Review: Hammer Films Double Feature’s (Mill Creek Entertainment)

Mill Creek Entertainment has released 4 Classic Horror films from the 60’s from Hammer Films. Two releases with 2 films per release. Each release only contain one disc with two films occupying its space.

Some may find it a negative that the Blu-Ray Disc is a Lonely single Layer making the Bitrate of Medium Quality. Don t worry though as the Picture quality still looks good as it’s a step over the DVD with a Brighter and sharper Look with vivid colors and good-looking Skin tones. With a Medium Bitrate we don’t see any Pixels on-screen even at close viewing on my 1080p HD 46” Samsung.

Now the Down side would hit when the Sound Quality comes into play. Yes its clear non distortion quality built the sound throws it self towards the middle of the viewing area and it seems somewhat flat thanks to the Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 kbps.

Now yes we have OK sound and a PQ that could be better but hey for the price it’s still a good buy and still a step over the DVD releases. Now lets get on to the Films and First up…..

_________________________________________________________________________

Starring: Paul Massie, Dawn Addams, Christopher Lee, David Kossoff, Norma Marla Directors: Terence Fisher Blu-Ray Release Date: September 6, 2016 Distributor: Mill Creek Entertainment

_________________________________________________________________________

The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll

The First Double feature I dipped into is The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll and the 2^nd film The Gorgon.

Both films were good watches but The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll would be my favorite of the two. The story we all know o, a Scientist who takes a potion who becomes a better looking man but has he mental flaws. On that same side though Jekyll the main personality would still have his metal flaws as well as for being a Hermit, a guy who is afraid of the public. Hyde the alter ego created by potion, a clean-shaven younger man who wants to dive into the sins of what London has to offer. A Murderous rage an unrealistic view on life, he has become a madman. Of Course we get that the two personality’s want to battle over one another to take over its host. The story is fun but also with that we get some moments of comedy. With this film we also get terror, psycho and death. Also Great acting.

The Gorgon

The second film The Gorgon was a good viewing as well but doesn’t have the impact as the first. What we have here is the story of medusa. The film runs like a Mystery film with a twist at the end that seen coming. Medusa her self an older lady with fake rubber snakes coming out of her head is are monster for the film turning anyone who looks into here eye to stone. Through out the film several people along with detectives try to solve what is going on in town were a few guys have turned into stoned. With a story line of Mystery the terror and horror aspect is little in this film as it focuses on plot and dialogue with setups. No Comedy seen here but doesn’t mean you will still giggle at the oldness of the film with its effects. And of course we are looking at a film from the 60’s so we can’t fault it but it’s still fun and funny to see. Now The Jekyll film had this as well. For me the story ran a tad slow but its twist were decent.

I would have to give the this Double pack of The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll / The Gorgon a 3.5 out of

with The Gorgon getting a 3 and Dr Jekyll getting a 4. Its worth the pick up and if you enjoy classic horror and know of Hammer films then I Say give this Blu-Ray a shot.

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

The Next Double feature we have feature The Revenge of Frankenstein and the 2^nd film The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb. The Sound Quality is about the same but the Picture quality drops some for The Revenge of Frankenstein as we have more film defects and the flesh tones are not as great. The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb jumps back to where the first two films are in PQ but does have a clip or two of a more defected shot with tons of grain but mostly the PQ is good-looking for what it is.

The Revenge of Frankenstein

The Revenge of Frankenstein is a tale we all know about. But in this version we don’t get the bolts in the neck horror but a more realistic view as are patient only shows a scare on is face where the face was cut to get to the brain. The more Horror aspect comes in to play in the last half an hour with the ending showing us how are Dr. Stein as been alive in several different body’s over time which gave the film a different spin.

Overall the film was good as I did like the whole aspect of Frankenstein dying and coming back, now I’m not talking about the mad monster he creates due to using a faulty brain as he does in this film but he him self, the Doctor has gone through the same procedure. The film can feel slow as it’s a slow build up but we do get some gore to help. Not the best film of the bunch but still entertaining as I give this film a 3.5 out of 5.

The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb

Are second film The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb runs a story line semi like to Indian Jones as are foreigners are searching and digging up artifacts in Egypt that may hold myths and warnings that may come true. The Film is filled with back stabbing mystery , twists and turns and a mummy controlled by another. Just like all the films in the double features most of the monster action hits the last 30 minutes of the film. But we do have people on people killings before hand to help push the action and entertainment ahead. The story is fun as we are taken from Egypt to London where all the monster mayhem takes place.

Overall the film was a good watch and just like the film before its got its slow portions but its an overall good film to view. I give this double pack a 3.5 out of 5 with both movies as an equal entertainment viewing.

.

.