Horror of Dracula (Dracula 1958)

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by Vixen of the Night

I have the Studio Hamburg release and love it for including the "Horror of Dracula" print along with the newer BFI print.

I prefer the "Horror of Dracula" print and title. The alternate seduction scene just didn't work for me in the extended version. The audio transition between the end of the scene and the next shot just doesn't have the same impact as it does in the original version of the scene.

Dracula's demise I'm still unsure about, but find no issues with the regular release of the film that lacks a couple shots.

Is that Studio Hamburg edition in the database?
Show us the one you have.

[Wtdk]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

I just want HORROR OF DRACULA to get a two-disc special edition from Warner Archive...or perhaps even a 4K.

I don’t think they ever released a 4K for WA of anything.

[Wtdk]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

2023 marks the film's 65th anniversary. I'm almost certain we'll see a two-disc special edition from Warner Archive, probably in time for Halloween.

Well that didn’t happen. Perhaps Curse and Horror didn’t sell as well as they wanted.

[Hammerlover]

Maybe we'll get some good Hammer-related news in 2024; '23 was too quiet.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Maybe we'll get some good Hammer-related news in 2024; '23 was too quiet.

still anxiously awaiting the first official HAMMER 4k announcement.....

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Maybe we'll get some good Hammer-related news in 2024; '23 was too quiet.

Originally Posted by AKORIS

still anxiously awaiting the first official HAMMER 4k announcement.....

I want Criterion to release HORROR OF DRACULA in 4K.
The film merits the Criterion treatment. If Criterion asks
WB for HORROR OF DRACULA they'll get it, they'll be
able to strike a deal.

[Richard--W]

You know, when I first saw THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
and HORROR OF DRACULA in the 1960s they were 35mm
original prints. It kept coming around every Halloween up
through the mid-1970s even though they had aired on
television. They were still being screened in repertory
theaters in southern California in the 1980s. Landmark,
which later became Parallax, moved them from one place
to another. One thing that impressed me the most was
the color. These old prints were gorgeous. Years later I
would get to see the films projected again by a private
collector whose prints were in considerably better shape.

Warner Archives transfer of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
is a revelation in its sharpness, clarity, color and contrast.
But it doesn't look like the film I saw projected so many
times. Not in the sense that it looks wrong. I'm tempted to
say it looks better, much better, but is better right? is better
correct? is better appropriate? The possibilities are infinite
when grading with digital tools.

HORROR OF DRACULA, on the other hand, doesn't look
anything like it's supposed to. Nor does it look better. They
did not improve on what's already there so much as they
diminished it. It looks like Warner Archive just blew it off.
Warner Archives owes HORROR OF DRACULA a new scan
and a more attentive grading.

[John Earls Umbrella]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Maybe we'll get some good Hammer-related news in 2024; '23 was too quiet.

We got the buses set, what more do you want?

[RalphoR]

Hammer, Harryhausen, Toho, Studio Ghibli.....the 4k wait continues

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Hammer, Harryhausen, Toho, Studio Ghibli.....the 4k wait continues

Toho has released several Godzilla films in UHD recently.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by russweiss1

Toho has released several Godzilla films in UHD recently.

Meant the classic Toho NA friendly versions, sorry. I did pick up the Japanese 4ks of Gojira and (previously) Shin Godzilla. Maybe they are starting to look across the pond but in general they're business model (outside of Japan at least) has been disappointing.

[DraculaHasRisen]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

still anxiously awaiting the first official HAMMER 4k announcement.....

I'm just outright impatient, at this point.

[Dingus1539]

Originally Posted by DraculaHasRisen

I'm just outright impatient, at this point.

Absolutely, do we think any announcements are on the way? We need a new WA of Fisher’s The Mummy as well, also given the Curse of Frankenstein treatment. I thought that was rumored. Wish Shout or whoever would upgrade some of those Hammer titles to 4K, I’ve held off on a few for that reason.

[Wtdk]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

You know, when I first saw THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
and HORROR OF DRACULA in the 1960s they were 35mm
original prints. It kept coming around every Halloween up
through the mid-1970s even though they had aired on
television. They were still being screened in repertory
theaters in southern California in the 1980s. Landmark,
which later became Parallax, moved them from one place
to another. One thing that impressed me the most was
the color. These old prints were gorgeous. Years later I
would get to see the films projected again by a private
collector whose prints were in considerably better shape.

