Legend of Hammer Vampires

Narrated by Edward De Souza

Don Fearney

R2 DVD

It is amazing that even after so many years when you mention vampires, werewolves or horror films in general people think Hammer. While there may be a new generation of horror films with its own heroes and villains and a modern sense of style and presentation, there is something enduring about Hammer which continues to attract a large audience. This audience is not just old fans, many new and younger horror aficionados are discovering Hammer for the first time and suddenly realizing what gothic horror means. In the end many, like ourselves, come to celebrate the unique characteristics which make up the “Hammer experience”. In my mind it is “once bitten, hooked for a lifetime”, once you experience that combination of the design, feel, mood and plot of a Hammer film (and, of course, the great actors and actresses) you want more and more.

It is easy to see how popular Hammer still is; there is a large number of books on the market and new titles regularly being released. These from the wide scope of the fairly definitive The Hammer Story: The Authorised History of Hammer Films by Marcus Hearn and Alan Barnes (Titan Books) and volumes on various stages of the studios development such as Hammer Films: The Elstree Studios Years by Wayne Kinsey (Tomahawk Press) to books on individual stars, motifs and genres. Hammer is studied in film schools and in psychological classes, the motifs of Hammer horror have become part of our cultural landscape, both in entertainment and in academia. The number of books on the psychology of the motifs found with Hammer films is quite astounding.

The DVD market has taken Hammer to new horizons with all sorts of individual releases and collections including rare and hardly seen Hammer titles being restored and made available. There are editions in every region including some truly gigantic sets such as the 21 Ultimate Hammer Collection from Optimum in the UK (Region 2) There are now even Hammer Noir and Hammer Adventure sets bringing non horror titles to a new generation. The recent release of Terror of the Tongs and the Stranglers of Bombay in the Region 1 Hammer Adventure set was the first time they has even been available on DVD, indeed they had hardly ever been seen since their original release.

At the same time I am always on the lookout for documentaries on Hammer. However, I really want them to give an inside view. Sure researchers can put together a good doco, but when someone is truly dedicated to a subject, it shows. Legend of Hammer Vampires is a film which is obviously made by a real Hammer enthusiast. It has the sense of “passion” that comes to a product which has been created by someone truly enamoured by their interest. Don Fearney’s documentary on Hammers vampire films is truly quite a find. While it focuses on the Vampires of Hammer, it also offers an excellent general history of Hammer along the way, of course with a focus on Horror. It is beautifully presented with an excellent narration by Edward De Souza.

The film itself is 96 minutes and throughout offers us rare footage, stills, posters and “inside” information you are not likely to find anywhere else. We learn about all aspects of the Hammer experience from the great figures such as Lee and Cushing to the many Hammer girls and, of course, the many directors and producers that worked on so many films. We get lots of inside information, history and references with a special care taken to offer us a comprehensive history of the Vampire within the Hammer canon.

There is some quite rare behind the scenes footage and some revealing interviews from such Hammer personages as Caroline Munro, Tudor Gates and Carol Marsh, among others.

The documentary is tightly made, well edited and professionally presented. The script has obviously been worked on for a long time, informing us while entertaining us as well. My attention did not lag for a second and I greatly enjoyed the personal touch given by the memories presented in the interviews.

There are also extended interviews from both Tudor Gates and John Gilling and a very nice show of set designs.

This is a labour of love and deserves our support. While it may not be available at your local DVD store, it is easy to purchase via paypal and you will be rewarded by getting your hands on this extremely informative and entertaining DVD. Send Don Fearney an email on figsculpt@aol.com for details.