Hey Hammer fans... I need your help!

[CrazyKillah]

Calling all Hammer horror heads...
I've been meaning to dive into some of these classics for some time now and the Arrow's recent review of one of Lee's Drac pix may have finally kicked my ass into gear. What I need to know is what are the essentials, the ones that anyone just diving into these flicks should see first? Your comments are greatly appreciated.

[countchocula]

Easy! Procure Horror of Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein, and The Mummy. Those are the "essentials," but once you've warmed up to conventional Hammer fare, check out Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, Vampire Circus, and maybe even The Reptile for a taste of Hammer's quirky side. You'll be hooked in no time!

[Cabrini Green]

For a non-Hammer Hammer movie check out The Nanny, a very good psychological horror. Check out the Frankenstein, Dracula, and Mummy reincarnations as the Count says. I also like the atmosphere of The Plague of the Zombies, Kronos, To the Devil a Daughter, & The Abominable Snowman.

[drdash]

i'm a huge hammer fan, so here are my picks.
the horror of dracula
curse of frankenstein
the mummy
brides of dracula
curse of the werewolf
revenge of frankenstein
evil of frankenstein
frankenstein must be destroyed
dracula, prince of darkness
dracula has risen from the grave
dr jekyll and sister hyde
taste the blood of dracula
satanic rites of dracula
dracula ad 1972
scars of dracula

ciao
drdash

[spacemonkey]

Heres my pics dude:

- Horror of Dracula- the perenial classic. This is the best Hammer flick ever. Perfectly eerie, dark and atmospheric.

- Scars of Dracula - a slightly more viscious and blood thirsty Drac is presented here, I liked that about it.

- Taste the Blood of Dracula - Oodles of fun. Drac is brought back to life by a satanworshiper. He takes the guys body and proceeds to kill those who refused to take part in his resucitation ritual.

- Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell - This was the last Frankie Hammer flick. Ironically, its the one that I enjoyed the best. Cool looking monster, great performance by everyone here, specially Peter Cushing who delivers a solid performance as Dr. Frankenstein.

- Vampire Lovers - Lesbian vampires in love. Ingridd Pitt showing it all. Great story, nice atmosphere. Whats not to like?

- [/b]The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires[/b] - The most offbeat Hammer flick also happens to be one of the most enjoyable times Ive ever had watching a movie. Think Big Trouble in Little China mixed with a Hammer Dracula flick and whamo! You get this kick ass flick. Fast paced and fun. Filled with some surprise twists!

- Vampire Circus - Another one for the "strange but fun" pile. A Vampire Circus comes to town to bring back a vampire that was slain years ago, and now he wants to bring revenge upon the town that brough him down.

Those are the coolest ones for me. But theres a whole bunch more for you to see. I just listed the ones I think are best.

[Gravedigger]

I am an avid Hammer Horror fan and I'd suggest the following;

Horror Of Dracula<--regarded as Hammer's finest in gothic macabre, with Cushing and Lee in fine form and director Fisher even regarded it as his best film for Hammer.

The Curse Of The Werewolf<--Believe it or not this was Hammer's only werewolf film, to bad, Reed was excellent, some grizzly murders and a fine looking werewolf ta'boot!

The Mummy<--Hammer's second venture into redoing and revisioning the heydays of Universal's Monsters dweeled the silver screen. Once again, Lee and Cushing would pair and Fisher weaved a islolated yet haunting film of the Egyptian cursed legend.

The Gorgon<--A haunting and eerie film that is one of Hammer's rare and only films that delves into the Greek mythos.

The Devil Rides Out<--A film with vibrant colors, a haunting score and a solid performace by Lee. A film based on Wheatley's novel of the same title.

The Brides Of Dracula<--Cushing reings supreme as the vampire hunter, Van Helsing, without Lee though. This film is anything but the title suggests but is one of the finest vampire films IMO.

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed<--One of the finer Frank films with Cushing at his most devious and cunning, with some fine gore and a great ending.

The Vampire Lovers<--Pitt is just 'dead' sexy and deadly as the vampire Carmilla, with some cool gore and fine performances.

Blood from the Mummy's Tomb<--Another film that Hammer adapted by Bram Stoker, with a fine cast and the 'throat' ghashings are very bloody! A decent film that is haunting and eerie.

Captain Clegg<--A differ and darker take on pirates with some moody sets and a fine cast with the Marsh Phantoms, that is aeye opener!

The Reptile<---Love the aztec myth used in this film, of 'snake women', with some fine death scenes and moody sets.

There are more if you want to know, let me know!

[KillerKlown]

The Devil Rides Out is a classic. I especially enjoy it as it's refreshing to see Christopher Lee as a good guy.

[miceland1]

These are some of my personal favorites.

This isn't what I would call the best, or the classics, but they are ones I've seen recently on DVD and really liked.

Scars of Dracula
Brides of Dracula
Blood from the Mummy's Tomb
Planet of the Vampires

-mice

[deadeye]

A couple that have been mentioned, and a couple that haven't...

Vampire Circus, of course
Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter

and for good guy/bad guy takes done by Christopher Lee...

The Devil Rides Out (good guy)
To The Devil, a Daughter (bad guy, and a very young naked Nastassja Kinski)

[countchocula]

Originally posted by miceland1
Planet of the Vampires

Are you referring to the Bava film? If so, it's not a Hammer film.

[miceland1]

I assumed becuase Samuel Z. Arkoff was involved that it was a hammer production. At least its re-distribution in the states.

[spacemonkey]

Originally posted by deadeye
To The Devil, a Daughter (bad guy, and a very young naked Nastassja Kinski)

Was it any good? I know its about an evil priest trying to bring young kids into a satanic cult or something...

[Cushing]

Originally posted by spacemonkey
Was it any good? I know its about an evil priest trying to bring young kids into a satanic cult or something...

Well yes and no . I like the film and it has a lot going for it . Christopher Lee is at his very best as the menacing defrocked priest and there are many tense moments . The ending's a let down but that was due to budget restraints . All in all i consider it an underated little gem .
As far as Hammer recommendations go........... well , all of the above ;)

[deadeye]

I'll be doing a review of To The Devil A Daughter once I check out a few facts. It is a worthwhile view, and I think (one of the facts I need to check) the last Hammer film.

[Cushing]

Originally posted by deadeye
I'll be doing a review of To The Devil A Daughter once I check out a few facts. It is a worthwhile view, and I think (one of the facts I need to check) the last Hammer film.

Not the last Hammer film . That honour goes to The Lady Vanishes.
It was , however , the last horror film from Hammer ........ so far ;)

[deadeye]

Thanks for the info Cushing--one thing I now don't have to look for.