Hammer Horror Blu-ray Releases

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by AndersHu

Four Sided Triangle Limited is now down to £17.99 at Amazon.

Oh I do hope the others follow suit… that’s the price I can’t refuse for Shatter, Blood Orange and Man in Black.

[Sarastro]

Originally Posted by AndersHu

Four Sided Triangle Limited is now down to £17.99 at Amazon.

No its not; that's the standard edition Blu Ray. The Collectors Edition is still £34.99.

[AndersHu]

It was the Limited for £17.99, but it did not last long. The standard UHD stayed at £24.99.

[paulboland]

The Curse of Frankenstein
Collector's and Standard Editions

Amazon UK live to pre order

4K+Blu-ray Limited Collector's Edition
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP2SWMHP


Standard Editions
4K
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP2SRKG5

Blu-ray
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FP2RGPPG

[the13thman]

Just ordered mine from HMV.

Anyone ordering from Hammer needs to know that their return process requires you to return the entire set if there's a problem with only one disc and you'll have to do this before you get the replacement so in theory you could get another damaged set and have to go through the process again and again. It's the worst, most inflexible return process of any UK label.

[ghostof82]

They're releasing standard editions same time as the limited? That's a curious move. I think I'll go for the standard then; the cover art is better than the box to my eyes and takes up far less shelf space. The Kronos standard 4K is an excellent release and not having to wait longer for the Curse of Frankenstein one will be brilliant. I'll have to lose the bonus disc exclusive to the LE but I think I can live with that.

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by ghostof82

They're releasing standard editions same time as the limited? That's a curious move.

It's what Second Sight do and it's a smart move to meet the needs of people who don't want big box sets.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by ghostof82

They're releasing standard editions same time as the limited? That's a curious move. I think I'll go for the standard then; the cover art is better than the box to my eyes and takes up far less shelf space. The Kronos standard 4K is an excellent release and not having to wait longer for the Curse of Frankenstein one will be brilliant. I'll have to lose the bonus disc exclusive to the LE but I think I can live with that.

They are, which surprised me as before pre-orders started on their site they were only promoting the LE. It’s the first time they’ve done this.

I guess with Curse they feel the LE sells itself as the 6th disc with the documentary is exclusive to the LE and isn’t included with the standard versions.

[moorje]

For the less tech-specific observant of us, are there any major differences to the UK Lionsgate release or is it just a more recent scan?

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by moorje

For the less tech-specific observant of us, are there any major differences to the UK Lionsgate release or is it just a more recent scan?

It's not out yet so nobody can say but I have observed that many UK Lionsgate Blu-ray discs from the last decade have failed or are failing. I'm replacing all of the ones I want to keep in my collection.

[Mr. Thomsen]

Originally Posted by moorje

For the less tech-specific observant of us, are there any major differences to the UK Lionsgate release or is it just a more recent scan?

The Lionsgate scan is based on an old scan of a lesser source.

This new release is based on the best source available, the three separation protection masters, which were originally struck from the negative.

The original camera negative is now too badly faded to be used, and supposedly was only used for the titles.

Warner Archive used the YCM separation protection masters for their release in 2020, so I would not expect the new release to have more details than that - that is, if they are even using a new scan and not just reusing the existing (very good) scan from WAC.

Supposedly WAC used a lot of time on money to correct the issues with the YCM separation protection masters for their release. You basically have to match up three monochrome prints, each holding all information in one primary colour (yellow, cyan or margenta), to create a new full-colour version. However, with time, these three prints might shrink differently, so there is a lot of work to be done to align and correct the images. This is why it would make sense for Hammer to reuse the scan from 2020.

But regardless whether they have reused WAC's 2020 scans or have had new ones made, Hammer have done a complete new digital restoration of both image and sound. As someone else has already pointed out, just from the images in the trailer, it looks like the WAC release was a tiny bit more yellow than this new one is going to be.

Hammer have also done a complete restoration of the original soundtrack and even a new alternative multi-channel remix based on that restoration.

On top of that, you get basically every English-language extra ever made for the film, including a lot of new ones.

If you buy the expensive collector's edition, you also get Ted Newsom's excellent old docu on Hammer, Flesh and Blood (which was previously released on DVD), and you get that old pilot for a proposed Hammer TV series based on the story, Tales of Frankenstein.

No matter whether one chooses one of the standard editions (or the new WAC release) or the huge dual-format limited collector's edition, this is going to be a significant upgrade from the old Lionsgate Blu-ray.

[oddbox83]

What's this then?

Hammer Horrors 3 disc Blu-ray
https://www.rarewaves.com/products/5...EkajUzJGwwJGgw

Is it a quick cash-in of the new Curse main disc with reissued discs for Dracula and The Mummy before 4K editions....?

EDIT: Yep, a quick cash-in while those old masters have any value.

"This is where it all began...

Hammer Horror: two synonymous words that became global shorthand for a run of hugely successful films which remain revered and influential to this day.

Horror legends Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in three thrilling gothic horrors featuring Hammer's iconic take on Frankenstein, Dracula and the Mummy.

THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN

After years of intense study, Victor Frankenstein brings a dead animal back to life through the power of science. Overawed with success, he decides that he must now build the perfect human being – from body parts!

DRACULA

Jonathan Harker arrives in Klausenburg to take up his new post as librarian at the local castle. But Harker hides a terrible secret – he is a vampire hunter and his deadly quarry is the castle's owner: Count Dracula!

THE MUMMY

Defying a fatal curse and entering a freshly excavated tomb, a group of Egyptologists unwittingly resurrect the mummified high priest who acts as the tomb's guardian. Death and madness is their reward.

This set features HD remasters made in the 2010s and not new 4K restorations.

EXTRAS:

Trailers

[tangerinewolf]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

What's this then?

Hammer Horrors 3 disc Blu-ray
https://www.rarewaves.com/products/5...EkajUzJGwwJGgw

Is it a quick cash-in of the new Curse main disc with reissued discs for Dracula and The Mummy before 4K editions....?

EDIT: Yep, a quick cash-in while those old masters have any value.

A rather useless set for hardcore Hammer fans, but it could serve as a pretty good introduction to those who are only just starting to get interested in Hammer Horror. Although the price tag should be cheaper.

[T4ffer]

Man in Black has shipped!

[Davys Flicks]

Originally Posted by tangerinewolf

A rather useless set for hardcore Hammer fans, but it could serve as a pretty good introduction to those who are only just starting to get interested in Hammer Horror. Although the price tag should be cheaper.

Maybe...though at 40 quid? I think they'd be better buying Dracula and Frankenstein (with all the extras) for 11 quid each from Amazon if they want an intro.

[Django100]

'Wolfshead - The Legend of Robin Hood' gone through the BBFC. An extra on MOSF I suspect...

[Mark Meakin]

Originally Posted by Django100

'Wolfshead - The Legend of Robin Hood' gone through the BBFC. An extra on MOSF I suspect...

Hopefully this rarely seen film will get a nice HD restoration.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Mark Meakin

Hopefully this rarely seen film will get a nice HD restoration.

It would be nice if it still existed on film to allow that. All I've seen are dodgy VHS-sourced copies. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfshead-R...dp/B0FP3T6H72/

[Nitroes]

Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters Official Trailer | Hammer Films - YouTube

Who's seen that? I watched it today was very nicely done with a load of excellent detail.

Would have liked more in fact.

John Gore (owner) must have deep pockets for that last bit of licensing.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33075131/reference/

https://www.sky.com/watch/programme/...0-6f29b437076c

[The Hornets]

Watched it on Sky Arts earlier this year.