Hammer Horror Collection (MRA Entertainment)
MRA / Hammer Films : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-5 : PAL : 1971 : 84 mins, 85 mins, 83 mins
The Film
This is the second box set of Hammer films. The first being the Warner release of the original Frankenstein, Dracula and Mummy films. The Warner release showed Hammer at the beginning of it's reign as horror king. This new boxset, from budget outfit MRA, finds Hammer at the end of it's reign. The three films, Vampire Circus, Hands of the Ripper and Twins of Evil, show that Hammer was not going to go down without a fight. Vampire Circus breathes new life into the vampire myth, while also including some of the more gory violence that Hammer's competiters were using. A strong entry into a dying cycle. Hands of the Ripper is one of the top three Ripper based films, the others being Bob Clarke's Murder by Decree, and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. Intelligent, and carefully directed by Peter Sasdy. The last in the box is Twins of Evil, the last of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy. While Peter Cushing is as strong as ever, this is the weakest of the trilogy, and the weakest in the box. All-in-all, a great collection, especially as it is a snap-shot of Hammer at a point in time (all three films were made is 1971).
The DVD
All three disks have been sourced from pretty clean material. The audio is functional, and allows Hammer's usual bombastic soundtrack enough room to move. Given the originals were mono, who is to complain. The colour is good and even throughout. Hands of the ripper is perhaps a little soft, but this is preferable to it being over sharpened. Grain is reasonable for the time. Each disk has a trailer for the film included.
This release shows that a budget outfit can deliver the goods. MRA Entertainment should be proud of what they have done here, and Force Entertainment should sit up and take notice.
Film : 4 / 5 DVD : 4 / 5
The Film
This is the second box set of Hammer films. The first being the Warner release of the original Frankenstein, Dracula and Mummy films. The Warner release showed Hammer at the beginning of it's reign as horror king. This new boxset, from budget outfit MRA, finds Hammer at the end of it's reign. The three films, Vampire Circus, Hands of the Ripper and Twins of Evil, show that Hammer was not going to go down without a fight. Vampire Circus breathes new life into the vampire myth, while also including some of the more gory violence that Hammer's competiters were using. A strong entry into a dying cycle. Hands of the Ripper is one of the top three Ripper based films, the others being Bob Clarke's Murder by Decree, and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. Intelligent, and carefully directed by Peter Sasdy. The last in the box is Twins of Evil, the last of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy. While Peter Cushing is as strong as ever, this is the weakest of the trilogy, and the weakest in the box. All-in-all, a great collection, especially as it is a snap-shot of Hammer at a point in time (all three films were made is 1971).
The DVD
All three disks have been sourced from pretty clean material. The audio is functional, and allows Hammer's usual bombastic soundtrack enough room to move. Given the originals were mono, who is to complain. The colour is good and even throughout. Hands of the ripper is perhaps a little soft, but this is preferable to it being over sharpened. Grain is reasonable for the time. Each disk has a trailer for the film included.
This release shows that a budget outfit can deliver the goods. MRA Entertainment should be proud of what they have done here, and Force Entertainment should sit up and take notice.
Film : 4 / 5 DVD : 4 / 5
posted by Gunslinger at 16:53
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