Hammer Horror: the name rings so ubiquitously in the realms of cinema, and especially around Halloween. Hearing the name, you’re likely to picture one of a number of the British studio’s releases between the 1950s and early 1970s which boasted decadent set design and an intensity of fear and playfulness. A studio of progressive storytelling compared to other offerings of the time, in Hammer’s horror subdivision could be found Technicolor horror (and its subgenres), often sexually and socially provocative, taking classical source material and turning it on its head. Seen as vulgar to the critics, audiences loved the low-budget thrills of Hammer Horror as a refreshing alternative to Hollywood, with two actors in particular becoming distinct heroes of the cycle, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.But what are the sounds behind the horror? The wonder of movie soundtracks can be put on best display in the horror genre,...
- 10/24/2022
- MUBI
Don’t run away because we use the word ‘profound’ to describe this 1967 sci-fi classic — some call it the best of the Hammer Quatermass films, this time fully written by Nigel Kneale and acted by a terrific cast — Andrew Kier, James Donald, Barbara Shelley and Julian Glover. A subway excavation uncovers strange human skulls, and then a huge bluish craft that the Army dismisses as a secret German V-weapon… until it begins to emanate psychic storms and supernatural phenomena. Sci-fi fans wanting ‘more’ will be intrigued by author Kneale’s incredible ‘origin story’ for the human race as an intelligent, aggressive and literally haunted species. The disc is loaded with extras, information, history and great opinions from a half-dozen qualified film experts. Plus we can hear Nigel Kneale discuss it himself.
Quatermass and the Pit
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1967 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date July 30, 2019 / Available from Shout! Factory / 27.99
Starring: James Donald,...
Quatermass and the Pit
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1967 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date July 30, 2019 / Available from Shout! Factory / 27.99
Starring: James Donald,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Don’t run away because we use the word ‘profound’ to describe this 1967 sci-fi classic — some call it the best of the Hammer Quatermass films, this time fully written by Nigel Kneale and acted by a terrific cast — Andrew Kier, James Donald, Barbara Shelley and Julian Glover. A subway excavation uncovers strange human skulls, and then a huge bluish craft that the Army dismisses as a secret German V-weapon… until it begins to emanate psychic storms and supernatural phenomena. Sci-fi fans wanting ‘more’ will be intrigued by author Kneale’s incredible ‘origin story’ for the human race as an intelligent, aggressive and literally haunted species. The disc is loaded with extras, information, history and great opinions from a half-dozen qualified film experts. Plus we can hear Nigel Kneale discuss it himself.
Quatermass and the Pit
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1967 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date July 30, 2019 / Available from Shout! Factory / 27.99
Starring: James Donald,...
Quatermass and the Pit
Blu-ray
Scream Factory
1967 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 97 min. / Street Date July 30, 2019 / Available from Shout! Factory / 27.99
Starring: James Donald,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Joseph Losey’s fortunes as an expatriate director took an upswing with this efficient, nervous and somewhat overcooked thriller with a daunting ticking-bomb deadline story gimmick — alcoholic wreck Michael Redgrave has only twenty hours to save his son from execution for murder. Losey racks up the tension, but he doesn’t give a hoot for Ben Barzman’s whodunnit scripting. Just the same, it’s good to see the director finally gaining traction — from this point forward most every Losey picture received serious international attention.
Time Without Pity
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1957 / B&w / 1:66 widescreen / 89 min. / Street Date October 28, 2019 / available from Powerhouse Films UK (Region Free) / £15.99
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Leo McKern, Ann Todd, Peter Cushing, Alec McCowen, Lois Maxwell, Richard Wordsworth, Joan Plowright.
Cinematography: Freddie Francis
Film Editor: Alan Osbiston
Original Music: Tristram Cary
Written by Ben Barzman from a play by Emlyn Williams
Produced by John Arnold, Leon Clore,...
Time Without Pity
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1957 / B&w / 1:66 widescreen / 89 min. / Street Date October 28, 2019 / available from Powerhouse Films UK (Region Free) / £15.99
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Leo McKern, Ann Todd, Peter Cushing, Alec McCowen, Lois Maxwell, Richard Wordsworth, Joan Plowright.
Cinematography: Freddie Francis
Film Editor: Alan Osbiston
Original Music: Tristram Cary
Written by Ben Barzman from a play by Emlyn Williams
Produced by John Arnold, Leon Clore,...
- 10/15/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Based on Bram Stoker’s The Jewel of the Seven Stars, this 1971 Hammer release is notable for its troubled production and the presence of zaftig Valerie Leon as a reincarnated Egyptian princess. The cast, led by Andrew Keir, soldiered on and the result was a typically handsome Hammer release thanks to Arthur Grant’s cinematography and Tristram Cary’s score.
The post Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 10/8/2018
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
If you see a movie for the first time and swear you've heard the score before, it may not be your imagination...
Last month, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (Afm) sued six major studios for reusing film soundtracks in other films without paying the appropriate compensation. It's the kind of news that will make people roll their eyes. Ah yes, they'll say after seeing the headlines. Typical Hollywood. Not even the music's original any more.
