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Hammer Horror Classics Volume 1 [Blu-ray]

 

                 The Mummy (1959)                         Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

                            

 Frankenstein Must be Destroyed (1969)                          Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)

 

Hammer's The Mummy (1959) Blu-rays are also compared HERE with the 2022 Second Sight (UK)

 

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is being released on Blu-ray in March 2024 HERE

 

 

THE MUMMY: Christopher Lee wraps on the moldy gauze bandages to become the tormented Kharis, an avenger stalking the hills of Victorian England to track down desecrators of his beloved's Egyptian tomb.

FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED: Peter Cushing is Baron Frankenstein, whose experiment has gone dead wrong in Hammer Studios' fifth Frankenstein saga. Featuring Freddie Jones as the scientist's pitiable new creation.

DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE: Playing Bram Stoker's infamous vampire for the third time, Christopher Lee goes fang-to-cross with the forces of good in this atmospheric, stylish film, in which each night brings the threat of death.

TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA: This entry in Hammer Studios' cycle of hemogobbling Victorian-era horror showcases why Hammer became the name in Gothic terror. Christopher Lee again dons his cape to become Evil Incarnate.

 

Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

 

Distribution

Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Subtitles

English (SDH), French, Spanish, Japanese,  None (NOTE: Taste and Dracula has Risen also offer German)

Features

Release Information:
Studio: Warner

Edition Details:


The Mummy
• Trailer (2:26)

Dracula Has Risen From the Grave
• Trailer (2:29)

 

Frankenstein Must be Destroyed
• Trailer (2:39)

 

Taste The Blood of Dracula
• Trailer (2:26)

Blu-ray Release Date: October 6th, 2015

 

Blu-ray Package

 

 

Comments:

Hammer's The Mummy (1959) Blu-rays are also compared HERE with the 2022 Second Sight (UK)

 

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is being released on Blu-ray in March 2024 HERE

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

Firstly, the 4 films are on their own separate Blu-ray discs and are available individually:

Disc 1) The Mummy (in 1.66:1)

Disc 2) Frankenstein Must be Destroyed (1:78)

Disc 3) Taste The Blood of Dracula (1:78)

Disc 4) Dracula has Risen From the Grave (1:78)

For Hammer fans this Warner Boxset is like human cat-nip.

Firstly, we have fully reviewed the 'Region B' Icon Entertainment Blu-ray of The Mummy HERE. It offers both 1.66:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratios and a commentary by Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby. But The Mummy in this Warner Boxset is 1.66:1 (only ratio available) and slightly more robust and I might give it a small edge in image quality - mostly noticeable in contrast. Otherwise the two The Mummy transfers are quite similar. As the films get more recent, the image quality improves and they all look quite pleasing in 1080P. Colors, detail and contrast advancing upon the older SD renderings of the past. All seem fairly clean - no speckles or damage and they maintain their dark edge without getting un-authentically bright. I saw no noise.

All transfers are single-layered (actually Frankenstein Must be Destroyed sneaks into dual-layered territory and has the highest bitrate.) Each disc is region FREE with lossless, DTS-HD Master 1.0 channel mono, audio offering a few foreign-language DUBs and subtitles. They are all region FREE - playable on Blu-ray machines anywhere in the world. All are scored by James Bernard except The Mummy which has music composed by Franz Reizenstein. India-born, Hammer regular, James Bernard's (The Devil Rides Out, The Plague of the Zombies, Dracula Prince of Darkness, These Are the Damned, Across the Bridge, The Curse of Frankenstein) scores adds a wonderful, haunting, atmosphere and definitely benefits from the lossless transfers.

Unfortunately, the only extras are trailers for each film. The package is a sturdy book-style box and is quite nice. I'd say the price seem reasonable to finally own some of these Hammer gems in HD. The package is the way to go - saving upon buying them individually. I was in Hammer heaven and I can't wait to play them for my sons over the next few nights. We give it a very strong recommendation!  

Gary W. Tooze

 

 


Sample Menus


 

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 (Terence Fisher, 1959)

 

Hammer The Mummy (1959) Blu-rays are also compared HERE with the 2022 Second Sight (UK)

 

 

Posters

 

 

While on a dig in Egypt, British archaeologist John Banning (Peter Cushing) desecrates the tomb of Princess Ananka, awakening her mummified lover (Christopher Lee). With revenge on his mind, the mummy follows Banning and the rest of his group back to England, but becomes quite taken with Banning's wife (Yvonne Furneaux), who resembles the princess quite closely.

