Hammer Films launches Hammer Presents label with Cry of the Banshee on UHD & Blu-ray
Following the acclaim for its still ongoing series of excellent Limited Collector’s UHD/Blu-ray Editions of key studio titles (including The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass II and The Curse of Frankenstein), Hammer Films has announced the launch of a new label title Hammer Presents, which will feature films not made by Hammer but, in the words of Hammer’s Steve Rogers, “that are similar in style and substance to the Hammer horror films everyone loves.”
Every title in the Hammer Presents collection will be sourced from brand-new high-definition restorations by award-winning partner Silver Salt Restoration, ensuring each release is presented at a consistently exceptional standard. Each edition will also feature a focused set of special features designed to illuminate the film’s history, craft, and cultural impact, giving fans deeper context for every release.
The first title in what is planned to be an ongoing series will be the 1970 American International Pictures feature, Cry of the Banshee, director by Gordon Hessler (The Oblong Box, Scream and Scream Again, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad), it stars Vincent Price, Elisabeth Bergner, Essy Persson, Hugh Griffith,
Sally Geeson, Robert Hutton and Patrick Mower, and features in small supporting the soon to be more widely known Michael Elphick and Stephen Rea.
The story focuses on Lord Edward Whitman (Price), who rules his domain with an iron fist and massacres a coven of witches. But some still survive and their vengeful leader summons a demonic spirit to destroy Whitman’s family.
One of Gordon Hessler and Chris Wicking’s acclaimed run of films for AIP UK, Cry of the Banshee has been painstakingly restored by Hammer in 4K from the original film negatives. It is presented here as both Hessler’s original director’s cut and AIP’s re-edited theatrical version.
Cry of the Banshee will be released as Limited Edition UHD and Blu-ray (as far as we are aware, these will be separate releases) by Hammer Films at a yet to be confirmed release date and price, but the indication is that the Blu-ray edition will be £18. You can currently sign up for early access here.
LIMITED EDITION UHD/BLU-RAY CONTENTS:
- Both Gordon Hessler’s original director’s cut (in both widescreen and full-frame aspect ratios) and AIP’s re-edited theatrical version alongside new and archive supporting material, on two discs covered in a limited O-card featuring stylish new artwork.
- English subtitles on each version of the film.
- New commentary with author, film-maker and horror film fan Chris Alexander.
- New interview with author and film critic Kim Newman.
- A Devilish Tale of Poe: archive interview with director Gordon Hessler.
- Original theatrical trailer, TV and radio spot.
The features, packaging and specification detailed above are not final and are subject to change.
Click here for an interview with Hammer’s Steve Rogers in which he talks in more detail about the Hammer Presents series.