The Curse of Frankenstein will be released on 4K Ultra HD on October 13 via Warner Archive.
Based on Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, the 1957 monster movie is the first in Hammer Films’ seven Frankenstein films.
Three versions of the film have been newly restored in 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos audio: the US theatrical version in 1.85:1 ratio, the UK theatrical version in 1.66:1 ratio, and the UK theatrical version in open matte 1.37:1.
Special features for the three-disc (two 4Ks and one Blu-ray) set include:
- New 4K restoration of three versions of the film:
- US theatrical version in 1.85:1 ratio
- UK theatrical version in 1.66:1 ratio
- UK theatrical version in 1.37:1 with side mattes – open matte
- HDR presentation
- New Dolby Atmos audio track, plus additional audio options
- Audio commentary by film historians Kim Newman, Stephen Jones, and Barry Forshaw (new)
- Audio commentary by film historians Heidi Honeycutt and Toby Roan (new)
- Audio commentary by Hammer experts Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby
- Audio commentary by film historians Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr
- Recreating the Creature – Igor Studios’ Lou Elsey and Academy Award winner Dave Elsey recreate Phil Leakey’s iconic Creature make-up on actor James Swanton alongside comments from Phil via previously unheard audio interview and a new interview with Phil’s son, Peter (new)
- A Fitting Vocation/Topped and Tailed – Professor Melanie Bell and the BFI’s Jo Botting discuss wardrobe mistress Molly Arbuthnot and her work alongside contributions from actor Melvyn Hayes, who was costumed by Molly at Bray for his role as young Victor (new)
- Good or Tuesday? – Writer/actor Mark Gatiss, writer/publisher Dick Klemensen, author Stephen Laws, screenwriter/novelist Stephen Gallagher, screenwriter/producer David Pirie, and writer/publisher Wayne Kinsey discuss screenwriter Jimmy Sangster and the lasting impact of his work (new)
- Beside the Seaside – Actor Madeline Smith visits Peter Cushing’s beloved hometown of Whitstable in the company of Hammer expert Wayne Kinsey to learn more about the man behind the actor (new)
- A Gothic History of Frankenstein – Screenwriter and novelist Stephen Volk discusses Shelley’s original novel, its adaptation to cinema and the legacy of Hammer’s genre-defining 1957 film (new)
- Painting with Fine Brushes – Audio interview with cinematographer Jack Asher (previously unreleased)
- Reviving The Curse of Frankenstein – A behind-the-scenes look at how the new 4K restoration was made (new)
- Frankenstein Reborn – Making-of featurette with actor Melvyn Hayes, Hammer experts Denis Meikle and Jonathan Rigby, and James Bernard’s biographer David Huckvale, along with archive footage of producer Michael Carreras and writer Jimmy Sangster
- Life With Sir – A heartwarming portrait of Peter Cushing by his secretary and friend Joyce Broughton
- The Resurrection Men – Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine’s Dick Klemensen explains the revolutionary nature of The Curse of Frankenstein and how it gave birth to a new type of horror
- Hideous Progeny – Christopher Frayling discusses the transgressive nature of the English gothic literary tradition and its monstrous offspring, gothic cinema
- Torrents of Light: Cinematographer David J. Miller examines Jack Asher’s artistry as a lighting cameraman on the Hammer gothics
- Diabolus in Musica – Composer Christopher Drake reflects on the skill and talent of James Bernard and his ongoing influence as the sound of Hammer Horror
- Alternative Eyeball Scene – Included uncut in the main feature, this alternative version of the eyeball scene shows how it was edited to appease the censors.
- Promotional materials – Trailer materials were compiled (and restored where possible) as part of the 4K restoration process of the main feature
- 8mm cutdown version of the film that was commercially available in the 1960s
- Image gallery
Driven by obsession and defying the laws of nature, Baron Victor Frankenstein dares to reanimate the dead, creating not just life, but a monstrous force beyond his control. As his experiments spiral into madness, Frankenstein must confront the consequences of playing God in a world unprepared for the horrors he unleashes.
Terence Fisher directs from a script by Jimmy Sangster, both of whom returned to reboot Dracula for Hammer with Horror of Dracula.
Peter Cushing stars as Victor Frankenstein alongside Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart, and Christopher Lee as the Creature.
