![Universal Classic Monsters - The Essential Collection [Blu-ray] [1931] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81+etFmIskL.jpg)
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 and a 44-page booklet.DraculaThe 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 VersionIntroduction to the Spanish Version by Lupita Tovar KohnerDracula: The RestorationThe Road To DraculaLugosi: The Dark PrinceFeature Commentary by Film Historian David J. SkalAlternate Score By Philip Glass performed by the Kronos QuartetDracula ArchivesMonster 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:Years of Universal: Restoring the ClassicsThe Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made A MonsterKarloff: The Gentle MonsterMonster Tracks Pop-Up Facts (pop-up facts about the making of Frankenstein that can be read while watching the film)Universal HorrorFrankenstein ArchivesBoo: A Short FilmFeature Commentary With Film Historian Rudy BehlmerFeature Commentary With Historian Sir Christopher FraylingTrailer 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 UnearthedHe Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack PierceUnravelling the legacy of The MummyThe Mummy Archives100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle EraFeature Commentary with Film Historian Paul M JensenFeature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steven Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent ArmstrongTrailer 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 Revealed100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable CharactersProduction PhotographsFeature Commentary with film historian Rudy BehlmerCentennial 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 ClassicsShe's Alive Creating The Bride of FrankensteinThe Bride of Frankenstein ArchivesFeature Commentary with Scott MacqueenTrailer 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 heart-breaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and ground-breaking 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 LotMonsters By Moonlight: An Original DocumentaryThe Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern MythPure In Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney Jr.He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack PierceWolf Man ArchivesFeature Commentary with Film Historian Tom WeaverTrailer 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 LotThe Opera Ghost: A Phantom UnmaskedProduction PhotographsFeature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacqueenPhantom of the Opera Theatrical TrailerCentennial Trailer The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954):Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living amphibious missing link becomes enamoured 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 3D100 Years of Universal: The LotBack to the Black LagoonProduction PhotographsFeature Commentary With Film Historian Tom WeaverTrailer 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
J**L
Dracula : a new musical score
«Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection» is a fantastic product. As many Canadian buyers, I decided to buy the less expensive UK version that also offer more language flexibility than the North American set. For me, as a French speaking person, the fact that these films are now presented with a French language track is a very good news. With the North American set, I could see the movies with the English or the French soundtrack but, unfortunately, I could not have the possibility to see the movies with the English track with French subtitles, what I can do with the UK set.All this to say that I am really happy with this film collection and I even discovered an unexpected gift on the «Dracula» French speaking track : a new musical score. We all know that in 1931, when the Tod Browning «Dracula» was made, it was not common practice to compose original music to accompany movies (it will become standard procedure a few years later). So, I was under the impression that no music whatsoever exist to accompany that film until Universal asked Philip Glass to compose his score in 1998. I was wrong. Yes my friends, this is not a mistake. You can listen to original music on the French and Italian tracks of «Dracula» on the UK version of «Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection» (the exact same music is used on both language tracks). I read a lot about the history of that film and I never saw any mention about the existence of that score. I have to say that this is a very pleasant surprise. I have a master degree in musicology and from my knowledge of classical music and film music in general, I can tell you that the composer who created that piece did a very good job.There are no information on the blu-ray disc about the French and Italian dubbing tracks and this new score but they were probably made around 1960 and part of the same production. The name of the composer is not mentionned anywhere but the music seems to be influenced by Bela Bartok. I would say that this music is more modern that what you would find in Hollywood at the same period. This is why I suppose the composer was European and was commisionned around 1960 to write music to accompany the new langage tracks. At first, I was shocked by this new music because it really transforms the original Tod Browning movie but finally the result is quite interesting. I would even say that this musical score do a better job than the Philip Glass music. Not that the Philip Glass composition is not well crafted. It is an excellent concert piece but utilized as film music it is so intrusive that it distracts the viewer from the movie. On the contrary, the new score on the French and Italian language tracks helps to create the right mood at every important moment in the film, what any good film music should do.So, if seeing the Tod Browning «Dracula» with a new musical accompaniment is of special interest for you, you will find that music on the French and Italian tracks of the UK set. The three other languages (English, Spanish and German) don't have any music to accompany their speaking tracks. I suppose that you may also find that score on the French track of the North American set.I would appreciate to have information about the creation of that composition : who the composer was, when it was composed, why Universal have commissioned this music and why the company use it on some language tracks but not on others.Even if French is my mother tongue, for me the French version of the 1931 «Dracula» will never replace the original English version of the Tod Browning movie with Bela Lugosi enigmatic voice. But to discover a new musical score to accompany that classic movie is a gift from Universal and I thank them for that.
R**L
Another upgrade from yet another format
From the `30s, my favorite films in this genre included the movies in this box set, "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection" [Blu-ray], released on Oct. 2nd. I searched all the brick-and-mortar stores in my area, in vain (US, SoCal). No doubt this was due to the list price (over $200 at the time). So I checked out Amazon UK and purchased it [it's Region Free] for £30 (=$48.50 US). That's about six bucks a film! The UK packaging differs too: the discs are secured into place by familiar spindles and hubs instead of the cardboard sleeves like "Alien Anthology." I ordered it on Oct. 23rd and received it a week later, on Holloween!The box set contains "Dracula" (Tod Browning, 1931 [both the English and Spanish versions]); "Frankenstein" (James Whale, 1931); "The Mummy" (Karl Freund, 1932); "The Invisible Man" (James Whale, 1933) and "Bride of Frankenstein" (James Whale, 1935).Also included are "The Wolf Man" (1941 [another great film]); "Phantom of the Opera" (1943) and "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954, [both the 2D and 3D versions]).One last note on the box set: These transfers were quality upgrades for a fan like me; it includes their best horror films (at a great price). But be wary of dumping the Legacy DVDs; you may never get a chance to own the sequels again. Many of the sequels don't measure up to the originals that inspired them (they tended to devolve into 1940's b-films). It's for these reasons hard-core fans should hang on to the 2004 Legacy Collection DVDs.When motivated by director Stephen Sommers' release of "Van Helsing" in 2004, Universal released the six Legacy Collection DVDs, that included everything on the "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection" Box Set [Blu-ray] ,[except Phantom; which should have been Lon Chaney's 1925 version].The Legacy DVD two-disc editions included four or five films. The 1st discs were largely similar to the Classic Monster Collection DVDs released in 1999. The 2nd discs were duel-sided, and contained all the sequels.Here's what you miss, if you dump Legacy: Dracula's Daughter, (1936); Son of Frankenstein, (1939); The Ghost of Frankenstein, (1942); Son of Dracula, (1943); Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, (1943); House of Frankenstein, (1944); House of Dracula, (1945);And lesser entries, like: Werewolf of London, (1935); She-Wolf of London, (1946) [Sorry, London, An American Werewolf in London is among my favorites];The Mummy's Hand (1940); The Mummy's Tomb (1942); The Mummy's Ghost (1944); The Mummy's Curse (1944); The Invisible Man Returns (1940); The Invisible Woman (1940); Invisible Agent (1942); The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944).which were later spoofed in comedys: like Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, (1948), etc.Mel Brooks's comedy Young Frankenstein, (1974) was admirable. Universal's 2004 film Van Helsing also featured a great B&W opening sequence to these early landmarks.If losing the sequels doesn't bother you, the Legacy DVDs have great resale value that might motivate you to sell, and the Blu-rays are exceptionable upgrades that should definitely make you think to buy.
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![Universal Classic Monsters - The Essential Collection [Blu-ray] [1931] [Region Free]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81+etFmIskL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
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