Horror fans are in for a treat this October, when Hammer classic The Curse of Frankenstein makes its worldwide 4K UHD debut in a lavish six-disc Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set, remastered from the best surviving elements.
When The Curse of Frankenstein first opened in theatres in 1957, it scandalised critics and thrilled audiences in equal measure. Hammer’s decision to bring Mary Shelley’s Modern Prometheus to life in vivid Eastmancolor was a gamble that transformed horror cinema. For the first time, blood was vividly red, and flesh alarmingly realistic. Its ‘X’ certificate seemed well deserved.
Unlike James Whale’s atmospheric 1931 take, this was a bolder, bloodier, and far more visceral experience.
Director Terence Fisher’s deliberately static staging and Jack Asher’s artful cinematography gave the film an eerie elegance that still mesmerises today. The sets were lavish, the costumes grand.
The movie laid the groundwork for the Hammer signature style – lush, lurid, and unapologetically sensational. It also cemented one of cinema’s great partnerships.
Peter Cushing’s icy, obsessive Baron Frankenstein, and Christopher Lee’s tragic, wordless creature, ushered in a double act that would define British genre cinema for the next two decades.
It was bolder, bloodier, and far more visceral experience, effectively redefining Gothic horror…
A restoration worthy of a legend
For its UHD debut, the film will be presented in three aspect ratios – UK theatrical (1.66:1), US theatrical (1.85:1), and as-filmed open matte (1.37:1) – with both a new 5.1 surround sound mix and the original mono track.
The set features the longest version of the film known to exist, complete with infamous ‘eyeball’ sequence.
During one of Baron Frankenstein’s gruesome experiments, there’s a close-up of a severed eyeball, viewed through a magnifying glass. Its impact, in glorious colour, shocked audiences at the time. The shot was censored in the US theatrical release and was often missing from early VHS and DVD editions.
However, despite the BBFC having palpitations, the UK cinema print retained the offending peeper. A 2012 Lionsgate restoration of the film later reintroduced the sequence for all to see.
Gore hounds hoping to finally see an even more contentious sequence featuring a severed head being dissolved in acid remain out of luck, as no footage of that censored scene survives.
Inside the collector’s set
Beyond the film, the upcoming set offers a treasure trove for fans of Hammer and horror cinema. Highlights include Recreating the Creature, where Oscar-winning artist Dave Elsey revisits Phil Leakey’s iconic makeup design; a two-part tribute to wardrobe mistress Molly Arbuthnot; and a newly unearthed interview with cinematographer Jack Asher.
Writer Jimmy Sangster’s legacy is celebrated with commentary from Mark Gatiss and other Hammer experts.
There’s also a pilgrimage to Whitstable with actress Madeline Smith, reflecting on Peter Cushing’s personal life, and A Gothic History of Frankenstein, which traces the story from Shelley’s novel to Hammer’s defining adaptation.
For collectors, the boxset includes a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Greg Staples, a 168-page booklet, eight lobby card reproductions, and a reprint of the House of Hammer comic strip.
The sixth disc, exclusive to this edition, features the feature-length documentary Flesh and Blood, alongside rare audio outtakes and the ill-fated TV pilot Tales of Frankenstein.
The long shadow of Hammer
More than six decades on, The Curse of Frankenstein continues to cast a long shadow. Its influence can be felt in everything from Tim Burton’s gothic stylings to parodies on The Simpsons.
For those who grew up with late-night Hammer double bills, or for newcomers curious about the roots of contemporary horror, this new release looks to be an essential purchase.
The Curse of Frankenstein: Limited Collector’s Edition ships this October in the UK, with international versions from the Warner Archive Collection.
Early orders include limited extras ranging from signed photographs to facsimile premiere tickets. Pricing to be announced.
One of the more intrigung new whiskies to launch this month is Cù Bòcan Creation #9. The product of American virgin oak and Manzanilla sherry casks, it’s a sweet and sour treat notable both for its flavour profile and affordability. But what’s the deal with Cù Bòcan and the distillery behind the label? It turns…
Pusser’s Rum is bringing its founding recipe back to life with a limited-edition bottling inspired by the extraordinary story of its founder, Charles Tobias. The new Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition meticulously recreates the first rum blended by Tobias in 1979, the recipe that helped establish the brand’s reputation for characterful Caribbean rum. Founder’s…
Highland whisky innovator Cù Bòcan has launched the oldest whisky in its experimental Creations series to date, drawing inspiration from an unlikely source: sweet and salty popcorn. The new limited-edition Creation #9 combines lightly peated Highland single malt with a maturation programme designed to mirror the contrast of sweet and savoury notes found in everyone’s…
Horror fans are in for a treat this October, when Hammer classic The Curse of Frankenstein makes its worldwide 4K UHD debut in a lavish six-disc Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set, remastered from the best surviving elements.
