‘Hammer: Heroes, Legends And Monsters’ Documentary Celebrating 90 Years Of Horror

TV & Film

Aug 7

Frankenstein's Monster — Image Source: *IMDb*

The iconic British film production company, Hammer Film Productions, turns 90 this year. While the first film released under the company name, The Public Life of Henry the Ninth, was released in 1935, the company itself officially started in 1934. To celebrate the long legacy of the company, Deep Fusion Films, the TV network Sky, and Hammer are coming together to release a special documentary. Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters will be released in November of this year, focusing on the film company’s history and far-reaching influence throughout the horror genre.

The production company has a fair few titles under their name and are still very relevant today. From murders to mysteries and everything in between, Hammer has had some variety over the years. Some of their most iconic films featured Frankenstein, Dracula, Quatermass, the killer mummy, and Dr. Jekyll, the focus on the horror genre kicking off in 1955. They pushed out into the Sherlock Holmes-type mysteries with The Hound of the Baskervilles (1958).

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The Lady Vanishes (1979) was the last film the company distributed for a while; it reimagined Alfred Hitchcock’s 1938 story and did not perform as hoped. Hammer made a comeback in 2008 with Beyond the Rave, a film filled with raver vampires and a bloody rescue. From there, the company focused on horror and mystery, returning to their roots. The most recent film distributed by the company is Doctor Jekyll (2023). This film takes a different approach to the classic tale with which Hammer has a fair bit of experience and focuses more on the psychological horror angle.

Current CEO of Hammer John Gore commented on the upcoming milestone (via Deadline), “As a lifelong fan of Hammer Films, I am incredibly proud to celebrate our 90th anniversary with this remarkable, insightful and celebratory documentary.” He continued, “Heroes, Legends and Monsters pays tribute to the people behind Hammer – in front of, and behind the camera – and sets the stage for an exciting future.” Gore wrapped up his comments with a nod to the future, “Hammer has always been at the forefront of horror, and with the dedication of a talented team and the support of Sky, we are poised to continue thrilling audiences with Hammer magic for the next decade and beyond. Here’s to the next 90 years of Hammer and its heroes, legends and monsters.”

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