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Reviews
For the first time ever, eight of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces of the horror genre are available together on Blu-ray as Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection. Digitally restored in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound. This essential set includes a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-ray 3D version.
Contains hours of bonus features, a 44-page booklet and 8 exclusive art cards with original theatrical posters.
Dracula (1931):
The original 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker's classic tale has for generations defined the iconic look and terrifying persona of the famed vampire. Dracula owes its continued appeal in large part due to Bela Lugosi's indelible portrayal of the immortal Count Dracula and the flawless direction of horror auteur Tod Browning.
Bonus Features:
•Dracula (1931) Spanish Version
•Introduction to the Spanish Version by Lupita Tovar Kohner
•Dracula: The Restoration
•The Road To Dracula
•Lugosi: The Dark Prince
•Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal
•Alternate Score By Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet
•Dracula Archives
•Monster Tracks Pop-Up Facts (pop-up facts about the making of Dracula that can be read while watching the film)
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, Dracula Trailer, Dracula's Daughter Trailer, Son Of Dracula Trailer, House of Dracula Trailer
Frankenstein (1931):
Boris Karloff stars as the screen's most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) dares to tamper with the essential nature of life and death by creating a monster (Karloff) out of lifeless human body parts. Director James Whale's adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel and Karloff's compassionate portrayal of a creature groping for identity make Frankenstein a timeless masterpiece.
Bonus Features:
•100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
•The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made A Monster
•Karloff: The Gentle Monster
•Monster Tracks Pop-Up Facts (pop-up facts about the making of Frankenstein that can be read while watching the film)
•Universal Horror
•Frankenstein Archives
•Boo!: A Short Film
•Feature Commentary With Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
•Feature Commentary With Historian Sir Christopher Frayling
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, Frankenstein Trailer, The Bride of Frankenstein Trailer, The Ghost of Frankenstein Trailer, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Trailer, House of Frankenstein Trailer
The Mummy (1932):
Horror icon Boris Karloff stars in the original 1932 version of The Mummy in which a team of British archaeologists accidentally revives a mummified high priest after 3,700 years. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive--and deadly--quest to find his lost love. Over 50 years after its first release, this brooding dream-like horror classic remains a cinematic masterpiece.
Bonus Features:
•Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
•He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
•Unraveling the legacy of The Mummy
•The Mummy Archives
•100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
•Feature Commentary with Film Historian Paul M Jensen
•Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steven Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, The Mummy Theatrical Trailer, The Mummy's Tomb Theatrical Trailer, The Mummy's Ghost Trailer, The Mummy's Curse Trailer, The Mummy's Hand Trailer
The Invisible Man (1933):
Claude Rains delivers an unforgettable performance in his screen debut as a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives in a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery, but the drug's side effects slowly drive him to commit acts of unspeakable terror.
Bonus Features:
•Now You See Him: Invisible Man Revealed
•100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters
•Production Photographs
•Feature Commentary with film historian Rudy Behlmer
•Centennial Trailer
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935):
The acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein has become one of the most popular horror classics in film history. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen's most misunderstood monster, now longing for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the proud and overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). The last horror film directed by James Whale features a haunting musical score that helps make The Bride of Frankenstein one of the finest and most touching thrillers of its era.
Bonus Features:
•100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
•She's Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankestein
•The Bride of Frankenstein Archives
•Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, Frankenstein Trailer, The Bride of Frankenstein Trailer, The Ghost of Frankenstein Trailer, House of Frankenstein Trailer
The Wolf Man (1941):
Originally released in 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and redefined the mythology of the werewolf forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, The Wolf Man is the saga of Larry Talbot, a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full. The dream-like atmospheres, elaborate settings and chilling musical score combine to make The Wolf Man a masterpiece of the genre.
Bonus Features:
•100 Years of Universal: The Lot
•Monsters By Moonlight: An Original Documentary
•The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
•Pure In Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney Jr.
•He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
•Wolf Man Archives
•Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, The Wolf Man (1941) Trailer, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Trailer, Werewolf of London Trailer, She-Wolf of London Trailer, House of Frankenstein Trailer, House of Dracula Trailer
The Phantom of the Opera (1943):
This lavish retelling of Gaston Leroux's immortal horror tale stars Claude Rains as the masked phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. A crazed composer who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera company, the Phantom also wreaks revenge on those he believes stole his music. Nelson Eddy, as the heroic baritone, tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the murderous, horribly disfigured Phantom.
Bonus Features:
•100 Years of Universal: The Lot
•The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
•Production Photographs
•Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen
•Phantom of the Opera Theatrical Trailer
•Centennial Trailer
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954):
Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living "amphibious missing link" becomes enamored with the head researcher's female assistant (Julie Adams). When the hideous creature escapes and kidnaps the object of his affection, a crusade is launched to rescue the helpless woman and cast the terrifying creature back to the depths from which he came. Featuring legendary makeup artist Bud Westmore's brilliantly designed monster, The Creature from the Black Lagoon is an enduring tribute to the imaginative genius of its Hollywood creators.
Bonus Features:
•The Creature From The Black Lagoon in Blu-ray 3D
•100 Years of Universal: The Lot
•Back to the Black Lagoon
•Production Photographs
•Feature Commentary With Film Historian Tom Weaver
•Trailer Gallery: Centennial Trailer, The Creature From The Black Lagoon Trailer 1, The Creature From The Black Lagoon Trailer 2, Revenge of the Creature Trailer, The Creature Walks Among Us Trailer -
Wow, that's even cheaper than I got it a few years back. Great set. We definitely need a sequel...with all the sequels!
ChrisComment
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Yeah, I picked this up from them for maybe even cheaper a month or two ago. It's region free, so no compatibility worries. And the packaging is great. Well worth it.Comment
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Amazon UK is amazing. I got the Superman blu ray box set for something like $16 also. Plus, Disney has stopped supporting 3D Blu Ray with their animated features, so I bought Frozen in 3D from amazon.uk, which isn't even available in the states. Lots of Disney titles that are in the vault here, are readily available there, and the shipping is not bad at all.
Highly recommended.Comment
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