The Curse of Frankenstein 4K UHD (1957) Pre-order

[Joppers]

Originally Posted by IPreferPi

Hoping WAC does a 4K UHD of Horror of Dracula next!

Wouldn't surprise me if that's October 2026's release.

[HeavyHitter]

Region-locked is a real kick in the balls to everybody. The chance to finally get these in UHD and yet some titles may not be available to everyone? Ugh.

[sfmarine]

We need to support these WAC 4K releases as much as possible, so we can get more!

[u2popmofo]

The 2020 Bluray release of Curse might be my favorite Warner Archive release. Very happy to double dip for 4KHDR, Atmos, and new features!


EDIT:

The audio version of The Extras podcast episode about this release is up / available now on Spotify. Youtube version isn't up yet.

[happydood]

What great news to wake up to! I've been on my annual Hammer kick and was contemplating looking at my Dracula and Curse BDs but something told me to wait till October announcements were out. I'm guessing Dracula's elements are even more problematic than Curse's notorious issues since they used the BFI restoration as the source for the Archive release, but if this is coming I have to believe they're working on Dracula, too.

It's going to financially sting to upgrade my 60-plus Hammer blu-ray titles, and I always thought I'd probably only do so for Terrence Fisher/Jack Asher/Cushing & Lee titles, but I probably oughtta stop kidding myself now.

[ponderingtheuniverse]

I'm glad I didn't pick up the blu-ray since we're getting this on 4K now. I'll look forward to Horror getting an upgrade too. I certainly wouldn't mind any label giving us more Hazel Court in 4K (The Masque of the Red Death, The Raven, and Premature Burial especially.)

[happydood]

I probably already know the answer to this, but is it possible for this to look any sharper given the elements that they'll likely be using? I love the blu-ray and applaud all of WA's efforts to make it look as good as it does, but I was a little underwhelmed by that aspect of the presentation. I also know that's not really what the benefits of 4K are really all about, but one can hope...

[SeanWhitmore]

Well, damn. I didn’t even know 4K discs could be region-locked. I assumed if they could be, they all would be.

That really sucks, I’ve admired all these Hammer physical releases from afar, just waiting for a title that’s worth that price to me.

[stvn1974]

Fandango has this and Horror of Dracula to watch for free with ads so I watched both last night. It had been so long since I had seen either and they were a blast. Will be getting the Warner Archive disc and hopeful for HoD.

[Cat Vision]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Region-locked is a real kick in the balls to everybody. The chance to finally get these in UHD and yet some titles may not be available to everyone? Ugh.

But you can get them, and they will be available, since Warner is releasing it as well.

[mkyuncle]

Is there such a thing as a Region free 4K UHD player? Can someone name a few? I really like the UK 6 Disc set.

[happydood]

Thanks to Mifunefan for all the info on the editions and extras. From what I can tell the 6th disk in the UK edition looks like the Flesh and Blood doc and some extras relating to it along with the Pilot for the TV show. I have the doc on the standalone dvd- I can't imagine it's going to look a whole lot better than that given what it is and its original pedigree, so I'm going to be good with the Archive edition.

[Ingmar Bergman fan]

I’ll be getting both releases. Great news! To those who are asking if this will look better than the Warner release a few years ago - yes - especially color. For years we only had a UK release on blu with washed out color. And for those asking if there is such a thing as region free 4K players - yes. I’ve been region free with both blu-ray and now 4K for the better part of 16 - 17 years.

[brainofj72]

FWIW, Little Shoppe of Horrors posted this on FB:

There was some story going around that the 4K UHD version of CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, from Hammer, would be region locked and won't play on US 4K players. That is incorrect. While the blu rays are region locked, the 4K will play on any UHD player.

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by mkyuncle

Is there such a thing as a Region free 4K UHD player? Can someone name a few? I really like the UK 6 Disc set.

No. Only modded players and their playback is problematic.

[Ingmar Bergman fan]

I’ve never had any problems with my players -
One I modded myself internally (blu-ray) and the 4K players all have external mod kits that plug into RS 232 port - simple and easy to install and easy to use. And I’ve never had playback issues for any region.

[tonylopez]

Originally Posted by tonylopez

It's been confirmed that all the UK discs including the 4Ks will be region locked.

Apparently not now which is great news!

[MifuneFan]

Wasn't it Hammer Films themselves that said it would be locked?

Originally Posted by NJPete

Just in case anyone was wondering about the Hammer UK box, I just had confirmation from them via email that all 6 discs, including the UHDs, in their UK Box Limited Edition will be region B locked.

Pete also just posted this comment to the Little Shoppe of Horrors FB page:

Hammer answered my email inquiry with this response: “All of the discs in The Curse Of Frankenstein Limited Collector’s Edition are locked to region B.”

[MifuneFan]

Actually, even Hammer's page itself appears to indicate the release is region B:

Take a look at the tech specs at the bottom of the page for each of the releases on their website,and you will see only Curse has Region B there. Everything else is ABC for the 4K discs.

Curse of Frankenstein:



Qatermass 2



Blood Orange



Captain Kronos

[AKORIS]

having a hard time with this one.... the last WAC blu ray release was universally acclaimed and seemed a definitive edition...

is the 4k really going to be much better?????????