Hammer Horror

[wenton_sam]

I think Dracula(1958) and the Curse of Frankenstein(1957) are great. Why is it when I talk to so many people about it that the classic Hammer Horror productions are so derided. I know they did get derivative but compared to the Universal versions these were a serious step up towards serious horror.

[jaycad]

I like both films mentioned and also 'the hound of the baskervilles' from the same era,the 'dracula' sequels get progressively worse but are still enjoyable! For some reason the blood and gore gets more unrealistic with each film but apart from the odd caveman or sci fi film i'm very fond of both hammer and amicus productions.

[Gerald Lovell]

name='wenton_sam' date='26 July 2010 - 01:33 PM' timestamp='1280147583' post='456353']

I think Dracula(1958) and the Curse of Frankenstein(1957) are great. Why is it when I talk to so many people about it that the classic Hammer Horror productions are so derided. I know they did get derivative but compared to the Universal versions these were a serious step up towards serious horror.

I think you'll find there a quite a few supporters of Hammer horror films on here! Their early work in particular is excellent and it's a crying shame that a deal can't be done with Warner Bros. to release the restored British version of Dracula on bluray.

[wenton_sam]

It seems a shame that because of the later films that Hammer became a bit like the Carry On of horror. People who do watch a lot of films kind of know that the early stuff was good but when I bring up Hammer horror in general conversation there is a kind of snigger. Its a shame you to don't get to see these things reproduced on the big screen at your local cinema, maybe people would appreciate them more.

[jaycad]

I've never seen a hammer film on the cinema (the forthcoming 'woman in black' will be the first) i think they work best on tv late on a saturday night,there's another thread on this forum with a petition for the BBC to bring back late night horror!

[Gerald Lovell]

I never saw a Hammer horror film in the cinema either. The closest I got to that was when my elder sister told me about the ones she went to see. I still remember her chilling account of The Mummy's Shroud!



Saturday late night viewing certainly adds to the experience.

[wenton_sam]

I think you're right, my fondest memories are staying up late on Saturday and watching a Dracula film I'm heading over to the petition now.

[markrgv]

Another thing often missed is how good the production values were (during the Bray Studio years) and on such a small budget.

[Gerald Lovell]

name='markrgv' date='26 July 2010 - 03:53 PM' timestamp='1280155989' post='456416']

Another thing often missed is how good the production values were (during the Bray Studio years) and on such a small budget.

Indeed, and many of those involved in Hammer's heyday single out Bernard Robinson's art direction as a major contribution to that. That green studded door that showed up in The Curse of Frankenstein and just about every gothic film thereafter is like a dear old friend.

[GRAEME]

Sheer snobbery! It is the same ignorance that often greets mention of any genre fiction/movies. People believe they "know" all about westerns or Hammer Horrors or musicals - not because they have sat down and taken them in, but second or third hand through exaggerations and snidely generalising stand up comedy routines and pastiches.



Then, when they encounter a superior example of the form they assume this must be a "one-off" or an exception!

[mark666]

I don't find Hammer films are generally derided. Obviously if you show them to young people who have just watched Hostel / SAW then they will be disappointed with the lack of blood and guts but in 20 years time youngsters will be disappointed with the lack of blood and guts in Hostel compared to what is being seen then. As for the latest 'Hammer' film, imo it is in name only as everyone involved in Hammer, I don't mean starlets etc but the main men on both sides of the camera, are dead. With regards cinema showing they were cutting edge horror in the 50's / 60's and shown to full houses around the world. 1958's Dracula had queues around the block in America.

[markrgv]

name='Gerald Lovell' date='26 July 2010 - 02:21 PM' timestamp='1280150468' post='456375']

I think you'll find there a quite a few supporters of Hammer horror films on here! Their early work in particular is excellent and it's a crying shame that a deal can't be done with Warner Bros. to release the restored British version of Dracula on bluray.

Yes a blu-ray release of the restored Dracula would be great - especially if done properly and including commentaries with Sir Christopher Lee and Jimmy Sangster.

[wellendcanons]

The Devil Rides Out and Night Of The Demon are my two favourite Hammer films.



wellendcanons.

[markrgv]

name='wellendcanons' date='26 July 2010 - 06:44 PM' timestamp='1280166275' post='456505']

The Devil Rides Out and Night Of The Demon are my two favourite Hammer films.



wellendcanons.

