CHRISTOPHER LEE'S MOST CELEBRATED (NON-DRACULA) FILM ROLE, AND THE (SORT OF) SEQUEL TO "THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT" ARRIVE ON BLU-RAY DISC!
I really need to sit down and watch more classic Hammer flicks - to date, I've only seen maybe two dozen of them! And thanks to the continued efforts of Scream Factory, it seems that I'll be able to watch the bulk of Hammer's Horror and Sci-Fi offerings on Blu-ray disc before by the time 2021 rolls around!
Speaking of which, today Scream Factory unleashed two new Hammer Blus: RASPUTIN - THE MAD MONK, features Christopher Lee as the title character! I have not seen this one yet, but I have frequently heard that this was perhaps Lee's finest performance ever, second only to his famous reccuring role as Dracula! X... THE UNKNOWN is yet another Hammer title that has evaded me. While more of a sci-fi tale (which was supposed to be the first sequel to THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT), this film features scientists battling a radioactive subterranean terror!
If either of these sound enticing to you (and they should) then continue onward to learn all the details of these two new Scream Factory releases!
RASPUTIN - THE MAD MONK (1966)
Synopsis: Hammer Films' dual reputation for screen shock and flamboyant costume adventure meld in this tale of the real-life "holy man" whose evil charm held the fate of an entire nation in its grip.
In Czarist Russia, Rasputin (Christopher Lee), a peasant monk, mysteriously demonstrates his healing powers by saving a woman's life and asking only for wine and a Bacchanalian celebration in return. But soon Rasputin uses his evil charm and powers to become increasingly manipulative and violent. Ferocious, devious and other-worldly, this uncouth peasant ingratiates himself bit by bit into the lives of the sophisticated royal class ... Christopher Lee's multi-layered performance as Rasputin rates as one of the best portrayals in any film.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 92 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1 & 2.55:1)
Audio - English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
- Presented In Two Aspect Ratios – 2.35:1 & 2.55:1!
- NEW! Audio Commentary With Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman, Filmmaker/Film Historian Constantine Nasr, And Filmmaker/Film Historian Ted Newsom!
- Tall Stories: The Making Of Rasputin The Mad Monk!
- Brought To Book: Hammer Novelisations!
- World of Hammer Episodes: COSTUMERS And CHRISTOPHER LEE!
- Audio Commentary With Stars Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Francis Matthews, And Suzan Farmer!
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Still Gallery
Synopsis: Can anything escape this terror? British commandos on maneuvers become ill with mysterious symptoms and horrific burns. Dr. Adam Royston (Dean Jagger), an atomic scientist from a nearby research station, suspects lethal radiation ... but is mystified by the cause.
At a nearby hospital, the phenomenon reappears and engulfs more innocent people, including a hospital orderly whose skin melts away from his body!
Dr. Royston speculates that the unknown is on a quest to absorb radiation and expand in size and range as it claims more and more victims. As time runs short, he becomes desperate to trap the entity before its power overcomes mankind!
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 80 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.75:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0
Extras:
- NEW! 2K Scan Of A Fine Grain Film Element!
- NEW! Audio Commentary With Film Historian/Filmmaker Ted Newsom!
- NEW! The Men Who Made Hammer: Jimmy Sangster Featurette!
- World Of Hammer: Sci-Fi
- Theatrical Trailer
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