Top 8 Hammer Films

The Woman in Black set for release from 10th of February

While British audiences continue to enjoy The Woman in Black on stage, horror institution Hammer Films alongside Momentum Pictures is releasing the theatrical version from the 10th of February. Directed by James Watkins, written by Jane Goldman, and starring Daniel Radcliffe the film-version of this horror classic is set to frighten and disturb audiences all over the world. Here, let’s take a look back at some of the classic Hammer horror films that laid the pavement for British horror stories.

Dracula (1958)

One of the most iconic vampire films ever made, Hammer's first foray into vampire lore has become one of the most recognisable and famous of the cinematic adaptations of Stoker's novel.  Hammer made seven sequels, and as explicit as the censors would allow in the day, Dracula was a groundbreaking and subversive punctuation in the neck of horror cinema. And not mention Van Helsing's memorable trick with the cross improvised from candlesticks.

The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Based on a Dennis Wheatley novel, Hammer's first foray into the realm of satanism proves to be a thoughtful and serious attempts to realistically portray the practice of magic. Containing large doses of action and horror, the film is a constant battle of wits between good and evil resulting in a satanic tour de force wherein the heroes must survive a night of devilish oppression by satanic followers, a giant tarantula and the Devil himself atop a hellish steed. The Devil Rides Out remains a genuinely chilling occult thriller, even after more than four decades.

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Curse provides the perfect pairing of the dream team – Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. While Americans were under attack from wild teenagers and atomic monsters, the Brits usher in the return of gothic horror (and in graphic color, no less) with this indisputable masterstroke.  The role of the duplicitous and brutal Baron is played masterfully by Cushing and Christopher Lee as the creature is shocking and brilliant.

Curse of the Werewolf (1960)

Considering the main focus of the movie resulted from a rape of a mute servant girl by a half man, half animal beggar, the censors objected to the visualization of both bare flesh and fangs onscreen simultaneously. Leon’s only hope for redemption is true love, and we all know it’s not easy finding a girl who will put up with his type of moonlighting.  Excellent performances, especially from Reed, help to make this a fascinating character study that shares little in common with most of its counterparts - aside from the requisite silver bullets.

The Mummy (1959)

Hammer's first stab at the shuffling Egyptian shambler sees Chris Lee undertake the role of the creature again and plays him as a far more pitiable monster and one that moves in a more hasty fashion. The story is essentially the same as the Universal entries only with the addition of color and some brutal violence some of which was trimmed before the film was released.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

Not completely horror, but close enough. This Sherlock Holmes entry contains enough elements of dread and terror to qualify as a horror film. Peter Cushing truly delivers a whole heartedly memorable performance rife with self assurance and witty banter. A classic since the 1980s, this brilliant series can still be timelessly enjoyed today. A most unusual Hammer film, it would be the company's only Sherlock Holmes picture.

Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)

You know what a great idea would be? To retell the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde, only instead of turning into a child-beating monster, Jekyll would turn into a hot and murderous lady who liked to wear halter tops all over Victorian England! A gender switching storyline lends the film some relevance and Ralph Bates shines as Dr. Jekyll who not only battles with leading something of a normal existence, but also with suppressing the murderous tendencies of Hyde, his evil half, here played with sexual glee by Martine Beswick.

Quartermass and the Pit (1968)

Hammer had already enjoyed success with two Quatermass films (in 1955 and 1957), based on the BBC TV serial, and returned to the sci-fi subject a decade later, with Andrew Keir as the subversive scientist of the title. Here he gets involved with an excavation in a London Underground station, where he uncovers evidence of an alien spaceship and ancient satanic powers. It's a tense film, with an unrelenting pace and plenty of suspense.

The Woman In Black gets a release date

After quite a lack luster comeback film with The Resident, Hammer Films has just released this great press release. They are seeming to have a "slow and steady" idea for releasing films to Cinemas.  This one stars Harry Potter himself and as you can see from the below image he gets a chance to wield an axe. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the trailer that IGN have been hosting

10 April 2011, London, UK – Momentum Pictures, an Alliance Films company, are proud to announce that the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of THE WOMAN IN BLACK will be released in UK cinemas on 10 February 2012.

Based on the classic ghost story, THE WOMAN IN BLACK tells the tale of Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a lawyer who is forced to leave his young son and travel to a remote village to attend to the affairs of the recently deceased owner of Eel Marsh House.

Working alone in the old mansion, Kipps begins to uncover the town’s tragic and tortured secrets and his fears escalate when he discovers that local children have been dying under mysterious circumstances. When those closest to him become threatened by the vengeful woman in black, Kipps must find a way to break the cycle of terror.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK also stars Ciaran Hinds (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY) and Janet McTeer (TUMBLEWEEDS), was adapted from Susan Hill’s novel for the screen by Jane Goldman (KICK ASS) and directed by James Watkins (EDEN LAKE).

Released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland February 10, 2012

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ABOUT HAMMER FILMS
Originally founded in 1934, beloved British film studio Hammer has delivered a hugely successful run of films over the years including Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein and The Quatermass Xperiment. The company is now a London based production subsidiary of Exclusive Media Group (Exclusive) who are working to reinvigorate this famous English film brand through new investment in the development and production of film, television and digital-platform content.

Not in production since the 1980’s, the company marked their come back last year with the launch of the critically acclaimed Let Me In starring Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road), an adaptation of the highly acclaimed Swedish film, Let the Right One In.

Hammer’s latest release will be the highly anticipated adaptation of The Woman in Black directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake), written by Jane Goldman (Kick Ass) and starring Daniel Radcliffe in his first role since the Harry Potter series. Further Hammer releases have included Antti Jokinen’s The Resident starring two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and Wake Wood directed by David Keating.

Hammer is back!

It's great to see such a well known name in horror back, even if it's just producing, films. It even stars one of Hammer's stalwart, the great Christopher Lee! Icon, the distributor, has released a couple of images and the trailer. The trailer makes it feel something like the 1992 film, Single White Female.

Produced by Hammer Films and starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank(Million Dollar Baby, Amelia), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen, The Losers) and Hammer veteran Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars)

Every year, several million single women in America move into an apartment. They don’t know who lived in the apartment before them, they don’t know their landlords, and they don’t bother to change the locks.

This is the story of one such woman...

After separating from her adulterous husband, the beautiful and young Dr. Juliet Devereau (Hilary Swank) moves to Brooklyn, NY and settles into a new life in a stunning and spacious loft apartment that seems too good to be true. Mysterious occurrences lead her to suspect she is not alone in her home and quickly her fears become all too real. In a chilling revelation, she discovers her seemingly charming, young landlord, Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), has developed a dangerous obsession with her. Unknown to both of them, Max suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. A terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues as Juliet is forced to fight and free herself from Max’s increasingly sinister intentions.

The film is set for release on March 11, 2011.