The Hound of Baskervilles and Rollerball
Company: Twilight Time
Starring:
Hounds: Miles Malleson, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing,
Andre Morell, Marla Landi, David Oxley, John LeMesurier
Rollerball: Ralph Richardson, James Caan, John Houseman,
Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating:
Hounds: 4 out of 5
Rollerball: 4 out of 5
Here is a double feature I am doing, two greats. One
mystery and one sci-fi. Two classic Drive-in style entertainment at its best. Twilight Time has honored two great and worthy films on new beautiful outlets of perfection.
First
up is THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1959), I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan but
most of all a huge Hammer film fan. Hammer studios or as I like to call it, The
Hammer House of Horrors. One of the greatest film studios of all time. Bringing
Vampires and mad men to the glory of the cinema world. Here is another one from
this classic studio that never gets the limelight it deserves and to me one of
their better films to praise.
The Hound of Baskervilles is directed by one of my top 10
horror directors of all time. Terrence Fisher. Fisher was a true one and kind icon that
I praise highly and mention often when talking about movies. His ultimate list
of films is beyond brilliant, my personal favorites The Curse of Frankenstein
(1957), Dracula (1958) aka Horror of Dracula (US), The Revenge of
Frankenstein (1958), The Mummy (1959), The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959),
The Stranglers of Bombay (1960), The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960), The Curse
of the Werewolf (1960), The Brides of Dracula (1960), The Phantom of the Opera
(1962), The Horror of It All (1963), The Gorgon (1964), The Earth Dies
Screaming (1965), Island of Terror (1966), Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), Frankenstein
Created Woman (1967), The Devil Rides Out (1968) aka The Devil's Bride (US), Frankenstein
Must Be Destroyed (1969), Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1973).
He was
a genius and a true master at just anything he touched. He is one of the
greatest iconic directors of all time in the horror world. Horror movies or drive-in cinema never
gets the honors or praise that certain films should get, and in my viewpoint any
picture Terrence Fisher was a part of, is worthy to praise in some way or
another.
Hammer started to stray from basic film plots toward 1953
when they adventured into, two Science Fiction films. Shortly after the trip
into science fiction, Hammer started their ultra-cool reality that most film
lovers know them for, and that's Horror. Besides Universal Horror they pretty
much are the gods of the early horror cinema. They showcase the very essence of
what the horror world was, and has become, or at least the beauty and birth of
horror cinema. My ultimate favorite horror series would be the many
Frankenstein films starring the one and only Peter Cushing. Many associate
Christopher Lee's Dracula roles, but I love the Frankenstein films the best. It
was The Curse of Frankenstein in 1957 that started the Horror movement. They
had done Sci-fi/Horror such as The Quatermass Experiment saga. With The Curse
of Frankenstein, it was the birth of a new reality for Hammer. Dracula did not
start Hammer Horror; the old resurrected Dead Man Frankenstein's monster did.
It was the first main stream to use colored blood and gore.
It created a massive following and the studio instantly became the one and only
Hammer House of Horror. Soon Hammer Horror owned the screens and they would run
rampant with vampires, mummies, knife using maniacs and legends, all done in
Hammer Horror style. Soon there would be countless followings by other studios
that wanted to make money on the ban wagon; there is only one Hammer. Sadly,
the Hammer Film studios that became the birthright to ultra-cool gory horror
faded away and went into hibernation after 1979 due to declining interest and
no new worthy ideas. They would produce TV series in 1980 and again in
1984, then hibernate again.
The studio that was so promising that started
the ultra-cool horror wave in 1957 only lasted a little over 20 years. In those
20 years many wonderful examples of fun, wild, gory classic horror films
birthed onto the screen like never before. Hammer owned the business for a very
long time. I grew up on all there re-runs. One of my favorite times growing up
was when Turner Classic Movies or TV channels would run month long Halloween
Marathons of all these classics.
Hammer was a vital part of my childhood and will always be
dear to my heart and my horror loving mind. I grew up with Peter Cushing,
Christopher Lee acting it up and Terence Fisher at the helm. I grew up with
Oliver Reed and Ingrid Pitt and vampire hunters, vampire circus' and lesbian
blood suckers. I grew up with the thickest, brightest red blood possible. From
werewolves to a Gorgon, my childhood in the horror world was awesome. So when I
adventure into Hammer films it brings out a wonderment inside me. The Hound of
Baskervilles is a prime and fun example of the beauty of Hammer Studio. This
film wonderfully details that classic retro style of mystery, suspense horror.
They always had amazing sets, costumes and interesting stories of bad guys and
good guys/gals and monsters.
Starring of the greatest icons to ever grace cinema, the one
and only Peter Cushing and the one of a kind master of terror Dracula himself
Christopher Lee. Cushing and Lee needs no introduction to anyone calling themselves a
movie lover. Both were the very definition of performance in no matter what
role they played. From drama, to horror, they were the gurus of cinema. Most
fans flock to their horror films as their trademarks, but Lee, and Cushing were
so much more than just horror actors. Lee and Cushing were skilled thespians.
The Hound of Baskervilles plot is complex and very
interesting. It’s one of my favorite Holmes stories. Dr. Mortimer tells
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson about the death of his friend Sir Charles Baskerville.
And about a so called curse. To make matters worse there is an escaped insane
criminal who has killed many women. Holmes is away on another case and so
Holmes puts Watson in charge. So begins mysteries’ happenings and could it
possibly be a curse of supernatural means. The Game is a Foot, there is murder in the
air and leave it to Mr. Holmes and his trusty side kick Watson to start the art
of deduction.
Next up is the sci-fi feature Rollerball.
Rollerball is the total opposite of The Hound of
Baskervilles. Rollerball is what I call a science fiction sports film. It’s a
unique blend of the future and an interesting concept of life. What is so weird
about it is the violent tones and the dystopian future. The setting is a game, kind
of like when in the old Roman days, the Gladiators fought for the masses of
people for entertainment. The setting this time is a Roller ring and teams
fight each other in a bloody, violent orgy of death and winning so that the people
can be anesthetized toward the violence taking place. It’s a far out, twisted
film with a futuristic brilliance about it. It’s very unique and one of those cult
status films. It’s a pure 70’s film and you can tell that it is. It’s a futuristic
telling of mankind's ultimate control and blood lust.
Starring the amazing James Caan who really needs no
introduction. He is one those brilliant performers that has acted in so many
great films. From The Godfather series, The Killer Elite, Thief, to my
personal favorite, the one and only 1990’s Misery. He has acted in so many
wonderful films from sci-fi, to comedy, to drama, and everything else. It’s great
watching him perform, and Rollerball is one of those great cult films to be
entertained by.
Rollerball also stars a true personal favorite of mine the
iconic legend of acting Ralph Richardson. You need look no further if you want
to see one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. He is what acting was
about. He gave everything, every ounce, every bit of his makeup, his soul, his
heart, his mind to his performances. He was what an actor was about. He became
acting in the human embodiment.
From one of his first performances 1933's The Ghoul to one
of his last in 84's Greystoke the Legend of Tarzan. He owned every piece of
cinema he was in. I personally will always remember him in two of my childhood
favorite films. First the very brilliant underrated fantasy film 81's Dragon
Slayer as the character Ulrich and the masterpiece of fantasy 81's Time Bandits
as the Supreme Being. He went above and beyond in everything he did. He was
what cinema was about. He was truly a brilliant and iconic actor that Graced
cinema in all his glory. He gave to the fans the very reality of movies period.
There is so many wonderful greats in Rollerball. John
Houseman, Maud Adams, the great John Beck, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley I could
go on and on. It’s just really great seeing so many wonderful performers on a
wonderful high quality transfer that Twilight Time has done.
Rollerball is directed by a one of kind brilliant director.
