HAMMER HORROR: 8-Film Collection from Universal!

[schlock]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Gives me hope that we might yet see a collection of Universal's classic 50s sci-fi films.

Agreed, Universal's been on a roll lately with their catalog titles, (Jaws sequels, Airport set, etc.) Now, reissuing their Hammer set on Blu...

I can see them upgrading their two "Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collections" soon hopefully.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by babybreese

The bad news is the masters that were destroyed in a fire years ago and unavailable and some of the new replacement masters have framing issues or are from a lesser source.

7 have had a UK release, 4 were technically flawed.
BRIDES ( wrong ratio, from a lesser source than the DVD )
WEREWOLF ( UK BD in incorrect ratio )
PHANTOM ( dropped frames )
NIGHT CREATURES ( was 1080i )

Guessing we'll get the same here except NIGHT CREATURE will be proper 1080p.
Still, a pleasant surprise and seems irresistible for Hammer nuts.

Did they actually get the masters that US Universal will be using, though? I know the DVD of Brides had FAR better colors.

This set is a good mishmash. Paranoiac, Brides and Werewolf are top tier, and Night Creatures/Captain Clegg is close. Kiss of the Vampire and Nightmare are quite good, too. Evil of Frankenstein is easily the worst of the Cushing Frankensteins, but it's watchable and has some cool set design, if nothing else. Phantom of the Opera is the only real clunker. I am guessing this won't bother getting the extras from the UK/German discs (like how The Mummy dropped them all), but it would be nice if they did. I don't really want to buy Curse of the Werewolf, Captain Clegg and Evil of Frankenstein again to get them. Maybe I'll just deal with the bare-bones.

[HeavyHitter]

Very good news. A lot of good horror catalog titles to look forward to this year.

[John_Drake]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Gives me hope that we might yet see a collection of Universal's classic 50s sci-fi films.

I hope so too.

Unfortunately, I suspect that to Universal the Hammer fans outnumber classic Sci-fi fans--though I hope I'm wrong.

[MattmanAlpha]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

The double sided discs that Universal released for these over 10 years ago had preaty good PQ, too bad the discs themselves were freeze prone junk.

I guess I hit it lucky. After going through a few for scratches, what I wound up with played (and still plays) like a dream.

[IanB1964]

Hmm, I own four of them already, three in that, er, monster Aussie Shock box and The Evil of Frankenstein on the Final Cut release (plagued with white spots here and there but mostly splendid in the transfer department; not exactly Hammer's finest hour but entertaining nonetheless. Love the lab gear, not so keen on them ransacking every Universal cliche that they'd avoided for legal reasons before). Not bothered about the others; I can't even remember if I like Phantom of the Opera, I haven't seen it since I was about ten. So, until some enterprising indie label releases The Gorgon and Quatermass II, or Warner release a better transfer of The Curse of Frankenstein than the anemic image that Lionsgate inflicted on an unsuspecting public, I think Hammer and I are done for the moment. I guess roughly 30 Bray/Elstree BDs is my limit.

Still waiting for Universal to replicate the contents of this box on BD. I'll be a happy chap when they do, even though I own two of them already. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Sci...classic+sci+fi

[AKORIS]

awesome news!!!!

[CinemaScope]

Personally I don't think there's a duffer among this lot, I even like The Evil Of Frankenstein (with the sloppy creature make-up job), I saw it at the cinema, & The Kiss Of The Vampire was the first Hammer film I saw at the cinema (& I really like The Phantom Of The Opera). I still have the DVD set, like I said, I really hope these are new transfers.

[RICKBONDOO7]

I have every one of them on UK region 2 Bluray except Nightmare. Did not care for it. Was not released by Final Cut or Eureka anyway. Will get this also. I hope they fix the screen ratio on them. Can't wait for the WB Hammer news. It should be soon. Also Kino is releasing One Million Years B.C. ..... Love The HAMMER Films

[aspberger]

Really want just the Brides of Dracula as I remember running home from school to watch when it came on during horror week on I believe WLS TV in Chicago when the showed movies before the news.

[DrunkenPumpkin]

So so good.
I actually have this dvd set and can upgrade and make space.

[Mighty Max]

Maybe...

[Rory]

Excellent news. I have a good feeling that the second wave of Universal Classic Monsters and Sci-fi films will be announced very soon.

[CBHampson]

Much prefer these to the more recent "culty" horror that most here get excited for. Definitely looking forward to this release

[Rich65]

I like the movies in this set and Phantom of The Opera is my favorite. Herbert Lom's performance was wonderful and Michael Gough was such a great villain.

[evilive]

I actually bought the single-sided set last year.

I found Curse of the Werewolf to be a biggest disappointment in the set. Was surprised at how great Paranoiac was though.

[startrekkin58]

Awesome. I've been wanting to see Brides again for a few years now. Paranoiac is also a little gem as well.

[StingingVelvet]

I never usually have OCD about movies, but man if these are in a single case it's going to drive me nutty.

[Markgway]

I tend to prefer the chillers to the fullblown monster horror; thus I have Eureka's excellent Paranoiac BD. I've seen Nightmare, but can't remember too much about it, or how it compares to Paranoiac. I think they'd make a great double bill.

[Jobla]

A knowledgeable person has heard that new transfers are within the realm of possibility, for this set. However, nothing is etched in stone.