Welcome back to Dark Corners physical media reviews. The Hammer Presents collection marks a new phase in the releases from John Gore's revitalized company. As explained by Steve Rogers on their website, there are a lot of British horror films that people assume to be Hammer, but which aren't. So Hammer is embracing, possibly exacerbating the misconception by releasing a series of these films alongside the collector's edition range of their own titles. Starting with a two-disc set of Cry of the Banshee in 4K and Blu-ray.
The film was produced by American International Pictures, but made in England with a lot of local talent and is often mistaken for a Hammer film. AIP promoted it as part of their Poe cycle, though it is more inspired by the recent success of Witchfinder General. With Vincent Price and Hillary Dwyer both returning, this piece offers similar thematic content.
Director Gordon Hessler said that he and screenwriter Christopher Wickings set out to rewrite the original script to make the witches more sympathetic, though AIP cut this work short. The director's cut of the film is significantly different from the theatrical cut, with more graphic content and reordered scenes.
The new release features a stellar restoration, with a new surround sound mix and the original mono soundtrack. The filmmaker Chris Alexander provides an enjoyable commentary track, exploring the film's legacy and production stories. Additional features include an interview with director Gordon Hessler and a new discussion by film critic Kim Newman. Despite the mixed reception of the film itself, this release offers substantial extras for fans of classic horror.