But go beyond the headlines about reusing the same music too much and delve into the lawsuit and it reveals an interesting insight into the kind of situations where music does get repeated.
The lawsuit, it soon becomes evident, isn't about the use of music in itself (a quick browse through the soundtracks for the titles in question, such as This Means War or Argo, reveals that they have...
Last month, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (Afm) sued six major studios for reusing film soundtracks in other films without paying the appropriate compensation. It's the kind of news that will make people roll their eyes. Ah yes, they'll say after seeing the headlines. Typical Hollywood. Not even the music's original any more.
But go beyond the headlines about reusing the same music too much and delve into the lawsuit and it reveals an interesting insight into the kind of situations where music does get repeated.
The lawsuit, it soon becomes evident, isn't about the use of music in itself (a quick browse through the soundtracks for the titles in question, such as This Means War or Argo, reveals that they have...
- 6/9/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Music Composed by: Various Artists
Formats: Digital Download
Number of Discs: 2 (45 tracks, approx. 2 hour 37 minutes)
Label: Silva Screen Records
Overview:
Fifty years, 11 Doctors and 45 tracks, this is the release that Doctor Who fans have been waiting for.
Assembled after years of research and trawls through dusty archives and libraries it’s a compilation of the very special music that has accompanied the Doctor over his travels through time and space from William Hartnell in 1963 to present day Matt Smith.
From Ron Grainer’s iconic theme realized by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Delia Derbyshire to Murray Gold’s orchestral tapestries, this is a sci-fi musical saga.
The esteemed collection of composers featured include Tristram Cary, Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson, Geoffrey Burgon, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Malcolm Clarke, Keff McCulloch, Dominic Glynn, John Debney and more.
The set includes liner notes from Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres on the history of...
Formats: Digital Download
Number of Discs: 2 (45 tracks, approx. 2 hour 37 minutes)
Label: Silva Screen Records
Overview:
Fifty years, 11 Doctors and 45 tracks, this is the release that Doctor Who fans have been waiting for.
Assembled after years of research and trawls through dusty archives and libraries it’s a compilation of the very special music that has accompanied the Doctor over his travels through time and space from William Hartnell in 1963 to present day Matt Smith.
From Ron Grainer’s iconic theme realized by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s Delia Derbyshire to Murray Gold’s orchestral tapestries, this is a sci-fi musical saga.
The esteemed collection of composers featured include Tristram Cary, Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson, Geoffrey Burgon, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Malcolm Clarke, Keff McCulloch, Dominic Glynn, John Debney and more.
The set includes liner notes from Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres on the history of...
- 12/23/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
Chopped my finger off while preparing dinner – strange, I didn't hear a big, dramatic chord in the background. Whispered sweet words in my wife's ear – strange again, I couldn't hear the beautiful sound of harps trilling in the background. And stranger still, when I tripped over in the street, I didn't once hear silly whaa-whaa-whaaaaa comedy music. Just deafening laughter from passers by.
Yet whenever I see most TV programmes and films these days, there's musical cues ahoy to be found in the background. TV, in particular, can't seem to get through a programme without striking up the band. Even In EastEnders – although music is strictly limited to a pointedly chosen classic hit from years gone by. Say that furious hard nut Derek Branning is threatening hapless cheeky chappie Alfie Moon in the Queen Vic over a packet of pork scratchings, the cunning producers will heavily signpost the scenario with...
Yet whenever I see most TV programmes and films these days, there's musical cues ahoy to be found in the background. TV, in particular, can't seem to get through a programme without striking up the band. Even In EastEnders – although music is strictly limited to a pointedly chosen classic hit from years gone by. Say that furious hard nut Derek Branning is threatening hapless cheeky chappie Alfie Moon in the Queen Vic over a packet of pork scratchings, the cunning producers will heavily signpost the scenario with...
- 4/25/2012
- Shadowlocked
As horror fans know better than anyone, the best way to beef up a film's mood and atmosphere is through the use of music, and few did that better than the composers who worked for Hammer Films in its heyday. Which is why we're thrilled to pass on the news that three new compilations of Hammer film soundtrack music will be made available through Silva Screen on March 28th.
Released as part of The Hammer Legacy series, "The Vampire Collection", "The Frankenstein Collection", and "The Science Fiction Collection" will feature some of the best music from the likes of Hammer composers Tristram Cary, Harry Robinson and James Bernard.
According to the official Hammer website the downloadable soundtracks will be available through iTunes and other digital retailers.
The complete track listing is below:
The Hammer Legacy: The Vampire Collection
1. Kiss Of The Vampire - Opening Credits (James Bernard)
2. Kiss Of The...
Released as part of The Hammer Legacy series, "The Vampire Collection", "The Frankenstein Collection", and "The Science Fiction Collection" will feature some of the best music from the likes of Hammer composers Tristram Cary, Harry Robinson and James Bernard.
According to the official Hammer website the downloadable soundtracks will be available through iTunes and other digital retailers.
The complete track listing is below:
The Hammer Legacy: The Vampire Collection
1. Kiss Of The Vampire - Opening Credits (James Bernard)
2. Kiss Of The...
- 2/22/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
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