Hammer re-master their classics

Hammer, the legendary production company responsible for some of the biggest cult horror films is history have announced that they are to be working alongside some of the biggest partners in entertainment to remaster their extensive film library. Anolis Entertainment, Pinewood, Studio Canal and Illuminate Hollywood are just some of the names coming together to undertake this major restoration.

This will see more than 30 films being restored into an HD format suitable for Blu-ray or whatever new media exploitation arrives in the coming years. The first title set to undergo the process is Dracula, Prince of Darkness, which stars that icon of horror, Christopher Lee taking the title role. This will have a re-release in March complete with recently discovered ‘lost footage’ restored and added into the film print.

Other Hammer classics such as Plague of the Zombies, Reptile, Rasputin the Mad Monk, The Mummy’s Shroud and  The Devil Rides Out are lined up to be restored and re-issued during the course of 2012. More lost footage pertaining to The Mummy and The Curse of Frankenstein had prompted Hammer to appeal to film collectors who are in possession of further rare footage to contact them to help in the restoration process.

Simon Oakes is the CEO and president of Hammer, and he has said that the company’s decision to restore some of their favourite titles will not only allow existing fans to experience their films in high definition but also encourage a new audience across the globe to discover the wonder of Hammer films for the first time. He added that they have a busy year and were confident their blu-ray plans will ensure that Hammers legacy lives on.

Hammer was first founded in 1934 and its golden era was the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s when they had huge commercial success with a string of gothic horrors. They ceased production in the 80′s, but was revived in 2010 when they released the critically acclaimed horror ‘Let Me In’.