The last gasp of Hammer

pacey79

I have read the other reviews and pretty much agree with the comments, be they negative or positive. But what you have to appreciate, is that for some of us, these superb, very British mini horror films are a huge nostalgia trip.
Like one of the other reviewers, I first saw these at a tender age (I must have been about 8) and they have really stuck with me into middle age!
I still see a Werewolf at my window every time I pull the curtains in the dark! (Children Of The Full Moon) I still imagine that on the other side of my bedroom door stands the guy that was previously shot and buried in the woods! (A Visitor From The Grave) When driving at night, I still see glimpses of the sinister figure in the yellow mac! (The Two Faces Of Evil).
I used to somehow manage to watch them each week without my parents realising quite how scary they would have been!
So, back to the perspective of today. The 13 films are defiantly a mixed bag, most are hits but there are a few misses. They are all still worth your time though.
I would rate them in the following order, (1. being my favourite.)
1. The House That Bled To Death
2. The Two Faces Of Evil
3. Children Of The Full Moon
4. Charlie Boy
5. The Silent Scream
6. The Mark Of Satan
7. Rude Awakening
8. A Visitor From The Grave
9. Guardian Of The Abyss
10. The Thirteenth Reunion
11. Growing Pains
12. Witching Time
13. The Carpathian Eagle
To be honest apart from the last 3, they are all really good and there's not much between them.
Yes, they do look dated now, but there are some great stories in there and some great performances from the likes of Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliot, Diana Dors, Christopher Cazenove and Simon MacCorkindale, plus a pretty ropey one by Pierce Brosnan!
Despite being 40 years old now these films are still very effective at building a sense of dread and un ease in what start off as normal everyday situations.
I think this is where they work, taking the everyday and spiralling into your worst nightmare!
If you are into splatter fest's and torture, then these films are not for you.
But, if you like your horror a bit more subtle, with solid tales that stay in your sub conscience for life and lurk in your nightmares (as all the best horror should), then you wont be disappointed!

score 10/10

pacey79 6 May 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5713822/