I have the most powerfully nostalgic memories of watching these movies as a kid and teenager and now that I have a family of my own I wanted to get back into them and this channel vid was heaven sent. A The depth of expertise in your reviews are just incredible. Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge.
After completing my Universal horror collection last year, I've decided to start Hammer Horror. This is such an excellent video. The information, analysis, and presentation are great! Thank you! No-brainer to sub to this channel.
Loved Hammer films ever since Dracula Prince Of Darkness scared the hell out of me when I was young. 1 Dracula Prince of Darkness 2 Dracula 3 Dracula Has Risen From The Grave 4 Twins Of Evil 5 Satanic Rites Of Dracula 6 Taste The Blood Of Dracula 7 Brides Of Dracula 8 The Devil Rides Out 9 Hound Of The Baskervilles 10 Kiss of the Vampire
Outstanding coverage as always! Hammer has been a significant subject of interest for me over the last few years with Indicator really to blame. Their Hammer box sets are really beautiful, and I feel lucky to be up-to-date with that particular collection. I was happy to receive confirmation (via Indicator directly) that a seventh volume is currently in the works. I hope we get an announcement very soon. Also, I purchased "The Curse of Frankenstein" on your recommendation via Warner Archive, and watched it last month. Wow, what a film! It immediately joined the yearly "must watch in October" list. Along with Curse, I purchased Doctor X, Mystery of the Wax Museum and Isle of the Dead, the first two of which I watched last month. I'll need more time with those two films, but I certainly understand their place in film history.
The indicator sets are amazing. I picked up the volume 6 and the standalones for vol 1 that I missed on the recent sale. If only they could get the whole catalog though it seems they got many from the studio canal deal. I keep hoping they announce Brides of Dracula! I’m glad you discovered Curse and got to see it looking so grand the first time. I love the feeling of “yes this is going on the yearly list!” The 2 color Technicolor horrors can take some getting used to but become old favorites. And any of the Lewton nine horrors are majestic.
Horror of Dracula was one of the horror films that I watched for Halloween and as expected, it does not disappoint. Such a terrific adaptation of Dracula with incredible performances and direction. I sadly don't have many of the Hammer classics, but I will make sure to correct that.
What great coverage! I loved the depth you go into and passionate you are for these classics… I need to get me a copy of ‘Hounds of the Baskerville’ , you have enlightened me ✅😎 keep up the great work!
Fantastic video. This is my top 10 below. I'm not ranking them in any particular order today as I still haven't seen half the catalogue. It's a work in progress. - Dracula (only seen the first 6 of these films to date) - Brides of Dracula - Dracula Prince of Darkness - Kiss of the Vampire (I pretend this is set in the same world as the main series) - Curse of Frankenstein - Revenge of Frankenstein (I really need to upgrade to that indicator blu ray) - Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell (I have that British blu ray - it was a little bit cheaper on Ebay a couple of years ago than it is now) - Hound of the Baskervilles (really been meaning to upgrade to the arrow version to see those features) - Curse of the Werewolf (I have a nice dvd steelbook for this) - The Mummy (I've seen 3 of the 4 but this is the best)
That’s a good list. Mines very loose as well because it’s so darn hard to do!! Awesome you’ve got the British Monster From Hell Blu. I really wish I had gotten it as it’s super expensive now and I’d love to see the restored version. The dvd master is really showing its age and is cut. I need to get the Shout Kiss of the Vampire but hope that one too gets an Indicator version. Heck I hope Indicator gets them all and can do a Monster From Hell release.
Great video. If you haven’t watched a lot of these, it’s difficult to know where to start. It’s always good to be reminded about the very best of these Hammer films.
WoW...another great scholarly lecture...commendable you are...On a light-note...you managed to speak for 2 hours on Hammer Horror NEVER uttering the word CLEAVAGE...That is amazing...All your speeches are Amazing...Thank You
Your passion and eloquence for Terence Fisher is amazing. He really is very underrated and is only really given credit by Hammer fans. Awesome to see so many vids celebrating Hammer on UA-cam and yours is one of the best I’ve seen. .As a new convert who who would like to start collecting, watching your video helped make sense of the bewildering array of dvd and blu ray choices. You seem to highly recommend, Shout Factory so I think I will start there. The Hound of the Baskervilles is my personal favourite for marrying Hammer with Sherlock. Criminal to not be able to get a bluray of it. Will you do a top 10 hammer horror not directed by Fisher? One of my favourites Night Creatures (more adventure than horror, but the horsemen on the marshes is one of the more terrifying scenes in the Hammer filmography) is going to come outvon blu ray by Shout.
