The screenplay landed on Hollywood’s Blacklist of the best unproduced scripts in 2011 and is an atmospheric thriller in the vein of From Hell meets The Silence of the Lambs. Secretly imprisoned in a London insane asylum, the infamous Jack the Ripper helps Scotland Yard investigators solve a series of grisly murders whose victims all share the iconic death brand: dual puncture wounds to the neck.
Hammer brought their new film, The Quiet Ones, to the American Film Market today in Santa Monica. It stars Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Erin Richards, Olivia Cooke and Rory Fleck-Byrne also star. The horror pic shot in Oxfordshire.
Directed by John Pogue and inspired by true events, “‘The Quiet Ones’ tells the story of an unorthodox professor who uses controversial methods and leads his best students off the grid to take part in a dangerous experiment: to create a poltergeist. Based on the theory that paranormal activity is caused by human negative energy, the rogue scientists perform a series of tests on a young patient, pushing her to the edge of sanity. As frightening occurrences begin to take place with shocking and gruesome consequences, the group quickly realizes they have triggered a force more terrifying than they ever could have imagined.”
The Quiet Ones marks Hammer’s next production after the worldwide box office hit, The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, which has taken over $130 million at the box-office worldwide to date.
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Like Vampire Circus, Twins of Evil came along at a time when Hammer was on the fast track to ruin. The market was oversaturated thanks to direct competitors, like Amicus and Tigon, among others, and the studio’s strategy of churning out nothing but cheap looking franchise films. In 1970, Hammer decided to change up their approach to vampires with The Vampire Lovers, the first entry in the Karnstein trilogy. The gentleman vampire and his converted minions had been done over and over again, so with Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla serving as an inspiration, the name of the game became sexy lesbian vampires.
Twins of Evil is the farthest removed from the source material out of the three films, and is also great because of that – the other films are fun, but mixing it up was a smart move. While one of its biggest draws is the sexual presence of Mary and Madeleine Collinson, sisters that were the first identical twin Playmates, there are very few references to woman-on-woman action and little nudity, effectively removing the biggest reasons for its predecessors’ cult status. Screenwriter Tudor Gates also takes a page out of the Witchfinder General handbook by having Gustav Weil (Peter Cushing) blur the line between good and evil. As leader of Karnstein’s ‘Brotherhood,’ he lives as piously as possible, hunting down suspected witches and burning them at the stake. He looks down at those who enjoy earthly (carnal) pleasures, which is why he is constantly at odds with Count Karnstein (Damien Thomas), a man interested in black magic, Satanism, and sleeping with pretty much every strumpet that passes by. This is also why he’s taken aback by his recently orphaned nieces from Venice, who come to live with him and aren’t exactly Puritans.
Twins of Evil has vampires in it, but it’s more of a folk horror film that focuses on the grey area that lies between what is distinctively black and white. The Collinson twins are surprisingly good as the dual natured sisters, establishing what is good and evil in the context of the film early on, but Cushing is who really sells the conflict of cult vs. occult. The question of whether his methods for purifying the earth of evil are morally justified or hypocritical is the cornerstone of the film. Coupled with some fun gore and hilarious innuendo (a candlestick being stroked is worth a few laughs), Twins of Evil is one of Hammer’s best.
A/V
God bless Synapse, their 1080p transfer for Twins of Evil is almost Criterion worthy. The colors are preserved wonderfully, particularly the blue hues of the forest at nightfall. Aside from some very minor speckles and scratches, the picture is flawless and vivid with no DNR or banding issues of any kind. With such a balanced transfer and grain that’s still intact, it’s hard to imagine that the film is forty years old. The DTS-HD 2.0 track captures the emptiness of Castle Karnstein and the open air of the woods, but is limited by being 2.0; in other words, it’s good but not great.
Special Features
The Flesh and The Fury: X-Posing Twins of Evil (83:24) – Like the documentary Synapse put on their Vampire Circus release, The Flesh and The Fury is a really good, in-depth documentary on Hammer vampire history. Joe Dante, Kim Newman, and Tim Lucas – among others – chat about the more outwardly erotic direction Hammer went in after the British censors raised the X certificate age to 18. The influence of Le Fanu’s Carmilla – which predates Dracula by a quarter of a century – helped shift their focus from sequelizing their movies from the 50’s to creating the Karnstein trilogy and giving their vampires a new angle. The feature-length documentary, which is only three minutes shy of its subject’s running time, details the development of the film, including its original direction, the discovery of its two leading ladies, and spotlights on the other actors individually.
