The Horror of Frankenstein and Scars of Dracula (1970) 4K UHD Review

4 star double release of classic Hammer horror.

In 1970, cinemas saw the release of two new Hammer horror films, presented as a double bill, and what a day out that must have been.

The Horror of Frankenstein is based on the character created by Mary Shelley, written by Jeremy Burnham (The Secret of Seagull Island) and directed by Jimmy Sangster (Lust for a Vampire) in his directorial debut.

Scars of Dracula is based on the character created by Bram Stoker, written by Anthony Hinds (The Reptile) and directed by Roy Ward Baker (A Night to Remember).

In celebration of this, STUDIOCANAL will release both films in 4K UHD on the same day, 24th November 2025, so they can be enjoyed together as they were all those years ago.

“It’s not rude Elizabeth, it’s a picture of a human body. I’m interested in anatomy.”

First up is The Horror of Frankenstein, which tells us the story of young, arrogant aspiring scientist Victor Frankenstein (Ralph Bates – The Monster, Dear John…(TV Series)). He spends his father’s (considerable wealth on scientific equipment to further his experiments and wants nothing more than to attend University in Vienna. Denied by his father, he orchestrates an accident, inherits his fortune and heads off to Vienna.

He is soon forced to return to town, having impregnated the Dean’s daughter, much to the delight of Elizabeth (Veronica Carlson – Crossplot), who has romantic designs on him. He brings with him his friend Wilhelm (Graham James – The Vampire Lovers), and together they embark on series of gruesome animal and then human experiments, with the help of a local graverobber (Dennis Price – Kind Hearts and Coronets, I’ll Never Forget You). At the same time, he revels in the attentions of his housekeeper Alys (Kate O’Mara – Doctor Who (TV Series)). Will anyone find out what he is up to in time to stop him?

“A head like this would have shared among two hundred students. Now we’ve got it all to ourselves.”

Next is Scars of Dracula, which starts with the resurrection of our favourite vampire (Christopher Lee – Season of the Witch, The Wicker Man), by a squealy bat on a string which drips blood onto his remains. Shortly thereafter, a local woman is found dead, bitten on the neck and the locals decide that enough is enough. A mob, led by the landlord (Michael Ripper – Quatermass and the Pit) and priest (Michael Gwynn – Village of the Damned) head for the castle and attempt to burn it, against the advice of Dracula’s assistant Klove (Patrick Troughton – The Sweeney: Series 2, Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell), who warns they will not be successful. Vengeance ensues.

A short time later, Paul (Christopher Matthews – See No Evil) a young man from a nearby town blunders up to the castle after an evening of errors and encounters Dracula and his prisoner Tania (Anouska Hempel – Black Snake, Tiffany Jones) before disappearing. This prompts his brother Simon (Dennis Waterman – The Sweeney: Series 1, New Tricks (TV Series)) and prospective girlfriend Sarah (Jenny Hanley – Alfie Darling) to head to the castle to search for him. Can they take on the terrifying Dracula?

“We know where the evil lies. We must free ourselves, now!”

These are both fantastic releases, they both look incredible in 4K, with crispy clear picture and excellent soundtracks. The 4K somewhat exaggerates the illustrated nature of the sets in Scars of Dracula and shows up the wires on the squealy bat action, but that’s always been part of the charm of Hammer Horror.

They are two very different films which work really well as a double bill, the tongue in cheek comedic style of The Horrors of Frankenstein with just enough gore to get you in the mood, sets you up nicely for Scars of Dracula, a much darker and more brutal film, with much greater emphasis on blood and guts.

Both packed with special features, these two releases are well worth adding to your 4K Collection.

“But, you are welcome. Before the fire, strangers were always welcome. Take a seat.”

The Horrors of Frankenstein and Scars of Dracula are available to own now on 4K UHD.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The Horror of Frankenstein

• NEW “It’s Alive!” Revisiting The Horror of Frankenstein with Clarisse Loughrey and Isaura Barbé-Brown
• Gallows Humour: Inside The Horror of Frankenstein
• Audio Commentary with author Marcus Hearn and director Jimmy Sangster
• Frankenstein, Dracula and Me: A conversation with Veronica Carlson
• Hammer’s Monster – An Interview with David Prowse
• Stills Gallery
• Original trailer

SPECIAL FEATURES: Scars of Dracula

• NEW “Fangs Out: Dracula, Desire & Disruption”: Clarisse Loughrey and Isaura Barbé-Brown in conversation

• NEW Legacy of the Vampire – An interview with Dacre Stoker, great grand-nephew of Bram Stoker
• Hammer’s Bite: Chris Matthews on Scars of Dracula
• Audio Commentary with Christopher Lee and director Roy Ward Baker
• Blood Rites: Inside Scars of Dracula
• Stills Gallery
• Original trailer