| Three years ago, Universal released most of its classic monster movies
from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s on DVD for Region 1. The extras-packed releases have since
gone out of print and have been put on moratorium by the distributor, awaiting a new release
date. Eight of the finest titles in this collection have recently been released for Region 2
and Region 4, available individually or in a handsome eight-disc box set. The only major
difference with the Region 1 versions is the absence of the Spanish version of Dracula
on said release. All titles come with full-length documentaries detailing the production
history as well as audio commentaries by film historians well-versed in horror movie lore.
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Dracula
The very first of the Universal horror pictures
opens very strongly, with impressively massive sets
and Gothic atmosphere to spare. Unfortunately, its
later reels lose much of this power to thinly played
theatrics, but much is saved by the charismatic Bela
Lugosi in a career-making performance.
read
the review |
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Frankenstein
The studio's follow-up to the smash success of
Dracula is a stylish, poetic and vastly superior
film thanks to the talents of director James Whale
and the finest character make-up ever devised.
read
the review |
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The Mummy
More an atmospheric romantic drama with some creepy
moments than an outright horror film, this 1932 original
shows precious little mummy but does grow on you over
time.
read
the review |
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The Invisible Man
James Whale's skill as a director and designer
continues to improve visibly with this wild, thrilling
and hugely accomnplished special effects film fuelled
by a memorable performance by the unseen Claude Rains
as the eponymous invisible man.
read
the review |
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Bride of Frankenstein
Surpassing not only the original film to which
it was the first sequel, but also nearly every other
picture produced this decade, Bride of Frankenstein
is a true masterpiece: the most exciting, visionary
and witty horror picture ever made, and the definite
high point in Universal's horror film output.
read
the review |
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The Wolf Man
Not the first werewolf movie, but definitely the
most influential one, establishing all the major themes
that would feature in the genre for decades to come.
read
the review |
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Phantom of the Opera
Not the silent classic with Lon Chaney's famous
skull make-up, but a more highbrow Technicolor production
with the more docile Claude Rains as the phantom.
Not quite a classic monster movie in any real sense
of the phrase, but a nice addition thanks to the solid
extras.
read
the review |
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Creature from the Black Lagoon
The pre-eminent monster movie of the 1950s: a
popular drive-in picture made immortal by countless
midnight movie showings on TV. Impressively photographed
even without the 3-D gimmick used for its original
theatrical run, and spawning countless imitations
from the 1950s onwards.
read
the review |