Warner Archives transfer of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN
is a revelation in its sharpness, clarity, color and contrast.
But it doesn't look like the film I saw projected so many
times. Not in the sense that it looks wrong. I'm tempted to
say it looks better, much better, but is better right? is better
correct? is better appropriate? The possibilities are infinite
when grading with digital tools.

HORROR OF DRACULA, on the other hand, doesn't look
anything like it's supposed to. Nor does it look better. They
did not improve on what's already there so much as they
diminished it. It looks like Warner Archive just blew it off.
Warner Archives owes HORROR OF DRACULA a new scan
and a more attentive grading.

To me better is right. I wouldn’t want a film looking like it was shown in a drive in (not that I could remember how it looked or anyone else could for that matter) or revival house with a poor, worn print or even one struck in the. 70’s or 80’s. The goal is to,present it as close to what the film would look like under ideal circumstances.

I agree that Horror of Dracula deserves better though. Yes, they color corrected the issues with the BFI transfer but it could have looked better IMO and, add in the lack of extras including the ability to watch the later restoration with the Japanese footage added, and you have an ideal that wasn’t achieved.

Having compared the UK release to the U.S., it’s a wash as the crush meant we lost lots of detail. I do give them credit that the color grading done for the UK release (which is completely inaccurate compared to every showing I’ve ever seen, granted that isn’t the most reliable source but compared to other Hammer films from the time, it’s off as well) but it felt almost like Warner said “we’re tired of you asking about it so here”. I don’t think that’s the case of course, they DO put care into their releases, I just think they flubbed this one).

I think Warner knew they blew it after they released it due to the critical reaction of the release. That’s why they spend the time and effort with Curse. If it didn’t sell as well as hoped though, that’s where the rubber meets the road. I agree that a criterion or Arrow would do a great job.

Warner recognized the importance of Curse they just flubbed Horror which is all the more sad because it’s equally important and my favorite Hammer film to boot. The time is now to license it to one of their partners if they are not going to revisit it. I suppose someone here or at the digital bits needs to ask George at Warner what’s going on. Their silence on the matter is most disturbing.

I don’t think they blew it off though. Warner works with what they have and the budget they have for the restoration. It may not be ideal but they didn’t have to release it at all.

I keep hoping but, if Warner is not going to reissue it, license it out to another label.

[chriszilla]

Originally Posted by Dingus1539

Absolutely, do we think any announcements are on the way? We need a new WA of Fisher’s The Mummy as well, also given the Curse of Frankenstein treatment. I thought that was rumored. Wish Shout or whoever would upgrade some of those Hammer titles to 4K, I’ve held off on a few for that reason.

I noticed yesterday that several Hammer titles that Shout! has released in recent years are now in the "Going Out Of Print Soon" section of their website -

Lust For A Vampire
Scars Of Dracula
To The Devil... A Daughter
Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde
Straight On Till Morning
Horror Of Frankenstein
Fear In The Night
Blood From The Mummy's Tomb
Demons Of The Mind

Interestingly, that's only a portion of their Hammer titles. It makes me curious if another company has acquired the rights to these, and if new releases might be forthcoming.

[myway]

I just watched the WB disc recently and something I had completely forgotten about blew my mind when I was watching it; it has no chapters! I seriously cannot think of another disc that has no chapters. Even the flipper discs from 100 years ago had chapters; truly baffling.

[DrCushing]

Originally Posted by chriszilla

I noticed yesterday that several Hammer titles that Shout! has released in recent years are now in the "Going Out Of Print Soon" section of their website -

Lust For A Vampire
Scars Of Dracula
To The Devil... A Daughter
Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde
Straight On Till Morning
Horror Of Frankenstein
Fear In The Night
Blood From The Mummy's Tomb
Demons Of The Mind

Interestingly, that's only a portion of their Hammer titles. It makes me curious if another company has acquired the rights to these, and if new releases might be forthcoming.

Those seem to be the titles licensed from Studio Canal.

[carlosrosa1029]

So that other HORROR OF DRACULA overseas bluray with the blue tint is not good to pick up?

[tangerinewolf]

Originally Posted by carlosrosa1029

So that other HORROR OF DRACULA overseas bluray with the blue tint is not good to pick up?

I would say no.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by carlosrosa1029

So that other HORROR OF DRACULA overseas bluray with the blue tint is not good to pick up?

I would say it's better to have the film than not
have it. Definitely pick it up.