always release new titles on BD if possible. Must have been included in one of their licensing deals hence why it was the first Hammer BD in the UK.

In terms of BBFC legally being required to rate extras as you both say this does discourage extras being included on likely low sellers in the UK as increases the producers costs even more.

It got worse a few years ago when companies were pushed into getting commentaries rated in addition to the video. However this was caused by a few companies being silly and not self censoring swearing from commentaries on PG titles. There were complaints over swearing in commetaries included with Revelations Tomorrow People and Anchor Bay's Time Bandits. Each company took a different approach with Tomorrow People leaving the commentaries unedited so pushing up the rating whereas for Anchor Bay they cut out the swearing to keep it PG.

You do see a few titles still where it says on the back sleeve the film was rated 12 but the extra content pushed up the rating to 15, so it has to be sold 15 restricted.

[paulboland]

Originally Posted by MichChrisIp

Hey peeps!
Can anyone tell my if the only difference in these is just the dvd gone missing? Or have they announced any other changes?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Franke...f+frankenstein

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Franke...f+frankenstein

Yes its a reissue blu ray only

[MichChrisIp]

Just noticed that this is up for pre-order, did I just totally overlook this or is it recently?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by MichChrisIp

Just noticed that this is up for pre-order, did I just totally overlook this or is it recently?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Was first listed a few days ago. Already have my pre order in.