The Curse of Frankenstein (4K UHD)

Ah, here is where the string of Hammer horror films all started; this was the very beginning back in 1957.

When the Hammer studio decided to remake Universal's old classic monster horror films from the early 1930s, who could have guessed how popular they would be, and that they'd end up producing dozens of these gothic horror films over the next nineteen years?

The Frankenstein tale has been filmed so very many times, and each version is so different. In this one, we find the focus of the story is on Dr Frakenstein himself. And perhaps that's the one main drawback to this film, because this time around the monster is only a minor character. We don't really get to know him, or sympathise with him; he's not on screen all that much overall.

Still, this is a solid film, a decent interpretation of the Frankenstein story and one well worth watching. (Though my own personal favourite version is still 1973's "Frankenstein: The True Story.")

The 4k transfer is fantastic, and I appreciate the new 5.1 soundtrack (original mono is also available, of course) which opens up the soundstage with some directional dialogue and sound effects. This disc has SO many extras that are a lot of fun to go through; it's a real treat. Highly recommended.