CollectingIndicator: Hammer FilmsReleased on Blu-ray
Indicator’s curated Hammer Films collections highlight the rich diversity of the studio’s mid-20th-century output, encompassing gothic horror, psychological thrillers, wartime dramas, and swashbuckling adventure drawn from the vaults of Hammer Film Productions. With high-quality presentations and extensive supplemental material, these editions celebrate everything from bold reimaginings of classic monsters and tense psychological drama to morally complex character pieces and exotic period spectacles. The result is a wide-ranging tribute to Hammer’s genre-spanning storytelling and enduring influence on British popular cinema, offering a richly detailed look at one of the UK’s most distinctive studios.
Hammer Volume OneFear Warning!
Psychological instability, ancient curses, and simmering obsession collide in Maniac (1963), The Gorgon (1964), The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964), and Fanatic (1965). Moving from sun-scorched noir tension to supernatural menace and tightly wound domestic terror, these unsettling tales explore madness, myth, and moral decay with mounting intensity. Together, they reflect a bold and varied chapter in British horror, where atmosphere and character-driven suspense prove as potent as any monster.
Hammer Volume TwoCriminal Intent
Tension simmers beneath the surface in The Snorkel (1958), Never Take Sweets from a Stranger (1960), The Full Treatment (1960), and Cash on Demand (1961). Ranging from ingenious murder plots and small-town scandal to psychological manipulation and a tightly wound holiday heist, these suspense-driven dramas turn ordinary settings into pressure cookers of fear and mistrust. Together, they showcase a sharp, adult edge in British thrillers, where moral certainty crumbles and every decision carries dangerous consequences.
Hammer Volume ThreeBlood & Terror
Conflict, captivity, and colonial-era intrigue define The Camp on Blood Island (1958), Yesterday’s Enemy (1959), The Stranglers of Bombay (1959), and The Terror of the Tongs (1961). From harrowing wartime prison camps to morally complex jungle warfare and secret societies operating in the shadows of empire, these hard-edged dramas and thrillers confront violence, loyalty, and survival head-on. Together, they highlight a gritty, uncompromising strain of British adventure cinema unafraid to explore the darker corners of history and human nature.
Hammer Volume FourFaces of Fear
Dark ambition and dangerous experimentation drive The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960), Taste of Fear (1961), and The Damned (1962). Blending gothic horror, psychological suspense, and unsettling science fiction, these provocative thrillers probe fractured identities, moral corruption, and the terrifying consequences of tampering with nature. Together, they represent a bold and imaginative wave of British genre cinema that pushed boundaries while delivering unforgettable shocks.
Hammer Volume FiveDeath & Deceit
Adventure and intrigue take center stage in Visa to Canton (1960), The Pirates of Blood River (1962), The Scarlet Blade (1963), and The Brigand of Kandahar (1965). Spanning espionage, swashbuckling rebellion, civil war conflict, and colonial frontier drama, these action-driven tales deliver exotic locales, clashing loyalties, and high-stakes heroics with unmistakable period flair. Together, they showcase a dynamic strand of British genre filmmaking where bold storytelling and rousing spectacle go hand in hand.
Hammer Volume SixNight Shadows
Step into a world of creeping dread and gothic grandeur with The Shadow of the Cat (1961), Captain Clegg (1962), The Phantom of the Opera (1962), and Nightmare (1964). From vengeful felines and masked smugglers to tragic phantoms and psychological terror, these chilling classics showcase the moody atmosphere, striking visual style, and macabre elegance that defined vintage British horror. Together, they stand as richly crafted examples of studio-era suspense, blending unforgettable imagery, dramatic storytelling, and timeless genre appeal.
Hammer Volume SevenShips & Giggles
Bursting with cheeky charm and quintessentially British wit, The Ugly Duckling (1959), Don’t Panic Chaps (1959), A Weekend with Lulu (1961), and Watch It, Sailor! (1961) deliver a delightful lineup of classic mid-century comedies. Packed with mistaken identities, seaside misadventures, and laugh-out-loud farce, these spirited films capture the breezy, carefree energy of postwar British entertainment. Together, they reflect a buoyant era of homegrown humor, where breezy storytelling and larger-than-life characters delivered laughs that continue to resonate.
Robin Hood at HammerTwo Tales from Sherwood Forest
Legendary heroism and outlaw adventure ride again in Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) and A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967). With bold rescues, tyrannical villains, and stirring battles beneath the greenwood canopy, these spirited retellings bring fresh energy to the enduring tale of England’s most famous archer. Together, they celebrate the swashbuckling tradition with colorful characters, rousing action, and timeless folklore brought vividly to life.
Creatures the World Forgot
Set in a harsh prehistoric landscape where survival is everything, Creatures the World Forgot (1971) offers a stark and primal take on early humanity. Stripped of conventional dialogue and driven by elemental conflict, the film explores tribal rivalry, dominance, and desire against a rugged natural world. It stands as a distinctive entry in British prehistoric adventure cinema, emphasizing atmosphere, physical storytelling, and raw spectacle.
