Studio Canal are releasing a 4K transfer of the one Hammer Frankenstein not to feature Peter Cushing as the Baron. It was originally released on a double bill with SCARS OF DRACULA which Studio Canal are also releasing on 4K at the same time, so you can recreate your very own 4K HD double bill of these two at home. If you want to.
Rather than carry on from the high of the previous year’s FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED, Hammer Films decided to reboot their franchise and go back to remaking the film that started it all, employing original screenwriter Jimmy Sangster to write (with Jeremy Burnham), produce, and direct. The result gives us a smarmy young Baron (Ralph Bates) whose drunken womanising git of a father (George Belbin) dies, allowing Frankenstein Junior to embark on a witless attempt to literally build a monster by numbers while seducing 1970s starlets. The result lumbers about for a bit before suffering an ignominious fate, leading to a final freeze frame shot of the Baron, who looks about as upset as someone who has just received an especially large and unexpected gas bill.
The joys to be found in this one are mainly in the character roles. Dennis Price and Joan Rice are a delight as a grave robbing husband and wife team, and Jon Finch, inexplicably not cast as the Baron (now there would have been a Frankenstein for the 1970s) but in a far less interesting bit part as a policeman. Even composer James Bernard sat this one out, with soon-to-be Master of the Queen’s Music Malcolm Williamson (BRIDES OF DRACULA and CRESCENDO) stepping in instead. However if you fancy a little bit of black comedy with your Hammer horror this may suit.
Archival extras include a Jimmy Sangster / Marcus Hearn commentary track and interviews with lead actress Veronica Carlson (14 minutes) and the monster himself, David Prowse (5 minutes). There's also a ported over making of (18 minutes), a stills gallery and trailer. New material is limited to a conversation between critic Clarisse Loughrey and actor / writer Isaura Barbé-Brown (34 minutes) who are very diplomatic about the film's shortcomings, and a 64 page book which features new writing on the film, the original press kit, and two posters.
Hammer's HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN is out on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from Studio Canal on Monday 24th November 2025
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