Founded in November 1934, Hammer is one of the oldest film production companies in the world. Hammer specialises in the production of film within the Horror genre and has helped to define the genre's success in Britain over 80 years with classics such as Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein and The Mummy, which spawned numerous sequels. Hammer has a back catalogue of nearly 300 titles (since 1934 to 2014)
1930's
Hammer Productions was established on November 5th 1934. In the pre-war period Hammer's output ranged from comedy 'The Public Life of Henry the Ninth' and slave drama 'The Song of Freedom'. Due to the outbreak of World War II, and with its executives seeing active service, production ground to a halt.
1940's
Growing Demand following the Second World War, Hammer Films re-formed and began to produce crime capers and Adventure films.
1950's
1960's
The staggering success of 'The Curse of Frankenstein' was followed by the even greater box office haul of 'Horror of Dracula' just one year later. With these two films alone Hammer had cemented the company name amongst audiences, film critics and censors alike. The monster movie was back, and Hammer jumped at the opportunity to reinvent other characters including 'The Abominable Snowman' (1957) and 'The Mummy' (1959).
1970's
By 1970, British Film Industry was beginning to suffer financially as the arrival of colour television contributed to a sharp decline in box office revenues. The financial climate forced Hammer to seek other approaches of film production. Gothic horror eventually came out of fashion and Hammer couldn't find backers (financers) for film production.
1980's
Although Hammer no longer had involvement within cinema , another outlet for horror production was discovered - television. 'Hammer House of Horror' contained tales of horror with hints of dark humour.
2010's
Hammer marked its return to film with the release of critically acclaimed 'Let Me In' an adaptation of the highly praised Swedish Film 'Lat Den Ratte Komma In'. This production was written and directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and stars Chloe Grace Moretz ('500 Days of Summer' and 'Kick Ass') and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road).In 2011, Hammer released Anitti Jokinen's 'The residents' starring two-time Academy Award winning actress Hilary Swank ('Boys Don't Cry' and 'Million Dollar Baby') and Hammer legend Christopher Lee.
As well as critically lauded 'Wakewood' directed by David Keating starring Timothy Spall. February 2012 saw the theatrical release of Hammer's first ever feature ghost story 'The Woman in Black' directed by James Watkins, adapted by Jane Goldman from Susan Hill's novel.
Vertigo Films is a UK Film and Distribution company founded in 2002 by Allan Niblo and James Richardson. The following year Rupert Preston and Nick Love joined and became partners. The company’s mission is to create and distribute commercially driven independent cinema and since inception it has produced 28 films and distributed a further 35. Vertigo also owns a successful post production company in Berlin, The Post Republic and is a partner in sales company Protagonist Pictures along with Film 4 and Ingenious.
Previous Horror genre Vertigo Films include -
'Retreat'
Hammer Productions was established on November 5th 1934. In the pre-war period Hammer's output ranged from comedy 'The Public Life of Henry the Ninth' and slave drama 'The Song of Freedom'. Due to the outbreak of World War II, and with its executives seeing active service, production ground to a halt.
1940's
Growing Demand following the Second World War, Hammer Films re-formed and began to produce crime capers and Adventure films.
1950's
Hammer was producing a steady supply of support drama and documentaries intended to play alongside feature films in cinemas. In 1951, Hammer began to co-produce their films with the United States of America and fellow producer Robert Lippert; this enabled the company to develop a business relationship with a North American market and cast American stars/crew. Hammer largely focused on crime thrillers and films noir.
'The Quatermass Xperiment' (1955) changed the course of Hammer's film output almost overnight. A commercial and critical hit, the film posed the question what might happen if an alien virus really was brought back to Earth?. Audiences flocked to witness the ensuing chaos and gruesome special effects.
Following the success of 'The Quatermass Xperiment', Hammer began to focus from the struggling crime thriller pictures of the early fifties to horror. The company made history with its first full colour creature feature 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957). Blood, gore, extravagant costumes and sets were presented in vibrant colour, enraging censors, but delighting audiences in equal measure.
'The Quatermass Xperiment' (1955) changed the course of Hammer's film output almost overnight. A commercial and critical hit, the film posed the question what might happen if an alien virus really was brought back to Earth?. Audiences flocked to witness the ensuing chaos and gruesome special effects.
Following the success of 'The Quatermass Xperiment', Hammer began to focus from the struggling crime thriller pictures of the early fifties to horror. The company made history with its first full colour creature feature 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957). Blood, gore, extravagant costumes and sets were presented in vibrant colour, enraging censors, but delighting audiences in equal measure.
'The Quatermass Xperiment' film poster (1955)
1960's
The staggering success of 'The Curse of Frankenstein' was followed by the even greater box office haul of 'Horror of Dracula' just one year later. With these two films alone Hammer had cemented the company name amongst audiences, film critics and censors alike. The monster movie was back, and Hammer jumped at the opportunity to reinvent other characters including 'The Abominable Snowman' (1957) and 'The Mummy' (1959).
1970's
By 1970, British Film Industry was beginning to suffer financially as the arrival of colour television contributed to a sharp decline in box office revenues. The financial climate forced Hammer to seek other approaches of film production. Gothic horror eventually came out of fashion and Hammer couldn't find backers (financers) for film production.
1980's
Although Hammer no longer had involvement within cinema , another outlet for horror production was discovered - television. 'Hammer House of Horror' contained tales of horror with hints of dark humour.
2010's
Hammer marked its return to film with the release of critically acclaimed 'Let Me In' an adaptation of the highly praised Swedish Film 'Lat Den Ratte Komma In'. This production was written and directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and stars Chloe Grace Moretz ('500 Days of Summer' and 'Kick Ass') and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road).In 2011, Hammer released Anitti Jokinen's 'The residents' starring two-time Academy Award winning actress Hilary Swank ('Boys Don't Cry' and 'Million Dollar Baby') and Hammer legend Christopher Lee.
As well as critically lauded 'Wakewood' directed by David Keating starring Timothy Spall. February 2012 saw the theatrical release of Hammer's first ever feature ghost story 'The Woman in Black' directed by James Watkins, adapted by Jane Goldman from Susan Hill's novel.
Vertigo Films is a UK Film and Distribution company founded in 2002 by Allan Niblo and James Richardson. The following year Rupert Preston and Nick Love joined and became partners. The company’s mission is to create and distribute commercially driven independent cinema and since inception it has produced 28 films and distributed a further 35. Vertigo also owns a successful post production company in Berlin, The Post Republic and is a partner in sales company Protagonist Pictures along with Film 4 and Ingenious.
Previous Horror genre Vertigo Films include -
'The Facility'
Release Date - 6th May 2013
This production revolved around seven complete strangers who all begin a clinical trial for an experimental new drug 'Pro-9'. But as the untested drug enters their bodies, unexpected side effects start to take over and several of the medical research volunteers are placed into an uncomfortable murderous rage.
'Retreat'
Release Date - 14th October 2011
Martin (Cillian Murphy) and Kate (Thandie Newton) are taking an relaxed and isolated break on an uninhabited island until a blood soaked stranger (Jamie Bell) stumbles through their door informing them about an apocalyptic virus sweeping across Europe.
