Everyone who knows me, knows that I have a lifelong love of the Classic Gothic Films from Hammer Studios. I grew up watching them on my old 13” black and white TV on Channel 13. I waited patiently every Saturday and Sunday afternoon for the Classics to Air. Channel 13 showed everything from Godzilla and Creature From the Black Lagoon, to the Universal Classics, Frankenstein and Dracula. But it was the Hammer movies that really spoke to me.
I was always drawn in by the mesmerizing titles and became addicted to the intriguing storylines, rich costumes, and gothic sets used by Bray Studios. During the 60s and early 70s Hammer defined the Horror Genre as we know it. Here is my top ten list of Hammer Films…Yes, I left out a lot great movies. It was so hard to narrow this list down, but here it is…
10-The Twins of Evil
When orphaned, two beautiful Twins go to live with their puritanical and witch-finding Uncle Gustav, played by Peter Cushing. It doesn’t take long for the local Vampire to seduce them…
9-The Vampire Lovers
Ah… my favorite movie starring Ingrid Pitt. She plays the Voluptuous Marcalla who seduces everyone around her…
8-Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde
Leave it to Hammer to come up with such an original spin on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by having a beautiful woman play the Evil Hyde…
7-The Gorgon
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee soon find out that women will mess with your head, break your heart, and maybe even turn you to stone!
6-The Reptile
Definitely one of my favorite storylines from Hammer about a Snakewoman that stalks a small village by the moors at night…
5-The Plague of the Zombies
In a small Village in Cornwall, the Dead are coming back to life. Bodies of the recently dead are disappearing and suddenly reappearing as mindless Zombies. There is an amazing scene of Zombies rising out of their graves…
4-Devil Rides Out
Christopher Lee plays the Hero in this movie about a Satanic Cult. The movie is an excellent suspenseful Thriller…
3-The Curse of the Werewolf
Oliver Reed plays such a convincing role of a heartbroken Werewolf. I really felt sorry for the Werewolf that suffered such terrible self-hatred…
2-The Curse of Frankenstein
What makes this movie truly special is Cushing’s performance as the Evil Dr. Frankenstein. The film focuses more on the good Dr. than the Monster played by Christopher Lee.
1-Horror of Dracula
And I saved the best for last…Christopher lee as Dracula and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing in the Horror of Dracula. I just love when Van Helsing runs across that table!
So there you have it, my Favorite Hammer movies. Some honorable mentions would be Captain Kronos the Vampire Hunter and The Mummy. Which Hammer classics are your favorites?
Nice list, DG.
Great list. I’ve yet to see The Reptile. Definitely have to add that to my list!