Thank you! Fisher is for me one of the absolute key figures in the company's history and wound up directing most of my favorites thus he dominated this list. Outside of horror circles he rarely gets mentioned which is sadly true of most genre greats. Collecting Hammer films is a very difficult proposition due to their being spread across so many studios and rights holders-and even more difficult is identifying the best transfers, editions and presentations. Shout Factory has been doing better with their releases but still don't do as good of a job as some other labels. You really have to examine the releases on a film by film basis to make sure you've got everything. The best releases period are the Volume boxsets from the Indicator label. While most are now out of print they have released standalone reissues with the identical disc contents. All of their Hammer releases are must owns and definitive for the respective films. They've also gone into the non horrors and made fantastic releases of titles like The Snorkel and Stranglers of Bombay.
Great commentary and analysis. While Horror of Dracula is at the top of my list also, I would say the weak link in this movie is Michael Gough’s flamboyant and over-the-top performance. I would also add that Brides of Dracula is on my top 5 favorite Hammer movies’ list. An exquisite masterpiece, with a great and unique climax, which for me, ranks amongst Hammer’s best. The movie does not drag at all. Just a beautiful movie with many unexpected surprises and superb performances. Thank you for your thoughtful and interesting reviews. Great video.
I never found Gough to be over the top in Horror but several critics also feel as you do. Personally I think it’s a necessary part of the character’s arc from stuffy nonbeliever to open minded soul and fits perfectly with his being more open with his wife at the end. I struggled with this list as I do on all top 10s. Brides is perhaps the key film in Hammer’s style and it would’ve been in the list had I not been so keen on the stories of some of the other films. If I made the list now it would probably be totally different-I love them all.
Picked up the Scream Factory DEVIL RIDES OUT based on your recommendation. So far have only watched the Kim Newman talk thus far (I always end up having to watch those a second time because the initial viewing consists of me trying to decipher the titles of the books on his shelves). I agree with you that HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES is one of the best Holmes films.
Haha totally agreed on the Kim Newman shelf hunting. The Shout release is the only good version in the world in terms of the US source scan with good image, mono and original effects which aren’t anywhere else. Hound incredibly well done and becomes a title to continually return to.
Great list! I don’t feel qualified enough to make my own as I still haven’t seen all the Hammer films yet; but I am in complete agreement with your placement of those I have. I did order six of Shout’s Hammer releases in their October “sale” ( which will all be first time viewings), and Revenge of Frankenstein is currently flying over the Atlantic to me courtesy of Indicator. I may just pick up that Mill Creek 20-film set on the cheap too. I know it’s not the best, but I just want to see all of those other Hammer titles.
There’s one or two exclusive to the mill creek set to date but they reused dvd era masters on most everything like their standalone bluray double feature discs. I’m hoping Indicator comes out with move boxset volumes.
I enjoyed your very interesting analysis. I would, however, have had rather more Dracula in my top 10. In particular, my top 5 would have to include Dracula, Prince of Darkness and Brides of Dracula.
heres mine 1.The Devil Rides Out 2.Dracula 3.Rasputin The Mad Monk 7.Dracula Prince of Darkness 5.The Mummy 6.Plague of Zombies 4.The Gorgon. 8.Curse of Frankenstein 9.The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll 10.Frankenstein Created Woman
IV been buying studio canal hammer films seen the witches , devil rides out , loved 😍 both witches transfer looked amazing 😍 ( I do have a 4 k player and 4k oled though , also hammer house of horror series by network beautiful transfer on Blu-ray 📀👏🎬
I love hammer films, and have seen many of their horror films , but, still have not seen them all . With the many I have seen, I could never ever puck a top 10. One reason I would probably like many of the films I have yet to see. Just my take , but, picking , a top 10 best makes no sense to me. Way too many great movies would be left off. Like saying a top 10 Beatles song, just impossible.
@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader one problem with making a top 10 list is that it will change, the next day or a couple of weeks. Simply because we think twice or sometimes not always sure especially when most of the movies are so close to call the best.
A great Hammet Films Documentary. A Very informative Documentary. Good information on Hammer Films and very well done.
I have the most powerfully nostalgic memories of watching these movies as a kid and teenager and now that I have a family of my own I wanted to get back into them and this channel vid was heaven sent. A
The depth of expertise in your reviews are just incredible. Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge.
After completing my Universal horror collection last year, I've decided to start Hammer Horror. This is such an excellent video. The information, analysis, and presentation are great! Thank you! No-brainer to sub to this channel.
Loved Hammer films ever since Dracula Prince Of Darkness scared the hell out of me when I was young.
