Disc News: Hammer’s Dracula: Prince of Darkness bites into Blu-ray

Disc Announcements

Hammer Horror gets more Blu-ray action with the arrival of Dracula: Prince of Darkness in September. The English studio had dominated the fright world in the ’60s with their brand of scares and grotesque images. Christopher Lee became a true rival to Bela Lugosi when it came to wearing Dracula’s cape. After the success of The Horror of Dracula, Lee stuck to portraying other creatures of the night for several years. But in 1966, he inserted his fangs for Dracula: Prince of Darkness. The film was a success and Lee would return to the character a few more times. The upcoming Blu-ray promises to bring out the cobwebs and mist with the extra resolution and fresh bonus features. Here’s the press release from Millennium Entertainment:

Beverly Hills, CA– (July 3, 2013) Millennium Entertainment is pleased to reveal the final artwork and announce details for their upcoming high-definition release of the classic 1966 Hammer Film, DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS on September 3rd. Directed by Terence Fisher and starring the iconic Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley and Andrew Keir, Millennium’s Collector’s Edition of Dracula: Prince of Darkness marks the first time that horror fans in the US will be able to enjoy the film on Blu-ray. Millennium is also planning to release several other Hammer Films on Blu-ray later this year including QUARTERMASS AND THE PIT, THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES and THE DEVIL RIDES OUT.

Special features for the Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray of DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS include an exclusive still gallery (never before released), audio commentary featuring Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Suzan Farmer and Francis Matthews, Super 8MM behind-the-scenes footage, a restored original trailer, “Back to Black”- a brand new documentary on Dracula: Prince of Darkness and much more.

In this direct sequel to Hammer’s DRACULA (1958), Christopher Lee returns for more blood as he encounters a group of stranded English tourists who are holidaying in the Carpathian Mountains. Despite receiving several warnings by the unconventional Father Sandor (Andrew Keir) along their travels to stay as far away from the Count’s castle as they can, the group end up stranded there where their host is set to be resurrected upon their arrival. Will the travelers survive their fateful meeting with DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS?

Special Features:

• Audio commentary with Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Suzan Farmer and Francis Matthews

• Exclusive still gallery (NEVER BEFORE RELEASED!)

• Restored original trailer

• Dracula: Prince of Darkness restoration comparison

• Super 8MM behind-the-scenes footage

• Brand new documentary- “Back to Black”

• World of Hammer Episode: “Hammer Stars: Christopher Lee”

• Printed Memorabilia perfect for every classic Hammer fan out there

Available at Amazon.com.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.