Review – Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters (2024)

Hammer Film Productions has long been a concrete part of British cinematic history, defining the horror genre and cementing itself as a key component in the world of iconic horror cinema. To celebrate the production company's prodigious 90th anniversary, Hammer has teamed with Sky Arts to create the epic documentary 'Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters', showcasing the monumental journey of the infinitely beloved Hammer Films. 

Bringing this essential documentary to life is director Benjamin Field, whose approach to manifesting the elaborate history of Hammer is both one of valiant openness and meticulous detail. The documentary traverses the early days of the company, offering an exclusive peek into Hammer pre-horror, before moving into its glory days of monstrous proportions, featuring the origin tales of The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958) and The Mummy (1959).

Interestingly enough, the documentary is not fearful of delving into the downfalls that Hammer has experienced in the past. One particular example being the release of Captain Kronos: The Vampire Hunter (1974). The film may have experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last couple of years; however, upon its initial release, Hammer failed to promote this could-be-hit to its maximum potential. It is small details such as this that make 'Heroes, Legends and Monsters' the exemplary feat that it is. The film's retellings are beyond comprehensive, with the modest runtime of 90 minutes managing to effectively and smoothly cram an entire encyclopaedia-like history into one single feature. 

The variety of Hammer's history is exuberantly delivered by various talking heads, featuring interviews from a fruitful list of icons, experts and Hammer stars, including: Tim Burton, John Carpenter, Joe Dante, John Landis, John Logan, Axelle Carolyn, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Madeline Smith, alongside Hammer's new CEO John Gore. The string of genuinely insightful, exciting and interesting conversations, stories and never before known tidbits into Hammer's legacy is spliced with contextual clips of the most beloved moments from the extensive catalogue. 

Heroes, Legends and Monsters will leave you brimming with plenty of 'did you know' quips to last a lifetime, with the telling, enlightening tale being akin to a tailor-made product that fans of horror will undoubtedly adore. Field's actioning of spreading the legacy of Hammer is evident, with the future of the production house being teased. As Gore's cameo makes clear, although Hammer is turning 90, the establishment is far from wrapping up. Gore's direction is to revamp the studio using contemporary stylistics, but with that classic British charm that made Hammer the beacon of horror that it is. 

Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters breathes new life into the conglomerate of monsters that evolved throughout the production's whopping 90 years, with the documentary giving credence to the staple figures who have since passed. With permission from the estate, the legendary Peter Cushing makes an appearance during the epic conclusion, with his likeness being resurrected at the hands of AI. It is this precise means of furthering the history of Hammer that makes this documentary the absolute must-see that it is. 

Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters premieres on Sky Arts this Halloween. 

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