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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (August 2025): Kino have transferred Enrique López Eguiluz's Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror to Blu-ray. The Kino Cult Blu-ray presents the film in a newly mastered 4K transfer from 35mm elements of the compromised U.S. release cut, meticulously restored by the 3-D Film Archive despite some decomposition issues in the source material. There are three viewing options: a stereoscopic 3-D version requiring compatible equipment, an anaglyph 3-D version with included red/green glasses, and a standard 2-D flat version, all housed on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc. The Prologue of Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror was shown in Flicker Alley's Blu-ray of 3-D Rarities, Volume II, reviewed HERE. There remain inherent limitations without access to the original negative, however the 3-D presentation stands out as the strongest, with more vibrant colors compared to the flatter tones in alternate digital versions; overall, the visuals, albeit varying and occasionally muddy, capture the film's gothic atmosphere effectively - lighting effects, including eerie colored gels and shadow play in catacombs, heighten the ambience. Jose Luis Ruiz's werewolf makeup is particularly praised, appearing gruesome and detailed with fur, fangs, and snarling features that hold up well, even if the transformation sequences - achieved through dissolves and close-ups - are somewhat dated and laughable by today's metrics. Gore elements, such as vicious attacks and hints of sleaze, add to the visual intensity, with some scenes rated as "pretty gory" for a PG-equivalent film. The overall production design leans into classic monster movie tropes, with gothic castles and sylvan night settings providing a superb European flair, despite occasional blurriness in this 1080P. Notably, the movie was originally captured in 3D, a rarity for the era, which would have amplified depth in scenes like werewolf attacks in dark forests or ballet-like escapes across misty hills, though most modern viewings are generally in flat 2D. 

NOTE: We have added 68 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the English DUB. The range is understandably limited given the source, but it handles the eerie score by Ángel Arteaga (Cross of the Devil, Trauma, Naschy's The Devil Incarnate and The Fury of the Wolfman,) and ambient effects like howls and creaks without distortion or notable flaws, ensuring dialogue remains clear amid the gothic horror elements. This mono track complements the visual restoration, providing a functional auditory experience that enhances the cult appeal without modern enhancements that could alter the original intent. Both creepy and effective, the music draws from traditional horror motifs, with orchestral swells and ambient cues that enhance gothic sequences like werewolf hunts or vampire seductions, setting it apart from later entries in the Daninsky series. Overall, the soundtrack is integral to the film's impact, providing a "discordantly tranquilizing" quality in key moments, though remastering issues in some releases have led to complaints about faded or metallic audio in degraded copies. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray extras package is robust for a cult title, featuring two audio commentaries - one by novelist and critic Tim Lucas (Throat Sprockets,) and another by film historians Troy Howarth, Troy Guinn, and Rodney Barnett - offering in-depth insights into the film's production, Naschy's legacy, and horror genre context. Tim Lucas' commentary has depth and engagement. His style is analytical and informative, drawing on his extensive knowledge of cult cinema to provide context on the film's production, its place in Spanish horror history, and technical aspects like the 3D photography. Notable insights include discussions on the animated U.S. prologue - potentially added around 2015, though this is debated - and the challenges of the film's restoration, which he expands upon in the accompanying 25-minute featurette "About the 3-D Restoration," highlighting limitations due to decomposed source materials. It is compelling enough to warrant a second listen. Lucas's track adds scholarly value without overwhelming the viewer. The second, group, commentary brings together film historians Troy Howarth (author of "Human Beasts: The Films of Paul Naschy"), and podcasters Troy Guinn and Rodney Barnett (hosts of the NaschyCast, a dedicated Paul Naschy-focused podcast), offering a collaborative, enthusiast-driven perspective on the film's significance. Their style is conversational and lively, akin to a podcast episode, focusing on Naschy's debut as Waldemar Daninsky, the film's role in launching the long-running werewolf series, and its influences from Universal and Hammer horrors. There are production anecdotes, details on Naschy's writing contributions, and the cultural impact of Spanish horror in the 1960s. Overall, both are celebrated as impressive, informative complements for Naschy devotees. Additional supplements include the 25 minute featurette "About the 3-D Restoration" by Lucas, an alternate opening title sequence titled Hell’s Creatures, plus nine deleted scenes (1/4 hour) with explanatory text:

"When Frankenstein's Bloody Terror was released in the U.S., the first reel of the European version was essentially removed. Some of the footage was edited into a prologue, with voice-over narration. What follows is the original opening reel of the film.
In addition to the removal of the opening reel, several smaller edits were made to shorten the running time. The following are examples of these minor trims.",

There is a theatrical trailer and three radio spots. The set also comes with reversible cover art (see below,) a slipcover for the first pressing, and the aforementioned glasses, making it a comprehensive collector's edition.

Enrique López Eguiluz's Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror marks Paul Naschy's debut as the tormented werewolf Waldemar Daninsky, a character he would reprise in over a dozen films; ex. The Werewolf Versus the Vampire Woman, The Fury of the Wolfman, The Beast and the Magic Sword, Dr. Jekyll vs. The Werewolf, Curse of the Devil, Assignment Terror, Werewolf Shadow, Night of the Werewolf, establishing him as a cornerstone of Spanish horror cinema. The film's English title was a marketing ploy by U.S. distributor Independent International, who added a brief animated prologue linking the fictional "Wolfstein" family to Frankenstein to fulfill a contractual obligation for a Frankenstein-themed movie, despite the absence of any such creature in the story. Shot in 70mm with 3D photography, it draws heavily from Universal's classic monster films like The Wolf Man (1941) and Hammer Studios' atmospheric gothics, blending werewolf lore with vampiric elements in a low-budget yet visually ambitious production. The plot shifts from werewolf horror to a vampire seduction subplot, culminating in a supernatural clash where Waldemar, in werewolf form, confronts the vampires in a bid to save his loved ones. At its core, the film explores the tragedy of transformation and the inescapability of curses, portraying lycanthropy not merely as a monstrous affliction but as a metaphor for loss of control and inner torment. Waldemar's plight echoes the pathos of Lon Chaney Jr.'s Larry Talbot, emphasizing empathy for the monster who dreads his violent urges yet cannot escape them. Themes of doomed romance permeate the narrative, with Waldemar's love for Janice complicated by his curse, reflecting a recurring motif in Naschy's work: the monster's yearning for human connection despite inevitable destruction. Overall, Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror endures as a testament to Naschy's passion, blending nostalgia with camp, and remains essential for understanding 1960s international horror. This Kino Cult Blu-ray (their 35th)marks the definitive home media release for Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror, Paul Naschy's debut as the werewolf Waldemar Daninsky, blending gothic horror tropes in a story of curses, vampires, and supernatural clashes. Despite some source material limitations, the 3-D restoration and thoughtful extras elevate it as a must-have for Eurohorror fans appealing to both newcomers and devotees of Naschy's enduring monster saga.

Gary Tooze