What do you think?
Rate this book
Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography
Though best known for its horror films, Hammer produced a wide variety of movies in many genres. The British studio was famous for its exciting stories and expert action--all on very small budgets and short shooting schedules. From The Public Life of Henry the Ninth (1935) to The Lady Vanishes (1978), this is the definitive work on Hammers 165 films. Complete filmographic data are provided for each film, including release dates in both the United Kingdom and the United States, running time, length, distributor, complete cast and production credits, and alternate titles. These data are followed by an extensive plot synopsis, including contemporary critical commentary and behind-the-scenes information from many of the players and crew members.
410 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1995
26 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 22, 2021
I’ve decided on a “split the difference” rating. If your reason for reading this book is mostly as a reference source, this is a 5-star resource. If (as in my case) you had also hoped to have some generous backstory insights, the rating would be 3-stars.
HAMMER FILMS: AN EXHAUSTIVE FILMOGRAPHY has been residing on my bookshelf unread since the late 1990’s. When I purchased it, I had hoped there would be deeper insights into the Hammer horror films that I loved. A casual glance showed an unfriendly two-column typeface per page, with an extensive listing of the production staff and actors, and a plot synopsis for each film. I thought I’d just keep it as a reference, even though I had seen all of the Hammer horror film product.
When I started it, I found many, many more motion pictures referenced than I had imagined. Most listed in the book were new to me and were films made from popular British television shows. (I knew Quatermass very well, and I’d heard of the “On the Busses” films.) So, my original idea of frequently skipping over the plot synopsis didn’t work as well as I’d imagined.
When reading the background notes of each production, there were three areas that were disappointing for me:
* There is remarkably little discussion of performers or on-set occurrences. Instead, there are short one line comments from critics, and mention of financial returns. There is also a lot of “second guessing” the film company’s choices … “Hammer should have made more of these or less of these.” When there was more background information, it was sometimes very unusual, such as James Bernard extensively discussing his musical career contributions to Hammer in the entry that was supposedly dedicated to discussing “The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires.”
* Many times, there is a discrepancy in running times listed (especially for UK versus US releases). Only rarely is there a mention of why these differences existed … and when they were, it was usually of the “this reflects a padded television print” variety. It would have been cool to know (as was often rumored) whether Hammer filmed two versions for different markets.
* Some information was wrong. The item that immediately comes to mind is the mention of the suicide by actress Susan Denberg. This had been a fan rumor for many years, and it didn’t happen.
Photographs mostly capture posters, although there are stills from movies included. All are in black and white.
Again, as a “production detail” reference book, HAMMER FILMS: AN EXHAUSTIVE FILMOGRAPHY is first rate. For “behind the scenes” stories, the Reader will likely need to pick up back issues of the magazine, “Little Shoppe Of Horrors.”
HAMMER FILMS: AN EXHAUSTIVE FILMOGRAPHY has been residing on my bookshelf unread since the late 1990’s. When I purchased it, I had hoped there would be deeper insights into the Hammer horror films that I loved. A casual glance showed an unfriendly two-column typeface per page, with an extensive listing of the production staff and actors, and a plot synopsis for each film. I thought I’d just keep it as a reference, even though I had seen all of the Hammer horror film product.
When I started it, I found many, many more motion pictures referenced than I had imagined. Most listed in the book were new to me and were films made from popular British television shows. (I knew Quatermass very well, and I’d heard of the “On the Busses” films.) So, my original idea of frequently skipping over the plot synopsis didn’t work as well as I’d imagined.
When reading the background notes of each production, there were three areas that were disappointing for me:
* There is remarkably little discussion of performers or on-set occurrences. Instead, there are short one line comments from critics, and mention of financial returns. There is also a lot of “second guessing” the film company’s choices … “Hammer should have made more of these or less of these.” When there was more background information, it was sometimes very unusual, such as James Bernard extensively discussing his musical career contributions to Hammer in the entry that was supposedly dedicated to discussing “The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires.”
* Many times, there is a discrepancy in running times listed (especially for UK versus US releases). Only rarely is there a mention of why these differences existed … and when they were, it was usually of the “this reflects a padded television print” variety. It would have been cool to know (as was often rumored) whether Hammer filmed two versions for different markets.
* Some information was wrong. The item that immediately comes to mind is the mention of the suicide by actress Susan Denberg. This had been a fan rumor for many years, and it didn’t happen.
Photographs mostly capture posters, although there are stills from movies included. All are in black and white.
Again, as a “production detail” reference book, HAMMER FILMS: AN EXHAUSTIVE FILMOGRAPHY is first rate. For “behind the scenes” stories, the Reader will likely need to pick up back issues of the magazine, “Little Shoppe Of Horrors.”
March 19, 2013
Excellent reference guide and truly exhaustive up through 1970s, although it doesn't cover recent Hammer revival. Will make film buffs wish for video release of more from the cheesiest listings. How can bad film buffs resist a title like "Vampire Circus?" No studio could sell schlock with style quite like Hammer!
May 12, 2014
I've been a Hammer films for years. brilliant horror films came out of this studio like water from the tap. BUT, as this book informs, they did so much more! Really, any fan of Hammer should get this book!
January 11, 2013
The best in-depth study of Hammer's films, people and stories. A welcome re-issue.
September 5, 2020
A pretty decent overview of the Studio That Dripped Blood. I kind of wish that it had a little bit more history, but there was enough to get by. I hadn’t realized just how many lame comedies they made. But the horror movies were where it was at and that’s really what these guys cared about, too.
Now, time for an update since Hammer is back!
Now, time for an update since Hammer is back!
September 12, 2018
I most definitely don't always agree with the.reviews to me some of the seventies output e.g. Dr Jeckyll and Sister Hyde, The Vampire Lovers, Vampire Circus is as good as any of Hammers's output. However this is amazingly researched book with great anecdotes and is a delight.
November 22, 2025
There is a lot of plot summary, and this is an “exhaustive filmography” collection, but I do wish there was more “behind the scenes” and making of information in each entry.
April 20, 2019
Unlike many horror fans, I did not care for horror as a kid. I had nothing but contempt for the horror films that were popular when I was coming of age - the slasher films of the '80s. My attitude toward them has not changed. However, in my 20's, I begin renting videocassettes of the old Universal horror films and absolutely loved them. Looking for more Gothic horror films, I naturally graduated to Hammer. Suffice it to say that now, in my 50's, I'm a HUGE Hammer fan. They quite simply were the best at making Gothic horror films and it's doubtful any other studio will ever usurp that title.
After that long prologue, I have to say that this is a great book. Johnson outlines every film that Hammer ever made; how it came to be made, whether it was financially successful, what the critics thought of it, and his own opinion of its quality. It was great to get information of this type on all my favorite Hammer horrors, but it was also fun to discover that Hammer made many other types of films as well: war movies, suspense thrillers, science fiction films, comedies, etc. This is catnip for anyone who is a Hammer film and is interested in cinema history.
After that long prologue, I have to say that this is a great book. Johnson outlines every film that Hammer ever made; how it came to be made, whether it was financially successful, what the critics thought of it, and his own opinion of its quality. It was great to get information of this type on all my favorite Hammer horrors, but it was also fun to discover that Hammer made many other types of films as well: war movies, suspense thrillers, science fiction films, comedies, etc. This is catnip for anyone who is a Hammer film and is interested in cinema history.
April 24, 2016
Comprehensive.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews