Film News
Hammer’s Dracula Returns To The Big Screen In 4K In Selected Cinemas In The UK
The Count Is Back On The Big Screen
The time is nigh…After more than six decades, the Count returns looking better than ever in the cut the censors tried to bury. Dracula, Hammer’s definitive horror classic, now restored in stunning 4K will be released in cinemas from 16th October…
Featuring material previously seen only during the film’s original Japanese theatrical run, Dracula has been painstakingly restored by Hammer Films and Silver Salt Restoration in partnership with Warner Bros.
This October’s release in over 100 cinemas across the UK will offer audiences the chance to experience Christopher Lee’s unforgettable portrayal of Count Dracula and Peter Cushing’s iconic Van Helsing in stunning new detail, complete with a brand new 5.1 surround sound mix and an exclusive look behind the scenes at this landmark restoration.
A list of the sites playing the film is available HERE
Hammer Films changed horror cinema forever as Christopher Lee’s unmistakable profile loomed at the top of a dark staircase before declaring, “I am Dracula”. Lee’s performance redefined the vampire on screen for generations, introducing the bloodshot eyes, predatory fangs and visceral physicality that became the blueprint for modern vampire mythology and whose influence can still be seen across horror cinema today.
Hammer’s Dracula marked only the second on-screen pairing of legendary horror icons Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, further establishing one of the most celebrated rivalries in cinema history. Opposite Lee’s commanding and terrifying Count Dracula, Cushing delivered what remains widely regarded as the definitive classic screen portrayal of Professor Van Helsing, a fearless, intelligent and relentlessly driven vampire hunter. Upon its original 1958 release, the film’s intense violence, heightened sensuality and striking use of colour proved so provocative that it was deemed too shocking for audiences.
This distinctive blend of gothic storytelling, bold visual style, vivid colour, practical effects and atmospheric sound would go on to define what audiences would come to expect from a Hammer horror.
Written by Jimmy Sangster, directed by Terence Fisher, scored by James Bernard, with production design by Bernard Robinson, and effects and matte paintings by Les Bowie, Dracula is a convergence of Hammer’s key creative talents, effectively cementing the studio’s iconic gothic style.
ABOUT HAMMER FILMS
Founded in 1934, Hammer Films is the legendary British production company that redefined gothic horror on screen, captivating audiences around the world with iconic classics including Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein and The Mummy. Acquired by producer John Gore in 2023 and now part of John Gore Studios, Hammer is honouring its extraordinary legacy through award-winning 4K restorations and definitive home entertainment releases, while expanding its reach with Hammer Presents – a curated label championing the very best in horror cinema.
Hammer is also entering an exciting new era with an ambitious slate of original film and television productions to bring Hammer horror to new generations, alongside a growing range of consumer products, publishing and live experiences. Nearly a century after its founding, Hammer remains dedicated to creating unforgettable, thrilling entertainment for global fans.
For more information on Hammer Films, please visit www.hammerfilms.com
ABOUT JOHN GORE STUDIOS
John Gore Studios is a global film, television and entertainment studio headquartered in London with offices in New York. Founded by award-winning producer John Gore – recipient of 27 Tony Awards®, two Emmy Awards®, two Olivier Awards and a Variety500 honouree – the company builds on the legacy of the John Gore Organization, a leading force in Broadway and live entertainment.
The fully integrated, self-financing studio creates meaningful entertainment with artistic integrity and lasting cultural and commercial impact. Developing, producing, acquiring, restoring and distributing premium content for worldwide audiences, the studio champions ambitious storytelling, cinematic heritage, creative excellence and innovation.
Its growing slate includes My Duchess (directed by Mike Newell, starring Joan Collins and Isabella Rossellini), Ithaqua (directed by Casey Walker, starring Luke Hemsworth), The Queen of Fashion (written and directed by Alex Marx, starring Andrea Riseborough), Frank and Percy (directed by Sean Mathias, starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam), Onwards and Sideways (directed by John Madden, starring Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney), and The Return of Stanley Atwell (written and directed by Brian Welsh, starring Nicholas Galitzine and Ella Purnell).
John Gore Studios brings together a portfolio of specialist companies spanning production, restoration, IP catalogues, technology, costumiers, sales and distribution, including Angels Costumes, Deep Fusion, Hammer Films, Hilltop Screen, Icon Film Distribution, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, Silver Salt Restoration and Tyburn Films. Together, these businesses provide a fully integrated studio ecosystem. John Gore Studios also invests in the creative and cultural infrastructure that underpins the entertainment industry, preserving specialist craftsmanship while advancing the talent, technology and capabilities that will shape the future of storytelling.
ABOUT SILVER SALT RESTORATION
Silver Salt Restoration is the UK’s leading restoration and preservation studio, set up in 2017 by passionate industry veterans Mark Bonnici, Steve Bearman, Anthony Badger, Ray King and Nick Pannaman. With state-of-the-art bespoke equipment and its highly experienced team of technicians, the company is known for its expertise in preserving and remastering some of film and television’s most important and culturally significant works. The studio has worked with cinematic talent including the legendary Terry Gilliam (Time Bandits), Anthony Richmond (Don’t Look Now), Mike Hodges (Get Carter) Marco Brambilla (Demolition Man), Phil Méheux (The Long Good Friday), Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers), Walter Hill (The Warriors), Tang Shu Shuen (The Arch), and Malek Akkad (The Message, Lion of the Desert). Remastered titles include The Curse of Frankenstein, The Dollars Trilogy, The Lady Killers and Clash of the Titans. Now part of John Gore Studios, the studio continues to set the standard in film care and restoration, preserving the legacy of cinematic history.
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