Blu-ray Review – Hammer: Héros, Légendes et Monstres (2024)

      **Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, 2024**

      Directed by Benjamin Field.

      Starring Valerie Leon, Tim Burton, John Landis, Joe Dante, John Carpenter, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Madeline Smith, John Gore, Jonathan Rigby, Wayne Kinsey, and Axelle Carolyn.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      This documentary highlights Hammer Films through the perspectives of its actors, filmmakers, and fans, tracing the studio's history. From the iconic golden age of the 1950s to the 1970s, to a brief revival in the 2010s that included films like *The Woman in Black*, and the recent involvement of John Gore with exceptional box sets, Hammer Films resonates with audiences as a brand that reliably delivers entertainment. While not every film released under this banner was a masterpiece, there was comfort in seeing familiar faces like Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing clash in scripts by Jimmy Sangster and directed by Terence Fisher—much like a comforting blanket.

      However, it was not just these prominent names that defined the studio; the recurring cast and crew names in the credits year after year signaled a team of dedicated professionals invested in the filmmaking process—a family, if you will. *Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters* is a timely documentary that recounts how Hammer began as a literal family business, founded in 1934 by comedian-turned-businessman William Hinds.

      This documentary is particularly well-timed, as younger fans introduced to Hammer through its more recent endeavors may not know the company’s origins or key figures from its early days. The film does illustrate that history without excessive detail, opting not to provide a comprehensive overview of the movies or an analysis of early stars like André Morell or Paul Henreid. Instead, it tells how Hinds collaborated with former cinema owner Enrique Carreras to guide Hammer through the war and into the 1950s, where their sons, Anthony Hinds and James Carreras, became central figures, with James’ son Michael taking over in the company's later years.

      Yet, our focus is on the heroes and monsters referenced in the title, a narrative that truly began with the release of *The Curse of Frankenstein* in 1957, which brought Cushing and Lee together for their first screen adventure and significantly impacted the British film industry. However, those looking for an in-depth background on that film should seek out the extensive 4K UHD set that Hammer released last year, as this documentary lacks that focus.

      In fact, the film doesn't delve deeply into any specific movies; rather, it highlights key creative figures, including director Terence Fisher, composer James Bernard, and make-up artist Phil Leakey. Since many of the original contributors are no longer alive, surviving Hammer legends Caroline Munro, Madeline Smith, and Martine Beswick share their limited recollections from the studio's later years, which may not yield much substance as each appeared in only a few films.

      To fill in the gaps, interviews with celebrity fans such as John Carpenter, Joe Dante, Tim Burton, John Landis, and Axelle Carolyn, as well as Hammer experts Jonathan Rigby, Wayne Kinsey, and John Gore himself, are included. However, there aren’t many new insights for die-hard Hammer fans, which may make the documentary somewhat disappointing. The focus on Michael Carreras, whose decisive actions sustained the company through challenges but also foreshadowed its decline in the mid-1970s amid the rise of grittier American horror like *The Exorcist* and *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, raises questions about the film’s target audience. Dedicated Hammer enthusiasts are likely already familiar with this information, while newcomers might find it lacks sufficient individual movie discussions or notable reference points to encourage further exploration of titles.

      For those fortunate enough to acquire the excellent *The Curse of Frankenstein* box set, the 1994 documentary *Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror* is included as a bonus, offering a more comprehensive look at the studio's impact on British horror. It benefited from the participation of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, who provided their insights during its narration, which may place *Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters* as more of a supplementary piece. Additionally, as it does not address the studio's trajectory from the 2000s onwards, it adds little new information to existing material.

      Presented in an appealing two-disc set, the first disc offers extended interviews and a revised version of the film narrated by Valerie Leon, and notably omits the controversial AI-generated voice of Peter Cushing from its original broadcast on Sky Arts. That initial version, featuring AI Cushing and narrated by Charles Dance, can be found on the second disc, along with a humorous behind-the-scenes segment showcasing Madeline Smith's laughter-filled attempt to share a story about sex education, alongside other outtakes.

      In conclusion, *Hammer: Heroes, Legends and