Saturday, August 29, 2015

DVD Review - Hammer Films Collection



Hammer Films Collection
Directors: Terence Fisher, Seth Holt, Val Guest, Michael Carreras
Starring: Paul Massie, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing,
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00ZGIOL8I
Running Time: 7 hours 24 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Every diehard horror fan knows the name "Hammer Films," the British production company released a slew of Gothic horror flicks throughout the mid 1950s until the 1970s. Now available town on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment is the two-disc Hammer Films Collection, featuring five frightening movies - The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, Scream of Fear!, The Gorgon, Stop Me Before I Kill!, and The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb.

Also known as the House of Fright and Jekyll's Inferno, The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960) was directed by Terence Fisher and starred Paul Massie as Henry Jekyll, a man whom is heartbroken when he learns that his wife, Kitty has cheated on him with Paul Allen (played by Christopher Lee). Out of his mind, he creates a potion that turns him into a crazed killer.


Scream of Fear (original titled Taste of Fear) was directed by Seth Holt and was released to theaters in 1961. It centers on a paralyzed woman (played by Susan Strasberg) returns to her family home to unravel the mystery behind her father's disappearance. Christopher Lee is also featured in this tale.


The late Christopher Lee also starred in the 1964's The Gorgon. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film was set in 1910 in rural village of Germany and centered on the aftermath of seven murders that occurred during the span of five years. Each victim was turned into stone! Peter Rushing also co-stars in this Greek mythology inspired film.


The 1961's Stop Me Before I Kill! (also known as The Full Treatment) was directed by Val Guest. This strange flick centers on a race car driver, Alan Colby (played by Ronald Lewis), who is recovering from a terrible accident that causes him to suffer from blackouts and rages. He seeks the help of a doctor, but things only get worse from there.


Hammer Films released four Mummy movies, which the 1964's The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb was the second film in the series. Directed by Michael Carreras, the movie centers on a American showman and financier that stumbles upon a mummified pharaoh, which has escaped its cage and goes on a bloody rampage in the sewers of London.


I grew up watching the Hammer Films when they aired on AMC around Halloween back in the 1990s. The films have disappeared from cable channels, so I'm more than happy that the films are now available on DVD. Yes, a few of these films have a campy feel to them, but that's what makes them fun to watch. My favorite out this bunch is the underrated The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb! The other four movies are good as well and the picture quality of all the films looks great on DVD. Overall, I had a blast watching the Hammer Films Collection and I recommend it to other horror fans.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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