The Props That Hammer Built: The Kinsey Collection (23:28) – Hammer historian Wayne Kinsey shows off his impressive prop collection and gives some insight into their place in the studio’s history. He has a really impressive assortment of miniatures, concept art, and fake body parts (especially since most of the props were sadly thrown away before Hammer’s relevance was truly established), but the most unique thing he has is a bat puppet, which was created for an alternate ending to The Brides of Dracula.
Deleted Scene (1:09) – A sequence where Anton’s (David Warbeck) class of young girls sing along to his new composition. In the theatrical version, Gustav bursts into the house right as they’re getting started; the scene’s absence suits the flow of the film much better.
On February 3 CBS Films releases Hammer’s The Woman in Black, an old fashioned ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter 1-7.2) and Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood). With a screenplay by Jane Goldman (X Men: First Class, Kick Ass), based on the novel by Susan Hill, the film is directed by James Watkins who helmed Eden Lake in addition to writing The Descent: Part 2.
This film has the most wide array of marketing material I’ve seen recently, probably due to Radcliffe’s status as international superstar Harry Potter – many different territories are getting their own unique materials. Today we have a new UK TV spot.
“In this supernatural thriller, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career as a lawyer in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost…and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.”
Hit the jump to check it out! And look for my interview with Radcliffe sometime next week! READ MORE
On February 3 CBS Films releases Hammer’s The Woman in Black, an old fashioned ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter 1-7.2) and Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood). With a screenplay by Jane Goldman (X Men: First Class, Kick Ass), based on the novel by Susan Hill, the film is directed by James Watkins who helmed Eden Lake in addition to writing The Descent: Part 2.
In keeping with the marketing department of the film’s recent tradition of releasing a new poster for the film every single day* – we have a new international one sheet! Uncle!
“In this supernatural thriller, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career as a lawyer in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost…and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.”
*It feels true. Even if it’s not.
Hit the jump to check it out! READ MORE
On February 3 CBS Films releases Hammer’s The Woman in Black, an old fashioned ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter 1-7.2) and Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood). With a screenplay by Jane Goldman (X Men: First Class, Kick Ass), based on the novel by Susan Hill, the film is directed by James Watkins who helmed Eden Lake in addition to writing The Descent: Part 2.
Entertainment Weekly has just debuted a cool new poster, in the quad style, for the film. Artwork is by Daniel Danger. You can check it out below the jump.
“In this supernatural thriller, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career as a lawyer in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost…and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.”
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On February 3 CBS Films releases Hammer’s The Woman in Black, an old fashioned ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter 1-7.2) and Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood). With a screenplay by Jane Goldman (X Men: First Class, Kick Ass), based on the novel by Susan Hill, the film is directed by James Watkins who helmed Eden Lake in addition to writing The Descent: Part 2.
Today we have some new behind the scenes footage focussing on Radcliffe and his portrayal of Arthur Kipp. Ciaran Hinds is also interviewed in the b-roll and I’d say these few minutes are certainly a treat to those looking forward to the film.
“In this supernatural thriller, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career as a lawyer in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost…and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.”
Hit the jump to check out the clip. READ MORE
On February 3 CBS Films releases Hammer’s The Woman in Black, an old fashioned ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter 1-7.2) and Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood).
With a screenplay by Jane Goldman (X Men: First Class, Kick Ass), based on the novel by Susan Hill, the film is directed by James Watkins who helmed Eden Lake in addition to writing The Descent: Part 2. I recently had a chance to speak with Watkins about the film, which is a real departure for him in terms of tone and achieving what he calls “a pervasive sense of dread“.
“In this supernatural thriller, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career as a lawyer in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost…and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.”
Hit the jump to check out the interview! READ MORE
It was just announced that Hammer Films (The Woman in Black, Let Me In, Wake Wood) has acquired the rights to the novel Boneshaker by Cherie Priest for adaptation to the big screen. John Hilary Shepherd, a 2010 WGA Award nominee for his work on the first season of the Showtime series, “Nurse Jackie,” is writing the screenplay.