When The Curse of Frankenstein first opened in theatres in 1957, it scandalised critics and thrilled audiences in equal measure. Hammer’s decision to bring Mary Shelley’s Modern Prometheus to life in vivid Eastmancolor was a gamble that transformed horror cinema. For the first time, blood was vividly red, and flesh alarmingly realistic. Its ‘X’ certificate seemed well deserved.
Unlike James Whale’s atmospheric 1931 take, this was a bolder, bloodier, and far more visceral experience.
Director Terence Fisher’s deliberately static staging and Jack Asher’s artful cinematography gave the film an eerie elegance that still mesmerises today. The sets were lavish, the costumes grand.
The movie laid the groundwork for the Hammer signature style – lush, lurid, and unapologetically sensational. It also cemented one of cinema’s great partnerships.
Peter Cushing’s icy, obsessive Baron Frankenstein, and Christopher Lee’s tragic, wordless creature, ushered in a double act that would define British genre cinema for the next two decades.
A restoration worthy of a legend
For its UHD debut, the film will be presented in three aspect ratios – UK theatrical (1.66:1), US theatrical (1.85:1), and as-filmed open matte (1.37:1) – with both a new 5.1 surround sound mix and the original mono track.
The set features the longest version of the film known to exist, complete with infamous ‘eyeball’ sequence.
During one of Baron Frankenstein’s gruesome experiments, there’s a close-up of a severed eyeball, viewed through a magnifying glass. Its impact, in glorious colour, shocked audiences at the time. The shot was censored in the US theatrical release and was often missing from early VHS and DVD editions.
However, despite the BBFC having palpitations, the UK cinema print retained the offending peeper. A 2012 Lionsgate restoration of the film later reintroduced the sequence for all to see.
Gore hounds hoping to finally see an even more contentious sequence featuring a severed head being dissolved in acid remain out of luck, as no footage of that censored scene survives.
Inside the collector’s set
Beyond the film, the upcoming set offers a treasure trove for fans of Hammer and horror cinema. Highlights include Recreating the Creature, where Oscar-winning artist Dave Elsey revisits Phil Leakey’s iconic makeup design; a two-part tribute to wardrobe mistress Molly Arbuthnot; and a newly unearthed interview with cinematographer Jack Asher.
Writer Jimmy Sangster’s legacy is celebrated with commentary from Mark Gatiss and other Hammer experts.
There’s also a pilgrimage to Whitstable with actress Madeline Smith, reflecting on Peter Cushing’s personal life, and A Gothic History of Frankenstein, which traces the story from Shelley’s novel to Hammer’s defining adaptation.
For collectors, the boxset includes a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Greg Staples, a 168-page booklet, eight lobby card reproductions, and a reprint of the House of Hammer comic strip.
The sixth disc, exclusive to this edition, features the feature-length documentary Flesh and Blood, alongside rare audio outtakes and the ill-fated TV pilot Tales of Frankenstein.
The long shadow of Hammer
More than six decades on, The Curse of Frankenstein continues to cast a long shadow. Its influence can be felt in everything from Tim Burton’s gothic stylings to parodies on The Simpsons.
For those who grew up with late-night Hammer double bills, or for newcomers curious about the roots of contemporary horror, this new release looks to be an essential purchase.
The Curse of Frankenstein: Limited Collector’s Edition ships this October in the UK, with international versions from the Warner Archive Collection.
Early orders include limited extras ranging from signed photographs to facsimile premiere tickets. Pricing to be announced.
Ghost Dog Vs distillery: The story behind Cù Bòcan, Tomatin’s experimental Highland spirit
One of the more intrigung new whiskies to launch this month is Cù Bòcan Creation #9. The product of American virgin oak and Manzanilla sherry casks, it’s a sweet and sour treat notable both for its flavour profile and affordability. But what’s the deal with Cù Bòcan and the distillery behind the label? It turns…
Pusser’s Rum revives its original 1979 blend with limited edition Founder’s Reserve
Pusser’s Rum is bringing its founding recipe back to life with a limited-edition bottling inspired by the extraordinary story of its founder, Charles Tobias. The new Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition meticulously recreates the first rum blended by Tobias in 1979, the recipe that helped establish the brand’s reputation for characterful Caribbean rum. Founder’s…
Cù Bòcan Creation #9 is a 17 Year Old Highland whisky with a sweet and salty cinematic twist
Highland whisky innovator Cù Bòcan has launched the oldest whisky in its experimental Creations series to date, drawing inspiration from an unlikely source: sweet and salty popcorn. The new limited-edition Creation #9 combines lightly peated Highland single malt with a maturation programme designed to mirror the contrast of sweet and savoury notes found in everyone’s…
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