Disc Reviews

Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell Blu-Ray Review

• 20th Apr 2014

Growing up I spent hours watching Hammer Horror films, getting sucked into the gothic beauty and over the top story lines. I’m sure this is what got me hooked on horror films. Sitting down to watch Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell on blu-ray and seeing Peter Cushing on the screen made me remember why I loved Hammer films.

Dr Simon Helder (Shane Briant) is convicted of bodysnatching and using the cadavers body parts for his research. He is sentenced to five years in the insane asylum. While there he soon recognizes the asylums doctor as Baron Von Frankenstein (Peter Cushing). Frankenstein has been hiding out, continuing his research in the reanimation of corpses. Noticing Helder’s surgical skills, he enlists him under false pretenses. Frankenstein has ideas for a new creation, and where else is the perfect place for him to work? An asylum where the inmates are locked away and forgotten about, soon he will gather the organs and body parts of the criminals and mad men in his care.

This is the last of Hammer’s Frankenstein films, Peter Cushing’s sixth and final performance as Baron Von Frankenstein (performing his own stunts) and the final feature film directed by Terence Fisher. And as you watch it you know that this film truly is the end of Hammers beautiful gothic stage. There are familiar faces scattered throughout the film (David Prowse, Patrick Troughton, Madeline Smith, Bernard Lee) and that ‘Hammer’ look is always there. We are also treated to, special features including; The Making Of, a documentary on Terence Fisher, an animated stills gallery and audio commentary with Marcus Hearn, Shane Briant and Madeline Smith. All of these offer an insight into the filming and production of the movie.

Watching this film on Blu-Ray ands a new feeling and dimension to the film. Previously censored scenes have been restored and the picture is amazingly clear. Yes the monster is a little ropey, the replica models are more noticeable but the colours are vibrant, the picture bright, the cast are immersed in their roles and its a fantastic final chapter to the end of a Hammer era. With the Hammer films being rereleased on Blu-Ray we have more treats to look forward to, and we can relive those first moments of film that made us fall in love with horror. The Hammer films will always be a part of our history – and with these Blu-Ray releases they are here to stay, and hopefully new there for new generations of genre fans to see.

 Sian Richter