Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man…we’re not talking about Universal.
These are the best Hammer horror had to offer!
Halloween is here, and if any movie company speaks to that classic Halloween aesthetic, its Hammer Films.
Back in the day, Hammer Films were thehorror moviesyour parents didnt want you to watch.
For now, let us focus on Eddie Powells Mummy in 1967sThe Mummys Shroud.
This film isnt one of Hammers finest.
read more: 13 Essential Mummy Movies
But man, does it feature one great looking lead monster.
And he looks profoundly terrifying doing it.
Rasputin
Rasputin the Mad Monk (1966)
I hear you.
But Christopher Lee isnt Russian!
He wasnt from Isengard either and I didnt hear you bitching whenFellowship of the Ringcame out so shhhh.
Russian or not, Lees portrayal of Rasputin was glorious.
And its Hammer, so you know the courts and ladies of Russia look absolutely amazing.
FishersBrides of Draculawas a direct sequel to Hammers originalDracula, but with one thing missing Dracula.
Baron Meinster (Meinster = monster, get it?
In fact, Meinster came closer to killing Van Helsing thanDraculaever did.
In one unforgettable moment, Meinster succeeds in biting Van Helsing.
The vampire hunter has to sear his wound shut with fire to avoid becoming one of Meinsters minions.
Meister was such a cool monster that he carries another monsters movie.
When Meinster ran into the cross shadow, that was it for the keeper of Draculas brides.
The Phantom
Phantom of the Opera (1962)
Hey look, another Terrence Fisher movie.
The Gorgon
The Gorgon (1964)
You know what the Universal cycle of horror films didnt have?
A freakin medusa, thats what.
But Hammer did in its 1964 pot-boilerThe Gorgon.
Directed by the great Terrence Fisher (again!
So heres to the Gorgon, one of horrors true leading ladies.
In a Hammer film!
But in Hammers daringDr.
Whatever the case,Dr.
Mummy
The Mummy (1959)
Hey, look a Terrence Fisher film, Im shocked!
Said nobody ever when looking back at Hammer.
Just watch the Mummys epic death sequence.
Lees stiff movements and eye darting threating glares are high art, making this Mummy one of the greats.
Lee brings the make up to life with jerking body movements and unrivaled power.
In fact, Oliver Reeds werewolf is even more bestial than Lon Chaney Jr.s tragic creature.
And look at that creature makeup.
And it all came alive thanks to Reeds monsters animalistic intensity.
Bark at the moon, baby!
But with his sheer charismatic dynamism and intense sexuality, Lee did it.
Has there ever been a greater pair of protagonist/antagonists than Lees Dracula and Cushings Van Helsing?
The answer to that is a blood curdling no.
No, were not mad, but Peter Cushings Doctor Frankenstein sure is.
So mad, that he is indeed the greatest monster in Hammer history.
And those he murders usually end up sewed together in some kind of grotesque parody of life.
