. . . this news just in from DVD Drive-In . . .

The News of the Century!

Fangoria just broke this long-awaited scoop: "Fans of Hammer Films’ 1970s outings will rejoice that DVD outfit Synapse Films has acquired the rights to four titles from the library of the classic British horror studio. Among them are three features that have never previously been available on optical disc in the U.S. Synapse’s Don May Jr. gave us the scoop that they’ve picked up Robert Young’s VAMPIRE CIRCUS, John Hough’s TWINS OF EVIL and Peter Sasdy’s HANDS OF THE RIPPER, along with the classic 13-episode TV series HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR. 'We have new high-definition transfers of all three features,' May tells Fango. 'Supplement producer Daniel Griffith is working with us on extras, including—so far—interviews with filmmaker and Hammer fan Joe Dante and FLESH AND BLOOD: THE HAMMER HERITAGE OF HORROR writer/director Ted Newsom. Other possible interviews and extras are in the works, including theatrical trailers and TV spots. It’s very possible we will be putting out the three features on Blu-ray as well. If we do, we’ll announce both the DVD and Blu-ray releases at the same time. All 13 episodes of HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR will be released in a DVD boxed set. The plan is to have these available in third quarter 2010.' Keep your eyes here for details as they become available."

Amazing. Figures this would happen after I finally broke down and got that Aussie Circus/Twins/Ripper box set last year. Here's hoping they put these titles out on decent Blu-ray discs.

Actually, it's "...this news just in from Fangoria..." Come on, Wade, didn't you know that Fangoria always breaks the Synapse scoops, and DVD Drive-In gets first dibs on the Code Red/Scorpion news flashes? :D

I've had the Carlton UK boxes for years, but I'll happily upgrade to R1 dvds. I know there're plenty of people jonesing for blu's too.

It'd be nice if someone would re-issue THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT and THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN.

"Come on, Wade, didn't you know that Fangoria always breaks the Synapse scoops, and DVD Drive-In gets first dibs on the Code Red/Scorpion news flashes?"


. . . well, gosh, no, apparently yet another hole in my knowledge regarding how the real world operates . . . but in my defense, I did find this article on DVD Drive-In who took it from Fangoria who got it from Synapse whose office might be in The House that Jack Built . . .

This is beyond awesome.

About time. VAMPIRE CIRCUS is one of my favorites.

Well, it's about damn' time. And I'm glad it's Synapse.

If the discs look as good as the TWINS OF EVIL and VAMPIRE CIRCUS prints recently aired on MGM HD (and I have little doubt that will), they will definitely go on my Mobius Top 10 list in next year's poll. VAMPIRE CIRCUS is probably Hammer's most underrated horror film, not surprising in that it has been very difficult to see in America.

According to Don May over at the Classic Horror board...

Looks like Severin is getting in on the act...

Severin to release HORROR EXPRESS and THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD on DVD and Blu-Ray

HORROR EXPRESS rescued from PD Hell? Huzzah!

Considering the one sort-of-acceptable (if you squint really hard) DVD of that has been OOP for about a decade...

Well, I picked up the readily available UK release on Amazon recently and it's fullscreen (unmatted, I guess) but perfect quality and terrific fun.

Victor

Our transfers are actually better looking! We were able to do some extra cleanup, etc.

. . . while I am, of course, certain the standard DVDs will be excellent, I hope it is economically possible to issue blu-rays as well - VAMPIRE CIRCUS would be something to see . . .

Simply terrific news on the Hammers (and especially HORROR EXPRESS!) coming to Blu - now, if either Don or Severin could make the world a perfect place and perform a similar miracle for THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA, I'm sure we'd all sleep a little easier in our beds...

A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool?



Vampire Circus on a combo Blu-Ray/DVD for Christmas.

The Mondo Digital Review

Synapse's Vampire Circus streets today and is only $20.49 at Amazon, which you can access from the Mobius link at the top of this page.

So... be cool. B)

Nice job, Amazon. You got it to me in one day, even with standard shipping in the heart of the Christmas deluge. I've only been able to check out the DVD disc so far, but I'm very pleased with what Synapse has presented. Picture and sound quality are fabulous, with many enjoyable extras. A strong contender for Disc of the Year, probably only upset by the box sets. What a fun vampire movie! I look forward to reading what others thought.

Oh, and DVD Beaver loved it!

DVD Drive-In too!

I thought I'd bump up this thread in the wake of Synapse's marvelous Blu-ray/DVD combo release of Twins Of Evil. After watching the feature and peeking at the extras on the Blu-ray disc, I can't imagine any Hammer fan who wouldn't be overjoyed with this presentation. What did others think?

DVD Drive-In review

Mondo Digital review

Robert Harris' A few words about... TWINS OF EVIL

I'd forgotten how wonderful TWINS OF EVIL is until watching the Blu yesterday - some of this 70s Hammer stuff certainly looks better with time, the documentary "extra" running just about as long as the film is also aces. The last I read about American editions of the Hammer films being restored and released to Blu in England was on their site - someone asked if these would receive a Region A release in the near future and the answer was probably more like the mid-future.

CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN UK Blu ray release date announced. See link.

Curse of Frankenstein Blu ray