“An example of “steampunk” science-fiction, which incorporates futuristic innovations into a Victorian setting, Priest’s novel is set in an alternate version of 1880s Seattle, where the city has been walled in and a toxic gas has turned many of its remaining residents into “Rotters,” more commonly known as zombies. A young widow hunts for her teen son in the Seattle underworld, while dealing with airship pirates, a criminal overlord and heavily armed refugees.”
“Boneshaker” was nominated for a 2010 Hugo Award for Best Novel, and won the 2010 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
Project will be co-produced by Hammer and Cross Creek Pictures and co-financed by Exclusive and Cross Creek Pictures. READ MORE
Only the most patient viewer could probably discover bona fide excitement with Wake Wood, an awkward horror picture, the latest from Hammer Films. Borrowing key ideas from Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, filmmaker David Keating manufactures his own take on occult acts of ghoulish rebirth, establishing a motion picture of grisly possibility and rural isolation, hampered by lethargic execution.
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I might have hated The Rite, but I did dig 1408 and do think that Mikael Hafstrom is quite the talented director.
Heat Vision reports that Hafstrom is attached to direct the thriller Wake for Exclusive Media Group’s Hammer Films banner. Christopher Borelli and Matt Sand wrote the screenplay, “about a sociopath who is incapable of feeling fear.”
Hammer – the legendary company that’s propelled itself back into the genre limelight with both Let Me In and Wake Wood – will produce and finance the project.
Hammer also recently produced The Resident and will next have The Woman In Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, in theaters January 20, 2012.
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In a time when the tried and true Hammer vampire formula was showing its stretch marks, Robert Young’s Vampire Circus broke the mold, taking the blood suckers out of a gothic castle and putting them in a circus setting. To help celebrate their 100th release, Synapse has provided us with 5 Blu-Ray/DVD combo packs for some lucky readers. Check after the specs for your chance to win!
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To celebrate their 100th release, Synapse Films is proud to present Robert Young’s Vampire Circus as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo, chock-full of extras. Using a new transfer, which they’re billing as “the sharpest, most colorful transfer ever of Robert Young’s Hammer Films classic”, it’s set to hit shelves on December 14. I’ve actually never seen this one, and being a huge Hammer fan, I can’t wait to see it, especially in high-def.
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It was just over a month ago that we saw the Hammer logo blaze across the big screen for the first time in years during Let Me In‘s credits, and, if the quality of Matt Reeves’ film was any indication of how great the resurrected studio’s output will be, we luckily will only have to wait until next year see it again in front of The Woman In Black. James Watkins’ follow-up to Eden Lake, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Ciarán Hinds (There Will Be Blood), and Janet McTeer (Tideland), was originally planned to shoot in 3D, but is thankfully now just 2D. The film follows a young lawyer (Radcliffe) who travels to a remote village to close out an estate, only to find the locals living in fear over a ghost with evil intentions. It was originally a novel written by Susan Hill in 1983, and was later adapted for television by ITV in 1989. Today, Hammer released the first official stills from the film, currently shooting in England, which might or might not be the most boring promo photos I’ve seen. Sure, it looks like the film captures the gothic nature of the story well, but, as The Wolfman reminded us earlier this year, looks aren’t everything. Here’s hoping the combined power of Watkins and Hammer can churn out something far better than Joe Johnston and never-ending re-shoots.
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In case you missed the news, Hammer Films mainstay, Sir Christopher Lee is deep in the throes of creating an epic Metal concept album based on the life of Charlemagne. You know Lee as playing Dracula in a host of Hammer Horror Films, Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man and as Saruman in the Lord of The Rings Trilogy. What you may have been unaware of is the fact that Lee is a descendant of Charlemagne who is best revered as the founding father of both the French and German monarchies. And you may have also been unaware that Lee is a classically trained singer who loves epic Metal.
Two beautiful orphaned identical twins, Maria and Frieda Gellhorn (Playboy centerfold models Mary and Madeleine Collinson), move to the village of Karnstein to live with their uncle Gustav Weil (played by Hammer horror favorite, Peter Cushing), a fanatical puritan and leader of the local witch-hunting “Brotherhood.” The village Count (Damien Thomas, Never Let Me Go), an evil man who secretly practices Satanism, uses black magic and transforms into a vampire. Unhappy with her new life, Frieda seeks escape and tragically falls under the spell of the Count. Now overcome with an insatiable hunger for human blood, Frieda has to hide her secret from her sister, and escape her uncle’s killing grasp!
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