Another feature-length history of the infamous British film studio that, as the narration proudly says here, changed the face of cinema – and, more precisely, the vivid depiction of screen violence – forever. However, being a longer piece than usual, it takes care to deal with its 1930 origins (including 1935's THE MYSTERY OF THE MARY CELESTE aka PHANTOM SHIP starring legendary horror icon Bela Lugosi), its 1940s radio successes-to-screen adaptations and its 1950s "quota-quickie" run headed by Hollywood second leads like Paul Henried. Furthermore, it also delves into the studio's efforts in other genres like swashbucklers and thrillers but, somewhat disappointingly, not in enough detail to do them proper justice. Therefore – and the title is clear indication enough – the bulk of the feature is dedicated to their phenomenally successful cycle of Gothic horrors, Sci-Fi and Prehistoric adventures.
The roster of interviewees is pretty impressive and quite definitive: apart from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (who also act as narrators) we have Hammer stars like Martine Beswick, Veronica Carlson, Hazel Court, Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, Ferdy Mayne, Caroline Munro, Christopher Neame, Ingrid Pitt, Yutte Stensgaard and Raquel Welch in a combination of archive and newly-shot footage; as for the creative Hammer staff there are Roy Ward Baker, James Bernard, Michael Carreras, Freddie Francis, Val Guest, Ray Harryhausen, Anthony Hinds and Jimmy Sangster as well as Hollywood fanboy Joe Dante. Apart from marking the historic final step in the working relationship of Cushing and Lee, the documentary inadvertently also served as an epitaph for the former and Michael Carreras who would both die soon after it premiered on TV! Apparently, according to its maker Ted Newsom, a longer "Director's Cut" will be unveiled in the near future, a full 20-plus years after it was originally shot
The roster of interviewees is pretty impressive and quite definitive: apart from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (who also act as narrators) we have Hammer stars like Martine Beswick, Veronica Carlson, Hazel Court, Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, Ferdy Mayne, Caroline Munro, Christopher Neame, Ingrid Pitt, Yutte Stensgaard and Raquel Welch in a combination of archive and newly-shot footage; as for the creative Hammer staff there are Roy Ward Baker, James Bernard, Michael Carreras, Freddie Francis, Val Guest, Ray Harryhausen, Anthony Hinds and Jimmy Sangster as well as Hollywood fanboy Joe Dante. Apart from marking the historic final step in the working relationship of Cushing and Lee, the documentary inadvertently also served as an epitaph for the former and Michael Carreras who would both die soon after it premiered on TV! Apparently, according to its maker Ted Newsom, a longer "Director's Cut" will be unveiled in the near future, a full 20-plus years after it was originally shot