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Warner Brothers recently released the The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) 4K UHD. Read on to find out more about it...

[ SYNOPSIS ]

Driven by obsession and defying the laws of nature, Baron Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) dares to reanimate the dead, creating not just life, but a monstrous force (Christopher Lee) beyond his control. As his experiments spiral into madness, Frankenstein must confront the consequences of playing God in a world unprepared for the horrors he unleashes.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in several different aspect ratios - 1.66:1 (as seen in UK theaters), 1.37:1 (open matte, as originally filmed), and 1.85:1 (as seen in US theaters) - all with a runtime of 1:23:304. The movie has not been rated. Audio languages include English (in original Mono and new 5.1). Subtitle languages include English, French, Italian, Spanish, German.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found on the noted discs. The first two are 4K discs, while the third is a Blu-ray disc. Do note that despite saying "+ Blu-ray" on the cover, there is no Blu-ray copy of the film. The included Blu-ray disc only has special features on it. Each commentary is only available for a specific version of the film.

• DISC 1: Audio Commentary - with film critic Kim Newman, author Barry Forshaw, and author Stephen Jones; newly recorded in 2025. Only available for the 1.66:1 cropped version of the film.
• DISC 1: Audio Commentary - with authors Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby; originally recorded in 2012. Only available for the 1.37:1 open matte version of the film.
• DISC 1: Beside the Seaside (50:17) - Recorded at the UK's Whitstable Museum and Gallery during an exhibit celebrating the legacy of Peter Cushing, this is a conversation with author Wayne Kinsey and actress Madeline Smith.
• DISC 1: Reviving The Curse of Frankenstein (8:11) - Comments from Mark Stanborough (head of restoration at Hammer Films), Anthony Badger (head of restoration at Silver Salt Restoration), and Ray King (colourist at Silver Salt) about Warner's new restoration of the film.
• DISC 1: Alternative Eyeball Scene (1:11) - This scene was modified to remove the disturbing eyeball closeup and instead fades directly to Victor holding his magnifying glass.
• DISC 1: Original UK Theatrical Trailer (2:19)
• DISC 1: UK Censor Card (0:11)
• DISC 2: Audio Commentary - with filmmaker/historian Constantine Nasr and screenwriter/historian Steve Haberman; originally recorded in 2020. Only available for the 1.85:1 cropped version of the film.
• DISC 2: Audio Commentary - with film historians Heidi Honeycutt and Toby Roan; newly recorded in 2025. Only available for the 1.85:1 cropped version of the film.
• DISC 2: Recreating the Creature (34:41) - Lou Elsey and makeup artist Dave Elsey recreate Phil Leakey's iconic Frankie facade on actor James Swanton.
• DISC 2: A Fitting Vocation (10:11) - A tribute to long-time Hammer costume designer Molly Arbuthnot by professor Melanie Bell and the British Film Institute's Jo Botting.
• DISC 2: Topped and Tailed (16:21) - An interview with actor Melvyn Hayes (young Victor) who, along with Melanie Bell and Jo Botting, pay respect to Molly Arbuthnot and her uncredited costume work on The Curse of Frankenstein and other Hammer films.
• DISC 2: Good or Tuesday? (39:06) - A piece on screenwriter Jimmy Sangster and his journey through the production ranks at Hammer to become one of the studio's key creative contributors.
• DISC 2: Painting with Fine Brushes (11:49) - Writer/publisher Dick Klemensen provides a tribute to long-time Hammer cinematographer Jack Asher.
• DISC 2: A Gothic Tribute to Frankenstein (24:15) - Screenwriter Stephen Volk talks about Mary Shelley's original novel, its various film adaptations, and the legacy of The Curse of Frankenstein.
• DISC 2: Image Gallery (13:48) - A extensive collection of posters, lobby cards, magazine ads, still photos, and other printed materials from around the world set to music from the film.
• DISC 3: Frankenstein Reborn (34:45) - This 2012 featurette covers the making of the film via earlier interviews with actor Melvyn Hayes, Hammer experts Denis Meikle and Jonathan Rigby, and James Bernard's biographer David Huckvale.
• DISC 3: Life With Sir (12:31) - This 2012 featurette is a tribute to Peter Cushing by his secretary and long-time friend, Joyce Broughton.
• DISC 3: The Resurrection Men: Hammer, Frankenstein and the Rebirth of the Horror Film (21:51) - This chat with Richard Klemensen covers his lifelong appreciation for the genre and The Curse of Frankenstein's impact in the 1950s horror landscape.
• DISC 3: Hideous Progeny: The Curse of Frankenstein and the English Gothic Tradition (22:49) - Historian Christopher Frayling gives a history lesson on Gothic horror.
• DISC 3: Torrents of Light: The Art of Jack Asher (15:14) - Cinematographer David J. Miller heads a tribute to English cinematographer Jack Asher.
• DISC 3: Diabolus in Musica: James Bernard and the Sound of Hammer Horror (17:05) - A tribute to composer James Bernard by composer Christopher Drake.
• DISC 3: 8mm Cutdown (10:35) - This is an abridged version of the film.

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

No digital copy code voucher is included inside the standard three-disc black 4K UHD case. A slipcover is included, though.

[ NOTES ]

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD. A Gothic horror classic classic that still holds up today. RECOMMENDED.

This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.