1 Dracula Prince of Darkness
2 Dracula
3 Dracula Has Risen From The Grave
4 Twins Of Evil
5 Satanic Rites Of Dracula
6 Taste The Blood Of Dracula
7 Brides Of Dracula
8 The Devil Rides Out
9 Hound Of The Baskervilles
10 Kiss of the Vampire
Outstanding coverage as always! Hammer has been a significant subject of interest for me over the last few years with Indicator really to blame. Their Hammer box sets are really beautiful, and I feel lucky to be up-to-date with that particular collection. I was happy to receive confirmation (via Indicator directly) that a seventh volume is currently in the works. I hope we get an announcement very soon. Also, I purchased "The Curse of Frankenstein" on your recommendation via Warner Archive, and watched it last month. Wow, what a film! It immediately joined the yearly "must watch in October" list. Along with Curse, I purchased Doctor X, Mystery of the Wax Museum and Isle of the Dead, the first two of which I watched last month. I'll need more time with those two films, but I certainly understand their place in film history.
The indicator sets are amazing. I picked up the volume 6 and the standalones for vol 1 that I missed on the recent sale. If only they could get the whole catalog though it seems they got many from the studio canal deal. I keep hoping they announce Brides of Dracula!
I’m glad you discovered Curse and got to see it looking so grand the first time. I love the feeling of “yes this is going on the yearly list!”
The 2 color Technicolor horrors can take some getting used to but become old favorites.
And any of the Lewton nine horrors are majestic.
Horror of Dracula was one of the horror films that I watched for Halloween and as expected, it does not disappoint. Such a terrific adaptation of Dracula with incredible performances and direction. I sadly don't have many of the Hammer classics, but I will make sure to correct that.
What great coverage! I loved the depth you go into and passionate you are for these classics… I need to get me a copy of ‘Hounds of the Baskerville’ , you have enlightened me ✅😎 keep up the great work!
Great list. I would have put Twins of Evil on the list. And The Gorgon at least as an honorable mention. Great video, subscribed!
Thanks! This list changes every time I try to do one. There’s so many great and especially underrated Hammer films including all the non horror films!
Fantastic video. This is my top 10 below. I'm not ranking them in any particular order today as I still haven't seen half the catalogue. It's a work in progress.
- Dracula (only seen the first 6 of these films to date)
- Brides of Dracula
- Dracula Prince of Darkness
- Kiss of the Vampire (I pretend this is set in the same world as the main series)
- Curse of Frankenstein
- Revenge of Frankenstein (I really need to upgrade to that indicator blu ray)
- Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell (I have that British blu ray - it was a little bit cheaper on Ebay a couple of years ago than it is now)
- Hound of the Baskervilles (really been meaning to upgrade to the arrow version to see those features)
- Curse of the Werewolf (I have a nice dvd steelbook for this)
- The Mummy (I've seen 3 of the 4 but this is the best)
That’s a good list. Mines very loose as well because it’s so darn hard to do!!
Awesome you’ve got the British Monster From Hell Blu. I really wish I had gotten it as it’s super expensive now and I’d love to see the restored version. The dvd master is really showing its age and is cut.
I need to get the Shout Kiss of the Vampire but hope that one too gets an Indicator version. Heck I hope Indicator gets them all and can do a Monster From Hell release.
Great video. If you haven’t watched a lot of these, it’s difficult to know where to start. It’s always good to be reminded about the very best of these Hammer films.
I’m just starting to build my hammer horror collection. Your video was great. Cheers!
Awesome video. I've really been getting into Hammer lately so this video is very much appreciated.
I think 'The Mummy's Hand' is the best mummy movie for me. Love the characters, the settings, the portrayal of the mummy (those eyes).
WoW...another great scholarly lecture...commendable you are...On a light-note...you managed to speak for 2 hours on Hammer Horror NEVER uttering the word CLEAVAGE...That is amazing...All your speeches are Amazing...Thank You
Thank you!
😂😂😂😂 I should probably remedy that with a video that says cleavage, Michael Ripper and the other mainstays…
Your passion and eloquence for Terence Fisher is amazing. He really is very underrated and is only really given credit by Hammer fans. Awesome to see so many vids celebrating Hammer on UA-cam and yours is one of the best I’ve seen. .As a new convert who who would like to start collecting, watching your video helped make sense of the bewildering array of dvd and blu ray choices. You seem to highly recommend, Shout Factory so I think I will start there. The Hound of the Baskervilles is my personal favourite for marrying Hammer with Sherlock. Criminal to not be able to get a bluray of it. Will you do a top 10 hammer horror not directed by Fisher? One of my favourites Night Creatures (more adventure than horror, but the horsemen on the marshes is one of the more terrifying scenes in the Hammer filmography) is going to come outvon blu ray by Shout.
Thank you! Fisher is for me one of the absolute key figures in the company's history and wound up directing most of my favorites thus he dominated this list. Outside of horror circles he rarely gets mentioned which is sadly true of most genre greats.
