Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974)

I've said it many time before and I'll continue to say it - Hammer's latter day output is some of its finest. Why? Well, because it had to keep up with the competition. And that meant taking chances and following perceived trends. The cinema-goers and critics of the era might not have been keen on the new approach, but the early-to-mid 70s output is certainly some of the most watchable and least-aged today. And that output is headed up by Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter.

It's deep in Hammer territory, but this is miles away from the classic Cushing/Lee Hammer flicks. That's down to the writer/director, Brian Clemens, a man associated with some of the best British action/adventure of the 60s and 70s (Avengers, Adam Adamant, Protectors, Champions etc) as well as one of my favourite cult horror films, And Soon The Darkness. Clemens took the classic Hammer scenario of vampires stalking the peasants, but adding one extra ingredient - the comic book hero.

Vampyres (1974)

A caravanning holiday in the English countryside in the 1970s isn't the typical scenario for a horror movie, but that is the case with José Ramón Larraz' Vampyres.

In stark contrast to the peaceful setting, Vampyres is the film Hammer were never quite able to make, with the blood letting more realistic and the eroticism in excess of what the British censor would have been comfortable with in 1974. In essence, it's a Euro horror, but set in the UK with a mainly British cast.

DVD Review: Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu - one of the most famous horror movies of all time and featuring one (if not more) of the most iconic scenes in film history. But how many people have actually sat through the entire movie? Less than you might think, not least because a definitive version of F.W. Murnau's silent classic hasn't been available to buy. Until now that is.

The two-disc release of Nosferatu by Eureka, as part of its Masters of Cinema series, is pretty much as definitive as any release can be, featuring a fully-restored version of the movie, the original score by Hans Erdmann, a full-length commentary, a detailed documentary on both the movie and Murnau and an equally-exhaustive 80-page book. More on these additions later.

The film itself loosely follows Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, carefully avoiding any direct references, but with enough similarity for Bram Stoker's widow to successfully sue the Prana company and insist all copies were destroyed. Thankfully for us, numerous copies of the movie had already been distributed - with this restored release based on a French archive print from 1922, with other prints used to fill in the gaps. Missing storyboards have also been recreated using the same font as the original movie. Which means for the first time in over 80 years, we can sit back and watch what the director intended.

Classic Hammer movie posters reissued

Good news for fans of classic Hammer movies - the pick of the film posters have been officially reissued.

The posters are back in print to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Curse Of Frankenstein, with 12 classic images available over a period of time. All are of the original 'quad' size, litho printed on 170gsm paper and sold in a heavy duty black glossy tube.

The first four of the 12 available are The Curse of Frankenstein, Countess Dracula, Vampire Circus and our favourite, The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires (pictured above). The remaining titles will follow over the coming weeks - and if you subscribe to buy them all, you will also receive a free copy of The Curse Of Frankenstein/The Mummy poster. This will not be sold separately.

All retail for £19.99 each, with postage and packaging free to anywhere in the world.

Find out more at the Posters and Stuff website

Paul Smith wind-up Dracula and Frankenstein

Looking for something a little different to show off this Halloween? How about a wind-up Dracula and Frankenstein?

Both are available from Paul Smith and have the looks of the classic movie interpretations. Just wind them up and watch them hobble about the table.

Sadly, there's no sound from these 10cm figures, but as they're only £5 each, you can't really complain. And yes, we do know it's really Frankenstein's monster, not Frankenstein!

Find out more at the Paul Smith website

Via Retro To Go

Cult Clip: Nosferatu (1922)

No introduction needed here, Nosferatu is still the most menacing interpretation of the Dracula story ever to hit the big screen, despite being well over 80 years old.

The definitive version of Murnau's expressionist classic is being made available by Eureka as part of its Masters Of Horror series, fully restored and for the first time, with its original score. Expect a review from us soon - but in the meantime, check out the new trailer.

Tartan Grindhouse unveils new budget horror titles

Tartan's horror arm, Tartan Grindhouse, has a new range of titles set for an autumn launch and at a budget price - Basket Case, Society, Bride Of Re-Animator and Killer Barbys vs Dracula.

Basket Case needs no introduction, with one man and his basket seeking revenge on the doctor responsible for their plight. 25 years old and still with the ability to shock. This reissue tags on a trailer and image gallery, all for a £7.99 price tag from October.