***

One by one the archaeologists who discover the 4,000-year-old tomb of Princess Ananka are brutally murdered. Kharis (Lee), high priest in Egypt 40 centuries ago, has been brought to life by the power of the ancient gods and his sole purpose is to destroy those responsible for the desecration of the sacred tomb. But Isobel Banning (Furneaux), wife of one of the explorers (Cushing), resembles the beautiful princess, forcing the speechless and tormented monster to defy commands and abduct Isobel to an unknown fate... Starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in their iconic roles in the 3rd Hammer Horror film from 1959.

 

 

 

Icon Entertainment Blu-ray Bitrate:
Warner Blu-ray Bitrate:

  Icon Home Entertainment (Region B) Warner - Region FREE

Runtime:

1:27:59.750

1:27:57.313

Disc Size:

46,297,116,985 bytes

22,591,116,455 bytes

Feature Size:

19,066,208,256 bytes

21,922,879,488 bytes

Video Bitrate:

24.99 Mbps

29.85 Mbps

Chapters:

12

25

Audio:

LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 823 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 823 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48  kHz /768 kbps / 24-bit)
DUBs:

Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
 

1) Icon Home Entertainment (1.66:1) - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Icon Home Entertainment (1.33:1) - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Icon Home Entertainment - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


(Freddie Francis, 1968)

 

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is being released on Blu-ray in March 2024 HERE

 

Posters

 

 

 

When a young girl is found hanging in the local church with fang marks in her neck, the townsfolk immediately suspect Dracula (Christopher Lee) is behind the evil deed. Although he has supposedly been dead for quite some time, the vile vampire is the prime suspect. The Monsignor (Rupert Davies) is called in to exorcise the local castle where Dracula once lived. The diabolical Dracula forces the holy man's assistant to help him in his thirst for blood. His next victim is the Monsignor's niece, who works at the local pub. The prince of darkness meets his demise when he is impaled on a crucifix -- at least until he can find another script that he and his agent can agree on.

 

 

Bitrate:

Runtime:

1:32:11.526

Disc Size:

24,002,236,366 bytes

Feature Size:

23,323,047,936 bytes

Video Bitrate:

29.94 Mbps

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1036 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1036 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DUBs:

Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio German 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 (Terence Fisher, 1959)

 

Posters

 

 

 

The key image of this film occurs early on, as a hideous monster removes its face, only to reveal itself as Baron Frankenstein in a mask. Hammer's fifth installment in the series sees the transformation of doctor into monster complete. Peter Cushing's portrayal of the Baron here is all insanity and hatred, rather than the misunderstood (if unethical) genius of previous entries. Frankenstein transplants the brain of an insane doctor into Freddie Jones' body, creating a pathetic, misshapen beast, while using blackmail and rape to control the people around him. This was director Terence Fisher's favorite film, and his pacing and composition have rarely been better. Jones (the nasty showman in The Elephant Man) is great at communicating the disorientation and helpless agony of his condition, and while Cushing's character is more one-dimensional than usual, he does his normal excellent job as the Baron. Hammer's next installment was the silly Horror of Frankenstein bef.ore Fisher returned to end the series with Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.

 

 

Bitrate:

Runtime:

1:40:42.619

Disc Size:

27,572,504,442 bytes

Feature Size:

26,853,986,304 bytes

Video Bitrate:

31.93 Mbps

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1040 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1040 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 /
48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DUBs:

Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

(Peter Sasdy, 1970)

Posters

 

 

One of the more accomplished entries in Hammer's Dracula series (which would soon lapse into creative anemia during the 1970s), this fourth installment finds Christopher Lee in top form as the Count, who returns to menacing life after three middle-aged swingers decide to dabble in black magic to bolster their sagging sex lives. Dracula is reborn when the trio's blood-drinking rituals lead to the destruction of his devil-worshipping colleague Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates), whereupon the Count unleashes his deadly wrath on those responsible, even involving members of their families in his scheme of revenge, which culminates in a dramatic finale in a recently reconstructed cathedral. Fine direction from Hammer regular Peter Sasdy enlivens a middling script, and an early appearance from the lovely Linda Hayden (later to star in the eerie Blood on Satan's Claw) is a definite plus.

 

 

Bitrate:

Runtime:

1:35:11.455

Disc Size:

24,779,668,201 bytes

Feature Size:

24,097,972,224 bytes

Video Bitrate:

29.93 Mbps

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1045 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1045 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DUBs:

Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio German 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

 

Distribution

Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 



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