Collecting Hammer films is a very difficult proposition due to their being spread across so many studios and rights holders-and even more difficult is identifying the best transfers, editions and presentations. Shout Factory has been doing better with their releases but still don't do as good of a job as some other labels. You really have to examine the releases on a film by film basis to make sure you've got everything. The best releases period are the Volume boxsets from the Indicator label. While most are now out of print they have released standalone reissues with the identical disc contents. All of their Hammer releases are must owns and definitive for the respective films. They've also gone into the non horrors and made fantastic releases of titles like The Snorkel and Stranglers of Bombay.
Great commentary and analysis. While Horror of Dracula is at the top of my list also, I would say the weak link in this movie is Michael Gough’s flamboyant and over-the-top performance. I would also add that Brides of Dracula is on my top 5 favorite Hammer movies’ list. An exquisite masterpiece, with a great and unique climax, which for me, ranks amongst Hammer’s best. The movie does not drag at all. Just a beautiful movie with many unexpected surprises and superb performances. Thank you for your thoughtful and interesting reviews. Great video.
I never found Gough to be over the top in Horror but several critics also feel as you do. Personally I think it’s a necessary part of the character’s arc from stuffy nonbeliever to open minded soul and fits perfectly with his being more open with his wife at the end.
I struggled with this list as I do on all top 10s. Brides is perhaps the key film in Hammer’s style and it would’ve been in the list had I not been so keen on the stories of some of the other films. If I made the list now it would probably be totally different-I love them all.
Picked up the Scream Factory DEVIL RIDES OUT based on your recommendation. So far have only watched the Kim Newman talk thus far (I always end up having to watch those a second time because the initial viewing consists of me trying to decipher the titles of the books on his shelves). I agree with you that HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES is one of the best Holmes films.
Haha totally agreed on the Kim Newman shelf hunting. The Shout release is the only good version in the world in terms of the US source scan with good image, mono and original effects which aren’t anywhere else.
Hound incredibly well done and becomes a title to continually return to.
This Halloween I explored Hammer Films! so many good films, great stuff!!
Great list! I don’t feel qualified enough to make my own as I still haven’t seen all the Hammer films yet; but I am in complete agreement with your placement of those I have. I did order six of Shout’s Hammer releases in their October “sale” ( which will all be first time viewings), and Revenge of Frankenstein is currently flying over the Atlantic to me courtesy of Indicator. I may just pick up that Mill Creek 20-film set on the cheap too. I know it’s not the best, but I just want to see all of those other Hammer titles.
There’s one or two exclusive to the mill creek set to date but they reused dvd era masters on most everything like their standalone bluray double feature discs. I’m hoping Indicator comes out with move boxset volumes.
Thanks for doing these, I'm horribly ignorant on Hammer and Universal so I will check these out.
A W E S O M E video ! Thanks so much from Norway.
Good stuff, great choices.
Good stuff. I do wish that the transfer of "Horror of Dracula" wasn't quite so dark as the blacks crush in more than a few places.
I enjoyed your very interesting analysis. I would, however, have had rather more Dracula in my top 10. In particular, my top 5 would have to include Dracula, Prince of Darkness and Brides of Dracula.
have you done a top 10 Amicus productions as well?
I've always meant to delve more deeply into Amicus. I need to do that.
Good list.
Video posted in the British Indicator thread.
I have that Curse of Frankenstein. It’s not cheap. $37 Canadian on Amazon.
New drinking game, take a shot every time you hear the words "gallows humor." 😉
heres mine
1.The Devil Rides Out
2.Dracula
3.Rasputin The Mad Monk
7.Dracula Prince of Darkness
5.The Mummy
6.Plague of Zombies
4.The Gorgon.
8.Curse of Frankenstein
9.The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll
10.Frankenstein Created Woman
IV been buying studio canal hammer films seen the witches , devil rides out , loved 😍 both witches transfer looked amazing 😍 ( I do have a 4 k player and 4k oled though , also hammer house of horror series by network beautiful transfer on Blu-ray 📀👏🎬
I love hammer films, and have seen many of their horror films , but, still have not seen them all . With the many I have seen, I could never ever puck a top 10. One reason I would probably like many of the films I have yet to see. Just my take , but, picking , a top 10 best makes no sense to me. Way too many great movies would be left off. Like saying a top 10 Beatles song, just impossible.
Oh, I definitely agree. This was just more of a challenge I gave myself and suggestions for newcomers than anything.
@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader one problem with making a top 10 list is that it will change, the next day or a couple of weeks. Simply because we think twice or sometimes not always sure especially when most of the movies are so close to call the best.
I HATE THESE GUYS WHO TALK AND TALK AND DON'T SHOW WHAT PEOPLE WANT. EGO EGO EGO. AWFUL. HAYE IT😢😢😢😂😂
I timestamped each and every choice I made specifically so people could just directly go to that section if they wished.
Perfect summary there , excellent content