November sees the reissue of Brian Yuzna's bizarre 80s debut Society, along with Yuzna's Bride of Re-Animator and a first-time UK release of Jess Franco's Killer Barbys vs Dracula - a mix of punk, vampires and the spaghetti western apparently, which sounds like a seriously tempting prospect. The latter titles all retail for £9.99. Hopefully we'll have reviews before the DVDs hit the shelves.

Find out more at the Tartan Video website

DVD Review: The Night of the Sorcerers (1973)

Voodoo! Zombies! Vampirism! Leopard Women! Amando de Ossorio’s Spanish horror film The Night of the Sorcerers (a.k.a. La Noche de los brujos, 1973) has all of this and more, but even with all those terrific elements the movie failed to keep me entertained.

The film revolves around a group of naive jungle explorers who find themselves camping near a sacrificial alter used by a group of mysterious “sorcerers.” These voodoo practicing natives enjoy capturing women and torturing them before cutting off their heads and drinking their blood. Afterward the women return from the dead as leopard skin clad she-demons who roam the jungle in slow-motion trying to find more unwilling victims for the ghostly sorcerers.

The movies basic premise is interesting, but it never really comes together. It often feels like Amando de Ossorio can’t decide if he wants to make a kinky sexploitation film or a horror movie. The film suffers from its uneven direction that never fully exploits the films basic horror elements or erotic themes. The special effects are occasionally worthwhile, but they’re often hampered by the films low-budget and half of the films great international cast seems to be sleepwalking through the film.

Cult Clip: The House That Dripped Blood (1971)

More bonkers vintage horror from Amicus – this time with a selection of stories all based around a house with a fiendish past.

This clip from The House That Dripped Blood (requested by reader M. Gimmers of Manchester) features Jon Pertwee as pretentious horror actor Paul Henderson and Ingrid Pitt as his movie co-star Carla Lynde. Henderson has bought a cloak that makes the wearer turn into a vampire. He invites Lynde back to ‘the house’ to explain – and to apologise for trying to bite her during filming.

If you have any requests – and we have them – we’ll do our best to feature.

Cinema Art: Dracula AD 1972 (1972)

We haven't done any Cinema Art for a while, so while I'm on a Hammer tip, it seems like a good time to feature the cinema poster for Dracula AD 1972.

I love this film, a belated swinging sixties take on the traditional Hammer horror. The poster fits in nicely too, squeezing in a few period "dolly birds", not to mention a Triumph Stag and the name-dropping of Kings Road. Oh yes, and Dracula himself, just to keep things on track.

If you want one on excellent condition, expect to pay around £350.

The Satanic Rites Of Dracula (1974)

I think we've mentioned before that Hammer was running out of steam as the 70s advanced, with new ideas and new ways of reworking the classics the order of the day. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't and occasionally (like ) things were just plain odd. I would class The Satanic Rites Of Dracula as a success - not one of the greats, but good entertainment very much in the Hammer tradition.

This time Hammer mixed traditional horror with the crime thriller, with government agents (MI6) and the police joining the hunt for everyone's favourite vampire. Only by chance though - the authorities send in an agent to look into activities in a large stately home (Pelham House), which they believe has connections to a spy ring. The agent escapes - but barely alive. However, he is in possession of photos of prominent people at an occult ceremony at the house, plus a few details of the goings on before he pops off.

One of these people is the government minister in charge of the investigating department, so the enquiry goes elsewhere - bringing in a special branch officer (Inspector Murray played by Michael Coles) and Van Helsing (Peter Cushing), along with his grand daughter (played by Joanna Lumley). Together, they try to investigate the mysterious house (guarded by bikers in kaftans) and the company that owns it - D.D. Denham - which (it transpires) is also spending cash on creating a deadly plague virus to wipe out the world. This strange corporation also happens to have a very famous vampire as its head - and he's even got a smart office in central London with all the latest furnishings. Yes, Dracula ditches the gothic style and goes for 70s space age. Sadly, he's kept the same suit, I would have loved to have seen him with a flare and fat tie.

Small screen: Bloodsuckers (1970)

I think I've mentioned previously that the BBC have some sort of fascination with Robert Hartford-Davis films right now, slipping in a number of his movies in the early hours of the morning. And bizarrely, they're showing one of his most strange and indeed obscure this weekend - Bloodsuckers.

We have reviewed this movie previously and despite its obvious faults, lack of budget and half-finished nature, it's still a must-see for any fan of 70s British horror. It's listed under its alternative title of Incense For The Damned and I'm wondering whether they're showing the full version (with the psychedelic orgy scenes) or the cut version that appeared on the DVD issue in the UK. I'm guessing the latter.

