Hammer Horror Collection (3 Film Set)

DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS - The transfer on this film is quite solid with natural skin tones, a stable image, and minimal imperfections. The audio is very consistent and adequate. I do not own the Anchor Bay version to compare. As far as the film itself goes, I think this one is a little overrated. It's still a good movie but there are other Hammer Dracula installments that I simply enjoy more (namely the 2 that followed it: Dracula Has Risen From the Grave and Taste the Blood of Dracula).

LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES - By far, the worst of the 3 transfers in the set. Immediately upon viewing it is obvious the film speed is off, which results in unnaturally fast motion. The runtime here is only 85 min. instead of the 89 min. length on the Anchor Bay DVD. The increased film speed acccounts for the difference and it doesn't appear as if anything is cut. However this one is in Anamorphic Widescreen and the AB release is letterboxed, which isn't' very friendly with most widescreen TVs. Surprisingly this soundtrack is much clearer and more robust than AB's which is muffled lo-fi by comparison. Also, Millenium's color palette seems more natural than the Anchor Bay transfer. Unfortunately none of these improvements overcome the terribly distracting off-kilter film speed that renders the movie almost unwatchable. Anchor Bay wins hands down on this one, and their DVD includes the American cut of the film as well (The Seven Brothers Meet Dracula). I hope they straighten out the speed issue for any further release of this interesting east-meets-west flick.

FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN - Another clean solid transfer with more natural color and even a little sharper than it's AB counterpart, although the print is a little darker overall. Audio once again is pretty tight with little to no hiss, pops, or crackles. This movie is one of the best in the Frankenstein series and definitely one of the more inventive ones. It's nice to see it in great condition here. Between the good technical aspects and artistic quality FCW is the most enjoyable in this set to watch. Actors: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir, David Chiang Directors: Terence Fisher, Roy Ward Baker Format: Color, NTSC Language: English Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.) Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 3