Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #323174 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 356 pages

Customer Reviews

A Remarkable Story of Hammer Films
A very well researched book on Hammer films during its time at the famous Bray Studios near Windsor. Contains many wonderful facts and figures behind the tremendous work by the Hammer production team in bringing to the cinema during the 1950s and early 1960s many fine films which are considered classics today. The mind boggles when you consider the average Hammer movie cost less that £100.000 to make in those days when one thinks of the muti million dollar productions which seem to be the norm today. Much credit must go to the Hammer production team in achieving a remarkable success. Many of the famous movies produced then are given the full treatment here; Quatermass, Frankenstein, and Dracula of course. Did you know for example that the same sets were used for both Dracula and The Revenge of Frankenstein films? All the designers did was swap the furniture around, and change the curtains! If you are a movie buff and is interested in the making of Hammer films, then you must read this. Many good photos as well. A very good all round reference work.

Essential title for the Hammer enthusiast
I bought this book a good two or three years ago, and have hardly put it down. I still regularly delve into it to sample the wealth of original research, fascinating trivia and excellent illustrations. For me, the highlight was the rarely seen collection of photos from the Bray Studios backlot, tracing its transformation through dozens of productions between 1956 and 1967, when Hammer departed for Elstree.

A must-have, along with its sequel, The Elstree Studios Years.

A history of Hammers golden age
If you are like me and have a great affection for Hammers most productive period then this book is a must for any collection.This book covers the years from 1953 to 1966 when Hammer took up residence in a run down country house in Berkshire and turned it into a studio from which came the best films they made.This concise and well researched book tells you about the beginnings of Hammers rise to legendary status with history about each film that was made there,including comments from the BBFC archives about the problems with censorship that plagued the studios output.

Also contained inside is information of each production from conception to release with a wealth of photos and comments from the people who worked there.

This book was written by Wayne Kinsey who produces the excellent magazine The House That Hammer Built and has created a great tribute to the people who produced some of the most enduring films Britain ever produced.Recommended!