Anyway, to find out, set the video or DVD recorder for the early hours of Monday morning (14th May) at 1:35am on BBC2. And prepare to be bemused.

Read our review of Bloodsuckers

DVD Review: The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974)

By the mid 70s, the Hammer formula was starting to look more than a little tired and with the company on its last legs, new ideas were needed to keep the film stable relevant. Hooking up with Hong Kong martial arts studio Shaw Brothers might have seemed like a strange way to go - but it was actually more than a little inspired.

Mixing martial arts with horror might not seem all that bold now, but when The Legend of The 7 Golden Vampires hit the big screen in 1974, it was a very strange beast - and not something readily accepted by the Hammer faithful. In fact, Hammer made just two more horrors after this. Shame, because many Hammer movies don't really cut it in 2007 - while The Legend of The 7 Golden Vampires does, despite its obvious flaws.

The tale itself is pure nonsense. A Chinese warlord travels to Transylvania to summon the help of Count Dracula in support of the 6 golden vampires. There were 7, but one got bumped off. Dracula takes over the warlord's body and heads to China, keen to get some serious vampire action himself.

DVD Review: Bloodsuckers (1970)

I make no excuses for my love of 70s British horror movies  - so when I encounter one that stars Peter Cushing, Patrick Macnee (fresh from The Avengers), Patrick Mower, Edward Woodward and Imogen Hassall as a female vampire - well, it's too good to be true.

And unsurprisingly, Robert Hartford-Davis' Bloodsuckers (also known as Incense For The Damned) is too good to be true. But not as bad some people claim - including the director himself.

The film is a "what might have been" and quite obviously released without being fully realised - the voiceovers and abrupt changes of scene are enough to tell you that this was pasted together in something of a hurry. Hartford-Davis disowned it and it didn't actually get a full release until 1976. None of this bodes well for the potential viewer. But don't write it off just yet - it does have its merits.

Cult Clip: Planet of the Vampires (1966)

Mario Bava's terrific science fiction classic Planet of the Vampires (Terrore nello spazio, 1965) inspired director Ridley Scott to make his creepy 1979 hit Alien, but Bava's film has an original flair and stylish sixties look that Scott just couldn't match.

Bava's film involves a spaceship which is lured to a mysterious planet. After the ship arrives there the crew members begin to go berserk and violently attack each other. When members of the crew start turning up dead things gets really unpleasant. Their corpses become possessed by an alien race that's on the verge of extinction and they need the bodies of the dead crew members to escape from their dying planet.

If you're in the mood for some good science fiction fun with plenty of scary moments I highly recommend giving Plant of the Vampires a look. The offical MGM NTSC Region-1 DVD release of the film has unfortunately gone out of print, but you can still find used copies of Planet of the Vampires selling cheaply at Amazon or on eBay.

- Kimberly Lindbergs

The Mario Bava Collection, Volume 1

This week fans of Italian horror cinema are in for a real treat! Anchor Bay is releasing The Mario Bava Collection, Volume 1 DVD set, which includes five of director Mario Bava's films from the sixties including Black Sunday (La Maschera Del Demonio, 1961), Black Sabbath (I Tre Volti Della Paura, 1963), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (La Ragazza Che Sapeva Troppo, 1964), Kill, Baby... Kill! (Operazione Paura, 1966) and Knives of the Avenger (I Coltelli Del Vendicatore, 1966).

All of the films have previously been available on DVD before, but the DVDs in this terrific collection feature new transfers of the original films and come with lots of great new extras such as trailers, radio spots, actor biographies, poster galleries and new audio commentary by Bava biographer Tim Lucas.

Mario Bava is one of Italy's most influential directors and during his long career he created many beautiful and horrifying films. His groundbreaking work as a cinematographer and mastery of special effects has inspired generations of filmmakers such as Dario Argento, David Lynch, Tim Burton, Michele Soavi and his son Lamberto Bava.

The Los Angeles Grindhouse Festival 2007

On Sunday March 4th The Los Angeles Grindhouse Festival 2007 presented by Quentin Tarantino at the New Beverly Cinema got off to great start with a double-bill of the blaxploitation classic The Mack (1973) and the martial arts action flick The Chinese Mack (Da jiao long, 1974).

