Do you know if the full uncensored version was ever shown in British cinemas or was it chopped before release ? I have an old lobby card for the film with an 'A' certificate after the title . I have seen the version with the nudity recently and I agree with you that it seems a bit out of place in a film that generally is more family friendly than the later 'Creatures the World Forgot ' or even 'One Million Years BC' .
While not being the most original horror movie ever made this is still an enjoyable enough romp . The Mummy does not start to kick up a fuss until about half way through the proceedings but makes quite an impression when he does . The final scene in the sewers is effective and memorable .
I am gradually working my way through the region 1 'Icons of Suspense' DVD collection and was particuarly looking forward to seeing this one as I had never seen it before and it is about the
only one in the set that definately falls into the horror category . However , I found it rather disappointing and uninvolving . There are no real visual shock moments despite a few twists in the story and Carreras allows the first half of the film to plod along at a snail's pace ,once the rather nasty opening scene is over . If the ending were exciting then this would be forgivable but I found it all a bit of a yawn up to the very end . There is also rather a lot of intrusive jazzy music which often destroys any sense of suspense or menace by being far too upbeat in tone .
The actors do their best with the material on offer but it just is not in the same class as 'Paranoiac' , a much better example of Hammer pychological horror . The set however is well worth getting as you also get 5 other rare films and I have enjoyed the other 2 I have so far watched , 'Stop Me Before I Kill ' and 'The Snorkel'.
One of the best in the Lee Dracula series well directed by Freddie Francis . The final scene of Dracula impaled on a giant crucifix is one of the most memorable in any Hammer film . It probably would have been even better with Cushing involved .
A rather disappointing effort considering all the talent involved . Cushing's performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham is the best thing about the film but other than that it is all rather laboured and uninspired . Not a complete disaster by any means but no great shakes either . The later 'A Challenge for Robin Hood' is actually a lot more fun .
Compelling historical horror . The scenes of verbal conflict between Ingrid Pitt and Nigel Green are particuarly well done ,although Pitt's voice was dubbed over by another actress for some inexplicable reason . Hammer virgins be aware though that the title is misleading as the film is totally unrelated to the rest of the Dracula series
Wonderful utilisation of the skills of Ray Harryhausen by Hammer . I read somewhere that Hammer were planning a remake of 'King Kong 'soon after making this film , again with Harryhausen , but it never got off the ground . That would have been fascinating!
chris gough
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04 Sep 2011, 7:37pm
Do you know if the full uncensored version was ever shown in British cinemas or was it chopped before release ? I have an old lobby card for the film with an 'A' certificate after the title . I have seen the version with the nudity recently and I agree with you that it seems a bit out of place in a film that generally is more family friendly than the later 'Creatures the World Forgot ' or even 'One Million Years BC' .
Related to: When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970)
chris gough
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15 May 2011, 7:06pm
While not being the most original horror movie ever made this is still an enjoyable enough romp . The Mummy does not start to kick up a fuss until about half way through the proceedings but makes quite an impression when he does . The final scene in the sewers is effective and memorable .
Related to: The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb (1964)
chris gough
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07 Mar 2011, 12:04am
I am gradually working my way through the region 1 'Icons of Suspense' DVD collection and was particuarly looking forward to seeing this one as I had never seen it before and it is about the only one in the set that definately falls into the horror category . However , I found it rather disappointing and uninvolving . There are no real visual shock moments despite a few twists in the story and Carreras allows the first half of the film to plod along at a snail's pace ,once the rather nasty opening scene is over . If the ending were exciting then this would be forgivable but I found it all a bit of a yawn up to the very end . There is also rather a lot of intrusive jazzy music which often destroys any sense of suspense or menace by being far too upbeat in tone . The actors do their best with the material on offer but it just is not in the same class as 'Paranoiac' , a much better example of Hammer pychological horror . The set however is well worth getting as you also get 5 other rare films and I have enjoyed the other 2 I have so far watched , 'Stop Me Before I Kill ' and 'The Snorkel'.
chribio1
29 May 2011, 2:10pm
I've also recently purchased the same DVD set. I found Never Take Sweets From A Stranger to be excellent.
Related to: Maniac (1963)
chris gough
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01 Mar 2011, 10:11pm
A great opening episode from Hammer's best and most underrated television series .
Related to: Eve (1968)
chris gough
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21 Feb 2011, 10:26pm
Depressing more than thrilling . Worth seeing once but you probably will not want to revisit it .
Related to: Straight On Till Morning (1972)
chris gough
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20 Feb 2011, 11:54pm
One of the best in the Lee Dracula series well directed by Freddie Francis . The final scene of Dracula impaled on a giant crucifix is one of the most memorable in any Hammer film . It probably would have been even better with Cushing involved .
Related to: Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)
chris gough
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20 Feb 2011, 11:44pm
Great fun and a rather impressive adventure tale , despite the lack of familiar hammer talents involved in its making .
Related to: A Challenge For Robin Hood (1967)
chris gough
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20 Feb 2011, 11:39pm
A rather disappointing effort considering all the talent involved . Cushing's performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham is the best thing about the film but other than that it is all rather laboured and uninspired . Not a complete disaster by any means but no great shakes either . The later 'A Challenge for Robin Hood' is actually a lot more fun .
Related to: Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)
chris gough
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20 Feb 2011, 1:07am
Compelling historical horror . The scenes of verbal conflict between Ingrid Pitt and Nigel Green are particuarly well done ,although Pitt's voice was dubbed over by another actress for some inexplicable reason . Hammer virgins be aware though that the title is misleading as the film is totally unrelated to the rest of the Dracula series
Related to: Countess Dracula (1971)
chris gough
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20 Feb 2011, 12:53am
Wonderful utilisation of the skills of Ray Harryhausen by Hammer . I read somewhere that Hammer were planning a remake of 'King Kong 'soon after making this film , again with Harryhausen , but it never got off the ground . That would have been fascinating!
Related to: One Million Years B.C. (1966)