Norman Jewison. Jewison is to me the very essence of top quality movie making.
He mastered such greats, like one of my Top 50 films of all time, 1967’s In The
Heat of the Night. Also mastered 65’s
The Cincinnati Kid, 66’s The Russians are Coming, 68’s The Thomas Crown Affair,
71’s Fiddler on the Roof, 87’s Moonstruck, 99’s The Hurricane, I could go on
and on, he is a master at creating memorable film and Rollerball is one of
those.
Audio/Video:
My Rating:
Hounds: Audio 4.5 out of 5 Video: 4 out of 5
Rollerball: Audio 4.5 out of 5 Video: 4.5 out of 5
Hounds: LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.66:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Both Blu-ray’s are amazingly restored and in High Definition.
Both are must own Blu-ray’s for any lover of true classic sci-fi cinema or Hammer
Studios. Both films are must see, must own films. Hammer gave so much to the
cinema world and The Hound of Baskervilles is one of those examples. They
created a genera of cinema that fans have become a part of. Hammer has a cult
status and The Hound of Baskervilles belongs in that cult status of cinema.
The audio and video is just beautiful, and is a perfect example of how to treat
a film. Rollerball is no different, it to looks and sounds amazing. Rollerball
is a totally different picture than Hound, but each have a classic sense of
Drive-In, late night style of cinema that truly entertains and leaves a perfect
reality of entertainment.
Rollerball: LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA / English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras:
My Rating:
Hounds 5 out of 5
Rollerball: 5 out of 5
Hounds: Isolated Music & Effects Track. The music behind
this Hammer film is the very master of many Hammer movies. James Bernard
is basically a guru of Hammer Studios. He did so many of the films. He was a
true gifted composer that left so many haunting scores and entertaining music
that lingers with you as you are given a story inside the music itself. All one
has to do is list his resume of films. The Quatermass Xperiment, The Curse of
Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, The Kiss of the Vampire, The Gorgon, Dracula
Prince of Darkness, The Devil Rides out, you get my point. He created so many
tingling, fear inducing ear candy to go along with the darkened brilliance of
Hammer Studios.
Audio Commentary with Film Historians David Del Valle and
Steven Peros
Audio Commentary with Film Historians Paul Scrabo, Lee
Pfeiffer, and Hank Reineke
Actor’s Notebook: Christopher Lee. A great older program of
Christopher Lee talking about Sherlock Holmes. Running about 13 minutes.
Hound Mask Creator Margaret Robinson on The Hound of the
Baskervilles this is a great little over 14-minute interview with the mask
maker for the film.
Christopher Lee Reads Excerpts from The Hound of the Baskervilles. This is great hearing the legend Lee read out parts of the story running a
little over twenty minutes.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Rollerball: Isolated Score Track. The man behind the music
for this feature film is Andre Previn. Previn has worked on many films as
composer, or in the music department. He has graced the cinema world by working
on 64’s My Fair Lady, 58’s Gigi, and his music has been used on many soundtracks
to films and TV and projects. A great listen.
Audio Commentary with Director Norman Jewison. This was
really a great listen. Listening to the man behind the film is always a knowledgeable
treat. A perfect commentary.
Audio Commentary with Writer William Harrison. Another
fantastic listen to. Awesome that you get to hear the views from the writer
himself. Very educational for any film lover.
From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle, this is a little
over 7-minute classic feature on the film structuring on how the Roller games resembled
the gladiator style myths.
Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball. The is a little
over 25-minute feature on the film. Great interviews.
TV Spots
Original Theatrical Trailers
Overall:
These two Blu-ray’s are cinema perfection. Both imaginative
pieces of cinema. Lovingly transferred, and fixed, and beautified on a new
outlet of clarity. Both of these have 3,000 Unit pressing’s. These old school
pieces of science fiction bliss, and murder mystery should be sought out.
Twilight Time has done another amazing job on both of these films. Twilight Time Blu-ray, of both of these in my viewpoint should be owned.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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