Bloody Hell: British Horror Films

July 17 through August 22

Led by Hammer Films, British horror films have long set the standard for delivering the right mix of fright and fun to audiences. Reworking endless variations on the Dracula and Frankenstein myths, typically starring workhorses Christopher Lee and/or Peter Cushing, Hammer became the name most trusted for a gory good time. This series includes classic Hammer titles alongside several cult favorites from the fellow-traveler Tigon and Amicus studios. Ranging from the late 1950s to the early 1970s (plus Ken Russell's 1980s throwback LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM, starring a young Hugh Grant), the films run the gamut from straight-ahead gothic thriller to psychotronic social allegory. When art film meets exploitation cinema, the results are doubly scary! Series originally programmed by BAM Cinematek. Special thanks to Jake Perlin, BAM Cinematek. Original film notes courtesy Jeff Cashvan/ filmfancy.com & Chris Wood/ britishhorrorfilms.co.uk.

More titles coming in August!

• CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER
• VAMPYRES
• THE STRANGLERS OF BOMBAY
• THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN
• VAMPIRES
• SCREAM OF FEAR [aka TASTE OF FEAR]
• CORRUPTION
• THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN
• THE CREEPING FLESH

Film: EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN
Genre: British Horror Film Series
Running Time: 85 min
Format: Color
Sound: English
Director: Sam Raimi
Website:

Synopsis:
SPECIAL SCREENING
BEFORE SPIDER-MAN 2, DIRECTOR SAM RAIMI MADE EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN
Before he helmed summer blockbusters like SPIDER-MAN and SPIDER-MAN 2, Sam Raimi made schlocky splatter-fest movies like EVIL DEAD 2. Not so much a sequel to EVIL DEAD as it is a bigger budget remake, EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN takes the premise of Raimi's original zombie film to such outlandish slapstick extremes that it was branded with an X rating for excessive violence and gore. Even toned down to an R, this hybrid film-equal parts Three Stooges, Herschell Gordon Lewis and George Romero- delivers a cinematic wallop worthy of its cult reputation. Directed by Sam Raimi; written by Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel; produced by Robert G. Tapert and Bruce Campbell. US, 1987, color, 85 min. Rated R

Film: LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM
Genre: British Horror Film Series
Running Time: 93 min
Format: Color
Sound: English
Director: Ken Russell
Website:

Synopsis:
An archaeological dig unearths a giant snake skull amid rumors of blood cults and worm-worship. Mysterious Lord Hugh Grant must battle the forces of evil while resisting the charms of snaky Amanda Donohue. Maverick director Ken Russell's loving send-up of Hammer Films balances camp with a fair amount of nasty gore and genuine horror. Directed/written/produced by Ken Russell; from the novel by Bram Stoker. UK, 1988, color, 93 min.

Film: HORROR OF DRACULA
Genre: British Horror Film Series
Running Time: 82 min
Format: Color
Sound: English
Director: Terence Fisher
Website:

Synopsis:
In "the one that started it all," Christopher Lee's Dracula and Peter Cushing's Van Helsing (the duo's first pairing, to be reprised dozens of times) battle it out Hammer style. Featuring sumptuous color, a pounding score by James Bernard, free-flowing fake blood and a bevy of vampire brides. Maybe not as extreme as it seemed in its day, but its stylishness remains undiminished. Directed by Terence Fisher; written by Jimmy Sangster, from the novel by Bram Stoker; produced by Anthony Hinds. UK, 1958, color, 82 min.

Film: THE SORCERERS
Genre: British Horror Film Series
Running Time: 87 min
Format: Color
Sound: English
Director: Michael Reeves
Website:

Synopsis:
The first great film by the late Michael Reeves, who was well on his way to a major career when he died from a drug-induced suicide. A kindly old scientist (Boris Karloff) and his wife have developed a mind-control device-complete with psychedelic light show-that allows them to "merge" with a swinging-London lad. They are soon vicariously experiencing the tawdry thrills of the younger, hedonistic generation. Things take a turn when the scientist discovers that his once-sweet wife has developed a taste for murder. "This psychedelic horror film deals with the apparatus of cinema, and still puts the mind in a spin." -TimeOut (London). Directed/written/produced by Michael Reeves; co-written by Tom Baker and John Burke; co-produced by Patrick Curtis and Tony Tenser. UK, 1967, color, 87 min.

Film: WITCHFINDER GENERAL
[aka THE CONQUERER WORM]
Genre: British Horror Film Series
Running Time: 87 min
Format: Color
Sound: English
Director: Michael Reeves
Website:

Synopsis:
Evil spreads across the English countryside as witch-hunter Vincent Price literally needles confessions out of suspected witches while collecting money from local magistrates. Burnings, drownings and hangings are all in a day's work, as Price gives his most brutal, scornful, and bullying performance, drained of camp. "Quite possibly the greatest British horror film ever made" -www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk Directed/written by Michael Reeves; co-written by Tom Baker and Ronald Bassett, after the poem by Edgar Allan Poe; co-produced by Louis M. Heyward, Arnold L. Miller and Philip Waddilove. UK, 1968, color, 87 min.