Both great films.... but (cough) Night of the Demon wasn't a Hammer film. According to IMDB it was produced by Sabre Films and Columbia. Great film though and another that there should be a special edition dvd of.

[wellendcanons]

name='markrgv' date='26 July 2010 - 06:54 PM' timestamp='1280166869' post='456511']

Both great films.... but (cough) Night of the Demon wasn't a Hammer film. According to IMDB it was produced by Sabre Films and Columbia. Great film though and another that there should be a special edition dvd of.

I didn't realize Night Of The Demon wasn't a Hammer film. Thanks for putting me right markrgv. That settles it, The Devil Rides Out is my favourite Hammer film.



wellendcanons.

[kesss]

name='wellendcanons' date='26 July 2010 - 06:28 PM' timestamp='1280168899' post='456535']

I didn't realize Night Of The Demon wasn't a Hammer film. Thanks for putting me right markrgv. That settles it, The Devil Rides Out is my favourite Hammer film.



wellendcanons.

Hammer horror movies were so entertaining,as a child they terrified me,especially Dracula ,i think they will always have a cult following

[lionheart]

name='kesss' date='26 July 2010 - 11:23 PM' timestamp='1280183035' post='456716']

Hammer horror movies were so entertaining,as a child they terrified me,especially Dracula ,i think they will always have a cult following

i agree fully , watching the double horror bills on BBC2 with my brother on saturaday evenings ,was a great feeling.

and i do miss the anticipation



as mentioned before maybe they could release some of these classics on blu-ray , esp with the renewed interest with vampires

and werewolves amongst the younger generation ( ie, sexed up dramas like Twilight and new moon ..i know they are just Dawsons creek repackaged , but the kids love them )



when i was a teen the only new Hammer to come out was House of the Long Shadows , so maybe a few could be converted over to the good old Hammer days



ps:

i am tempted to get a couple of hammer poster mugs

http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/.../Product.html#





Rich

[Gerald Lovell]

name='lionheart' date='27 July 2010 - 10:40 AM' timestamp='1280223640' post='456831']

i agree fully , watching the double horror bills on BBC2 with my brother on saturaday evenings ,was a great feeling.

and i do miss the anticipation



as mentioned before maybe they could release some of these classics on blu-ray , esp with the renewed interest with vampires

and werewolves amongst the younger generation ( ie, sexed up dramas like Twilight and new moon ..i know they are just Dawsons creek repackaged , but the kids love them )



when i was a teen the only new Hammer to come out was House of the Long Shadows , so maybe a few could be converted over to the good old Hammer days



ps:

i am tempted to get a couple of hammer poster mugs

http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/.../Product.html#





Rich

I'm not sure that the younger generation will appreciate the more traditional Hammer vampires, who generally were not goth romantic teens, but vicious creatures of the night out for blood.

House of the Long Shadows wasn't a Hammer film, Rich, even though Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were in it. I think it was a Cannon film.

[HammerDave]

It's easy to deride Hammer films these days as even the good ones are heavily dated. But that overlooks the positives: the fine actors, the great scrips, the superb production design, the music of James Bernard... Even the bad ones have a certain charm.



Few things have made me angrier than a few years back, when that Radio Times idiot Alison Graham dismissed the Hammer Dracula series as 'pantomime' in an advertorial praising, of all things, the Marc Warren BBC TV movie of Dracula, which is the worst adaptation of the book I've ever seen.

[Gerald Lovell]

name='HammerDave' date='27 July 2010 - 11:25 AM' timestamp='1280226334' post='456870']

It's easy to deride Hammer films these days as even the good ones are heavily dated. But that overlooks the positives: the fine actors, the great scrips, the superb production design, the music of James Bernard... Even the bad ones have a certain charm.



Few things have made me angrier than a few years back, when that Radio Times idiot Alison Graham dismissed the Hammer Dracula series as 'pantomime' in an advertorial praising, of all things, the Marc Warren BBC TV movie of Dracula, which is the worst adaptation of the book I've ever seen.

The Marc Warren version is so bad, I've never had the slightest urge to watch it again. Now, if Christopher Lee glided into a room in a long cape and with red eyeballs, you knew you were in trouble . . .