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Warner Archive Press Release: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - 2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION
New 2020 1080p HD Restoration Masters from 4K Scans of Preservation Separation Elements
Run Time: 83:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 - English
Aspect Ratio: Disc One-1.85:1-16x9 Widescreen and 1.66:1-16x9 Widescreen
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: 2-BD 50
Special Features: New feature commentary by Screenwriter/Film Historian Steve Haberman and Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr, Newly Remastered 1.37:1 Open Matte version of feature. New Featurettes include: The Resurrection Men: Hammer, Frankenstein and the Rebirth of the Horror Film, Hideous Progeny: The Curse of Frankenstein and the English Gothic Tradition, Torrents of Light: The Art of Jack Asher, Diabolus in Musica: James Bernard and the Sound of Hammer Horror, Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The first, and perhaps the best of the long-running series of horror films from the house of Hammer, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this landmark interpretation based on the famous Mary Shelley story. Baron Victor Frankenstein becomes friends with one of his teachers, Paul Krempe. At first, both men are fascinated by the potential of their re-animating experiments. Eventually, though, Krempe refuses to help with Frankenstein's human experiments. However, he is drawn back into the plot when Frankenstein's creature kills a member of the house staff. For its U.S. Blu-ray debut, Warner Archive is proud to present this deluxe 2 Disc Special Edition, featuring two theatrical aspect ratio presentations, meticulously remastered and restored from preservation separations, as well as bonus disc with the restoration presented in "open-matte" format, as was seen for years on television, plus four exciting new retrospective featurettes, an expert commentary, and the original theatrical trailer.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases

 
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Ray H

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Great news! I've never been a huge horror guy, but was digging a little deeper last month. Started watching some of the Dracula movies and got me looking for a good release of this one. I actually almost ordered the UK disc of this movie last night, but was deterred by Amazon UK's current high shipping prices to the US!
 

RICK BOND

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View attachment 81510

THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957) - 2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION
New 2020 1080p HD Restoration Masters from 4K Scans of Preservation Separation Elements
Run Time: 83:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 - English
Aspect Ratio: Disc One-1.85:1-16x9 Widescreen and 1.66:1-16x9 Widescreen
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: 2-BD 50
Special Features: New feature commentary by Screenwriter/Film Historian Steve Haberman and Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr, Newly Remastered 1.37:1 Open Matte version of feature. New Featurettes include: The Resurrection Men: Hammer, Frankenstein and the Rebirth of the Horror Film, Hideous Progeny: The Curse of Frankenstein and the English Gothic Tradition, Torrents of Light: The Art of Jack Asher, Diabolus in Musica: James Bernard and the Sound of Hammer Horror, Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The first, and perhaps the best of the long-running series of horror films from the house of Hammer, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in this landmark interpretation based on the famous Mary Shelley story. Baron Victor Frankenstein becomes friends with one of his teachers, Paul Krempe. At first, both men are fascinated by the potential of their re-animating experiments. Eventually, though, Krempe refuses to help with Frankenstein's human experiments. However, he is drawn back into the plot when Frankenstein's creature kills a member of the house staff. For its U.S. Blu-ray debut, Warner Archive is proud to present this deluxe 2 Disc Special Edition, featuring two theatrical aspect ratio presentations, meticulously remastered and restored from preservation separations, as well as bonus disc with the restoration presented in "open-matte" format, as was seen for years on television, plus four exciting new retrospective featurettes, an expert commentary, and the original theatrical trailer.
Thank You Ronald ! The BEST News of the Year ! :);):biggrin:
christopher-lee-creature-in-woods-.jpg
 
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RICK BOND

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Very much looking forward to this film looking decent after all these years. Not really understanding the open matte thing at all - why would anyone watch the film that way?
Just to see more picture information on the Top and Bottom of the screen. The Poor Quality UK Bluray has the Open Matte version also.
 

Robert Harris

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Very much looking forward to this film looking decent after all these years. Not really understanding the open matte thing at all - why would anyone watch the film that way?

There are certain design elements in the imagery, that fall just outside of the crop, that once seen in 1.37 are missed in the matted versions. Including the 1.37 makes things all-inclusive.

And having sampled the restorative efforts, I can tell you that the film looks as people have not seen it in decades. I’m thrilled!
 

HanShotFirst

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Just wondering, is the 1.66 ratio what was seen in UK theaters, and the 1.85 what was seen in the US? Looking at the movie page of this title on Blu-ray.com they have the technical details for this at 1.75:1...not sure why.
 

aPhil

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I wonder how the UK version from a few years ago would hold up against it?

The UK blu-ray did not hold up against Warner's old and ugly USA DVD,
so I think that we are going to get the best that is possible with the upcoming Blu-ray.
I don't think it likely that it will equal the 1957 presentation, but that it will be the best since that time.

I'm thrilled and excited that Warner has gone all out for this release.
 

MarkantonyII

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I wonder how the UK version from a few years ago would hold up against it?

From memory the UK release looked poor, primarily due to the best available (at the time) source element (poss IP) with faded/uncorrectable colour issues. I think the negative was reportedly unusable at that time.

This is probably why they’ve gone back to sep’s and recombined to create a new master.

M
 

John Hodson

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Just wondering, is the 1.66 ratio what was seen in UK theaters, and the 1.85 what was seen in the US? Looking at the movie page of this title on Blu-ray.com they have the technical details for this at 1.75:1...not sure why.

Because of this instruction to British cinematographers adopted in 1954 (image courtesy of Bob Furmanek)

UK3-(2)-web.jpg
 

Bryan^H

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My favorite Hammer film, and perhaps the best Frankenstein film ever made (I love the original Universal film of course).
 

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