This eight week long event will present over fifty films and takes place March 4th - April 30th. Various theme nights are planned including the "Euro Sex Comedies Triple Feature," showcasing Sex with A Smile (aka 40 gradi all'ombra del lenzuolo, 1976), Sex on the Run (aka Casanova & Co., 1977) and The Oldest Profession (aka Le Plus vieux métier du monde, 1967) as well as the "All Blood Triple Feature," which will feature screenings of The Blood Spattered Bride (aka La Novia ensangrentada, 1972), Asylum of Blood (aka La Bestia uccide a sangue freddo, 1971) and Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary (1975) as well as many others.

Back from the Dead: 70s British Horror at the NFT

Here at Cinedelica, we've championed British horror - and 70s horror in particular - right from the off. So we're rather excited to hear that London's NFT will be showcasing the era/genre with Back from the Dead: 70s British Horror.

Pulled together by curators William Fowler and Vic Pratt under the Flipside banner, it features some of my all-time favourites - Psychomania, Deathline, Dracula AD 1972 and Vampyres, all with full supporting programme.

Each movie shows twice, with the season kicking off from 8th April. It's rare for any of these movies to show on the big screen, so make an effort to get down.

Full details of the season at the BFI website

Watch Nosferatu and Reefer Madness online - for free

All these online video sites, there's so many to choose from - not to mention sites that search them for movies, TV shows and clips - like Bringpopcorn.com.

Browse or search for obscure cult classics (and more recent films that probably aren't yet in the public domain). A quick search found full versions of insane propaganda movie Reefer Madness, the excellent Nosferatu and some 50s sci-fi cheese in The Day The Earth Stood Still (or even Plan 9 From Outer Space if you want something really bad) - all to either download or watch online.

Let us know what you find on the site - or simply watch the above if you happen be bored at your desk. It beats working.

Visit Bringpopcorn.com

DVD Review: Twins Of Evil - Special Edition (1971)

We recently reviewed Hands Of The Ripper, a 1971 Hammer horror that perhaps indicated a change of direction from the British horror maker, away from its traditional vampire comfort zone. Oh no - on the same bill as that movie was this one - Twins Of Evil - a tale of vampires and witch hunts, now available as a Special Edition with fully restored picture.

Twins Of Evil is loosely the third part in a trilogy of movies around the female vampire Carmilla Karnstein. Carmilla appears only briefly in this movie, turning the slightly camp Count Karnstein into a vampire with a swift bite of the neck.

Karnstein's foe is Gustav Weil (Peter Cushing), head of a bunch of puritanical witch hunters who enjoy nothing more than wandering the countryside looking for young women believe to be witches, before burning them at the stake.

Yes, we're in classic Hammer land here, all the more so when Weil takes two 19-year-old orphaned girls into his care - Maria and Frieda, one good and one not so good (and with an eye on getting involved in whatever Karnstein is up to in his castle). In fact, Freida (that's the soon-to-be evil one) doesn't waste any time. Easily lured to the castle, she soon enjoys a bit of bloodletting with Karnstein before Weil catches up with her - and lines her up for the fire. But there's one problem - is the right twin going to burn?

Cult Clip: Dracula AD 1972

King of our newly-created Mod Horror genre, Dracula AD 1972 was Hammer's attempt at getting hip with the kids, introducing rock music and resurrecting Dracula (played by Christopher Lee) in a swinging London setting, using his assistant to recruit disciples around the Kings Road coffee bars.

It's not a horror classic, but it's great viewing. Check out the trailer below...

Ultimate Hammer Collection DVD Box Set

The sets were occasionally wobbly, the plots sometimes more so - but for many, Hammer is still the benchmark for classic horror movies. And if you want the perfect introduction, you should pick up the Ultimate Hammer Collection DVD Box Set, which brings together 21 classic horror, sci-fi and fantasy films from the Hammer vaults, along with a host of extras.

The films featured are (*deep breath*) Blood From The Mummies, Demons Of The Mind, Fear In The Night, One Million Years BC, Plague Of The Zombies, Quatermass And The Pit, Rasputin, The Mad Monk, The Reptile, Dracula, Prince Of Darkness, Frankenstein Created Women, Horror Of Frankenstein, Scars Of Dracula, She, To The Devil A Daughter, The Vengeance Of She, The Witches, Slave Girls, The Nanny, The Devil Rides Out and The Viking Queen.

