NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Second Sight Blu-ray (July 2022): Second Sight have transferred Terence Fisher's Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell to Blu-ray. This is the UK cut (longer) of the film - the 1.85:1 2020 Shout! Factory Blu-ray was the US version that was 1.5-minutes shorter. Second Sight include both "UK theatrical aspect ratio 1.66:1 and alternative full frame1.37:1". The US ratio has a lot of information missing in comparison to the UK 1.66:1. The Shout! was always very dark and green and I prefer this new Second Run - who's colors match with the 1080i Shock but the image is crisper and has superior contrast. It has frequent depth on my system. Yes, this new 1080P is the best of the three, imo. 

NOTE: We have added 64 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Second Sight use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is authentically flat with the effective score by frequent Hammer composer James Bernard (The Stranglers of Bombay, The Devil Rides Out, The Plague of the Zombies, Dracula Prince of Darkness, These Are the Damned, Across the Bridge, The Curse of Frankenstein). It sounds excellent in the uncompressed transfer. Second Sight offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Second Sight Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Kat Ellinger. She discusses her love for the later Hammers, she quotes director Terence Fisher, addresses the recent death of Shane Briant (May 2021), praises Canadian-born effects artist Les Bowie and the monster himself, David Prowse, she talks of Hammer's incomplete project; a bio-pic of Bram Stoker proposed for Briant, earlier drafts of the script (Wayne Kinsey's Hammer Books) and much more. She has thoroughly researched Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell and references many horrors that would come before and after. Also included is the older commentary with Marcus Hearn and, stars from the film, Madeline Smith + Shane Briant who add nice flavor recalling the production, Cushing and Fisher. Like the Shock this includes the 25-minute "making of"; Taking Over the Asylum piece filled with input and a 13-minute piece on the director; Charming Evil: Terence Fisher at Hammer. Lastly, is a lengthy stills gallery and the package offers a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Graham Humphreys and includes a soft cover book with new essays by Kevin Lyons, Kelly Robinson and Emma Westwood plus production stills plus 5 collectors' art cards (see image below.)

Terence Fisher's Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell is lesser but lovable Hammer. It's lower budget with weak effects (the asylum form the outside is a poor, small, model, the monster and limited laboratory.) Positives - it has Cushing and some surprising gore (eyeballs!) with many of the conventions that we appreciate from the studio.   The Second Sight Blu-ray is easily the best digital version - with the longer UK cut - choice of ratios, two commentaries (including a new one,) featurettes plus the handsome case and booklet. I could watch this one at any time - lost of nostalgia, Cushing as Frankenstein and the Hammer charm that we love. Certainly recommended!

***

ADDITION: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (August 2020): Shout! Factory have transferred Terence Fisher's Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell to Blu-ray. This is the US , 1.85:1, cut - shortened by about 1.5 minutes -  as released by Paramount (starting with that logo) and we can see the information lost from the 1.66:1 1080i transfer from Shock Blu-ray out of Australia. It is quite a lot. The Shout! Factory image is darker with cooler skin tones. It has a bit of a grey cast but detail rises substantially over the sloppy Australian transfer from over 7 years ago. I wouldn't say the Shout! looks stellar by any stretch but it is the better of the two and probably subject to the available print as it does have a max'ed out bitrate (albeit more of their flat line renderings.).

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Shout! Factory Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Shout! Factory use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It advances on the laboratory effects from the 16-bit Shock- this is notable as well in the score by frequent Hammer composer James Bernard (The Stranglers of Bombay, The Devil Rides Out, The Plague of the Zombies, Dracula Prince of Darkness, These Are the Damned, Across the Bridge, The Curse of Frankenstein). The audio quality is consistent and supportive. Shout! Factory offer optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Shout! Factory Blu-ray sports a new audio commentary with Film historian / author Steve Haberman and film historian / filmmaker Constantine Nasr who are immersed in the studio's work and can relate plenty of information on the production, Cushing, the story 'in purgatory' and the Baron's eventual descent into hell. They discuss the Asylum Director's (John Stratton) perversities and evil as well as it being the last Frankenstein Hammer effort from Terence Fisher and Peter Cushing - their respective health issues, the lack of sexuality, it being the goriest of its type and much more. There is also an older commentary option with actress Madeline Smith, actor David Prowse, and film historian Jonathan Sothcott where Smith relates an amusing story about her bosom size for The Vampire Lovers and some talk about Cushing at the time of filming. It is also informative and worth the indulgence. There is a new 1/4 hour "The Men Who Made Hammer: Roy Skeggs" talking about the prodigious producer for the studio. There is also a theatrical trailer and 3 radio spots.

Thanks to the commentaries I appreciated Terence Fisher's Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell even more. I always liked it as another gothic Hammer gem and Cushing is a huge plus. This is a highly entertaining one - no question, but it's a shame they didn't include the full UK cut. It's a film I am very happy to own on a progressively transferred Blu-ray with improved audio and the valuable supplements. Certainly recommended to fans of the genre and Hammer Studio lovers.

***

ON THE SHOCK Blu-ray (April 2014): Firstly, this is the Australian Blu-ray version and we hope to compare it to the UK edition when it is released. Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell gets a 1080i transfer to Blu-ray from Shock. This seems supported by the shorter running time (25 fps as opposed to 24 fps). It is dual-layered with a high bitrate and looked okay on my 60" system. It has some inconsistency. Colors perk-up but I am keen to see the Icon release out of the UK. Contrast appears adept adding some minor depth in the 1.66:1 frame. I wasn't overly disappointed in the appearance despite being interlaced.

Shock utilize a linear PCM mono track at 1536 kbps. It is clear, flat but has a bit of punch. India-born James Bernard score adds to the creepy atmosphere and benefits from the lossless transfer. There are optional English subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE - playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide. We should note that we don't yet know whether the UK Blu-ray will be region 'B' or region 'A'.

Pretty good extras too - a commentary by Marcus Hearn with, stars from the film, Madeline Smith + Shane Briant who add nice flavor. It was decent to add some appreciation. There is a 25-minute Making of... and a glossed-over but informative 13-minute piece on director Terence Fischer. There is also a DVD of the feature included. I understand the upcoming UK Blu-ray duplicates these supplements.

Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell's most redeeming feature is Cushing. But even as a lesser Hammer - it can be enjoyed. The Shock Blu-ray provides a decent a/v presentation, despite being 1080i and includes valuable supplements. I suspect that the Icon Entertainment release in the UK will be equal-to or superior, probably being progressive - but we will see.  

Gary Tooze