Can anyone simplfiy Hammer Horror films for me?

[invincyble]

They have such a vast library of horror movies and i have only seen 2, but when I saw the news about the 6 disc set i figured this would be a good time to get into the movies
Some basic questions:

Are the many versions of the movies on dvd? (reissues and whatnot)
Do they look good picture wise? What of the Sound?
what ones are considered to be the best?
How many are there? Any site that break down Hammer movies?
Is it better to watch certain ones in order? (dracula has to die before "dracula rises again" right?)
Are more sets being planned? with so many movies i'd rather collect them in boxes at good prices

feel free to answer any you know, or all if you know that much, and I'm sure ill be back with more questions, later

[NotaNumber]

You will find this useful. It contains links to disc reviews.

Hammer Filmography

[invincyble]

thanks anyone else?

[Julian K]

This seems like a good time to plug my Hammer DVD Guide

[Quisp]

This is unrelated, but, Im wondering if any of you Hammer buffs might have an answer to this question.
Quite frankly, Im not even sure if its a Hammer film.
Anyway, Im 38, and for the longest time, Ive been trying to find the name of a horror film I saw as a kid on tv.

I think, Peter Cushing was in it. I know he had a small role when he appeared in the end.
Anyway, the hazy visuals I can remember from 25+ years ago when I saw it are these:

Film opens up with a carriage ride at night to some castle. There are bodies hanging from trees.
I think the title had the word Seven in it?
I remember someone getting chased in a corridor, only to have the floor start to open up with a pit of snakes below.
I think Cushing (could have been Lee) was a vampire who was brought back to life in the end.

If anyone knows the name of the pic from these lousy clues, I'll die. lol

[PALMERLIME]

Originally Posted by Quisp

think, Peter Cushing was in it. I know he had a small role when he appeared in the end.
Anyway, the hazy visuals I can remember from 25+ years ago when I saw it are these:

Film opens up with a carriage ride at night to some castle. There are bodies hanging from trees.
I think the title had the word Seven in it?
I remember someone getting chased in a corridor, only to have the floor start to open up with a pit of snakes below.
I think Cushing (could have been Lee) was a vampire who was brought back to life in the end.

The only film that comes to mind is The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires.

I wish I could say for certain, for I DO own it, however I have not gotten around to watching it. When I get home I'll pop it in and take a look to be certain...

[Charlie & Tex]

...(or 7 Brothers Meet Dracula, in the shorter American release) is indeed the movie you are thinking of.

Peter Cushing plays Van Helsing once again. Playing Dracula is in the imposing (if slightly camp) John Forbes-Robertson, in which he trasfers his soul into the body of a Chinese peasent and becomes a vampiric warlord.

Cushing was very pleased at spending key stretches of the movie sitting in a chair, but the old boy was still able to deliver the vanquishing goods when required.

Some fetching nudity (full-frontal oriental, we believe. Mmmm...full-frontal oriental...) and a number of well-exectuted action sequences make this an entertaining romp, but still a bit of a disappointment.

The wonderfully atmospheric opening sequence is an enticing taster for the awesome movie it could have been.

[Quisp]

I dont think thats the one Im thinking of. I defintely dont recall any Kung Fu in it, much less ANY chinese characters, but, I'll check it out, as its been some time.

Besides, I saw it on TV around 1970-73, therefore it had to have been made pre-1970. I think it was B&W, but, not sure about that. Funny how certain things leave lasting impressions as a kid

[Charlie & Tex]

...a toughie to be sure, but the only one we can come up with is an obscure Euro movie from 1959 made to cash in the huge success of Dracula (see also Horror of Dracula) called Hard Times for the Vampire (aka My Uncle, the Vampire).

Buggered if we can pin it down...

[Quisp]

heh, yeah, its been driving me crazy for 30 years!
I did a filmography for Cushing, but, didnt find any film notes that sounded like the film Im looking for.
Then, I did it for Lee.
The Synopsis in the RottenTomatoes link, practically hit it on the head for me. It HAS to be it.
The timeframe could be right.

Schlangengrube und das Pendel, Die (1967) .... Count Frederic Regula, Graf von Andomai
... aka Blood Demon, The (1967) (USA)
... aka Castle of the Walking Dead (1967)
... aka Pendulum (1967)
... aka Snake Pit and the Pendulum, The (1967)
... aka Snake Pit, The (1967) (video title)
... aka Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism, The (1967) (USA: TV title)
... aka Torture Room, The (1967)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/...=1&rid=1224465

http://www.rumourmachine.com/Reviews...lking_Dead.htm