All come in a cool collector's box and feature commentaries, trailers, intereviews and a full-length documentary about the production house. It's available from Amazon for just under £116 - which isn't bad considering what you get. We'll be looking at some ofthe titles in the box in more detail over the coming days and weeks.

Find out more at Amazon.co.uk

Twins Of Evil - Special Edition (1971)

Another much-loved Hammer title gets the special edition treatment next month - this time it's Twins Of Evil, starring Peter Cushing and Playboy Magazine’s first twin centrefolds - Mary and Madeline Collinson as said twins.

It's a typical Hammer scenario, set in a small village middle Europe, where the orphaned twins have been relocated to live with their kindly aunt and grim uncle Gustav Weil (Cushing). Gustav is a witch hunter, terrorising the local population to stop the witchcraft and devil worship in the area. The man behind the evil is Count Karnstein - who uses one of the twins to gain his revenge against the uncle.

These days remembered mainly for both the violence and nudity (as Hammer got its money's worth out of the Playboy girls), you can judge for yourself whether it stands up as a classic horror tale on October 9th (or read our review, which should be online before that date). Extras include a deleted scene, an introductory booklet written by Stephen Jones and the theatrical trailer.

Find out more at Amazon.co.uk

DVD review: Countess Dracula - Special Edition (1971)

Few films sum up Hammer like Countess Dracula.

Take an element of truth - in this case, Elisabeth Bathory, the "Blood Countess" of Hungary, who allegedly bathed in virgins' blood to maintain her beauty, then stretch the tale - by presuming the gruesome baths really did keep her young. Throw in a solid cast list, some period costumes, several heaving bosoms and an angry pitchfork-wielding mob (who strangely all talk with West Country accents despite it being set in Hungary) and you have one of Hammer's most memorable moments.

Ingrid Pitt is the widow Countess Elisabeth, who runs her kingdom mercilessly with her lover, Captain Dobi (Nigel Green). One day, in a fit of anger, she strikes out at a chambermaid and bloods splashes against her skin, turning the affected area youthful and smooth. The maid is slaughtered - and the Countess bathes in her blood, using her looks to snare the young son of her former husband's best friend (played by a horror regular of the period, Sandor Eles).

The House That Dripped Blood (1970)

Recently given an airing on late night BBC television, The House That Dripped Blood is everything that late60s/early 70s British horror was about.

Made by Amicus, it's the film version of one of those Pan horror paperbacks that were popular at the time. Find a suitable introduction (copper from London heads to the sticks to investigate a murder in an isolated house), get said detective to interview people about the house, get these people to tell the "spooky" stories about the past residents of said house. Then tie it all up with the policeman visiting the house.

And do you know something? It works a treat.

It's all helped along with a fantastic British cast - a "who's who" of the genre and more besides, including Ingrid Pitt, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Jon Pertwee, Denholm Elliott, Joss Ackland, Nyree Dawn Porter and many more. You can't go far wrong with that bunch.

Countess Dracula Special Edition (1971)

A genuine Brit horror classic gets the reissue treatment in September, with the return of Hammer's Countess Dracula, along with a whole host of extras.

Ingrid Pitt stars as Countess Elisabeth (inspired by the real-life Erzebeth Bathory), a hardline medieval European ruler who accidentally discovers that the blood of a chambermaid makes her skin youthful. She slaughters the girl and bathes in her blood to restore her looks.

With the key to eternal youth, she coerces her lover (Captain Dobi) into abducting a string of virgins to keep her in blood - and looks. Yes, it's classic bonkers Hammer - and all the better for it.

This new version comes packed with extras, including an audio commentary with Ingrid Pitt and horror experts Kim Newman and Stephen Jones, an archive news clip covering of fifty years of Hammer, an archive interview with Ingrid Pitt, a Thriller episode featuring Ingrid Pitt, Conceptions of Murder: Peter and Maria – a 1970 play about mass murder - and of course, the ubiquitous theatrical trailer.

It's available to buy from 11th September - hopefully we'll have a review online before then.

Find out more at Amazon.co.uk

YouTube: Vampire Lovers (1970)

If you want an idea of what Hammer horror is about, watch this trailer of the Vampire Lovers.

Vampires, a Vincent Price voiceover, Peter Cushing running around with a stake, young females in flimsy white dresses (and mandatory heaving bosom), smoke machines, polystyrene gravestones, a shrieking soundtrack and bit-part British actors dressed in 18th century period costume. George Cole in this case. Oh yes, and Ingrid Pitt.

They don't make 'em like they used to.