Hammer Films have been slow to Blu-ray in Region A. We have gotten some splendid editions from companies like Synapse Films, and a couple of box sets from Universal and Warner Brothers. However, if you were a dedicated fan of the famed British film studio, your best option has been to go with a region free player, and  import the discs you need from Europe or even Australia (there was quite a decent disc of Captain Kronos from Australia).

      However, things seem to be improving as Scream Factory, who had only previously distributed The early 70's Hammer vampire film, the Vampire Lovers, have seemingly decided to go full blast in their Blu-ray's of Hammer titles. It started a few months ago with Plague of the Zombie and the Vengeance of She, and now we see the long overdue Region A upgrades of The Witches and Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires.

    The Witches was one of the first Hammer titles I ever got on home video.  It was in a .99 cent bin at my local Suncoast Video alongside the Reptile (soon to be upgraded), and Plague of the Zombies (a firm favorite). The Witches has never exactly had the best reputation amongst the legion of horror films that Hammer did, but even when I first saw it nearly 20 years ago I had a solid appreciation of what they were trying to do, which falls squarely into the camp of what has become known as folk horror.

   The film stars Joan Fontaine as Gwen Mayfield, a schoolteacher who accepts a post in a rural British village. Fontaine is haunted by an experience she had involving witch doctors, and this is still heavily impacting her life.  At first, Gwen begins to revel in the experience, but soon after begins to become unnerved, as elements of voodoo and witchcraft begin to show up among the townspeople, bringing Joan face to face with what she fears the most.

   The film is solid-slow burn horror film. It's use of gothic imagery mixed with a rustic small town atmosphere charmed me instantly, and continues to do so on repeat viewings. The film's scares aren't exactly top-notch, but they are solid, and help create an atmosphere of horror over the whole film. The cast including Rebecca's Fontaine are top notch, and fill their roles well.

    Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is a film that I have only recently seen. It has a reputation again, of being lesser Hammer, and not only that of being quite silly with hopping vampires. The younger version of me with extremely limited funds would read stuff like that, and avoid a film. However, having now finally visited the film, I found it was an excellent mix of Shaw Brothers martial arts films, and Hammer gothic horror creating a unique atmosphere, and an excellent entry into Hammer's long legacy of vampire horror.

    The film opens with Dracula taking possession of the body of a monk from the Temple of the Seven Golden Vampires. The monk has come to Dracula with a request to help the Seven Golden Vampires regain their power. Unfortunately, Dracula has been trapped within his castle walls, and could only leave with another body.  Dracula also has a problem, his arch-nemesis Professor Van Helsing, is in China giving lectures on Asian vampires.   One of the students approaches him, and tells him of the Seven Golden Vampires and where they are. The pair put a party together to put an end to the vampires once and for all.

    The film is the one and only collaboration between Shaw Brothers Studios and Hammer. It seemingly takes the best elements of both companies to create something that should have pleased fans of both.  The martial arts action sequences are excellent, and the horror elements blend together well here. Cushing wears his Van Helsing role as if it's an old hat, and is truly excellent here. Sadly, Christopher Lee would sit this film out, and this would be the final film Cushing would appear in for Hammer.

     Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is presented 2:35:1 and The Witches is at 1:66:1 both in 1080p transfers. Both are quite excellent, but the Witches stands out with excellent detail, colors that pop from the screen, and a nice film like texture.   Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires look similarly solid, though Scream had to use SD inserts to recreate the U.S. cut of the film that are color timed to match the other content.  Both films are presented with DTS-HD MA 2.0 tracks in English with optional subtitles.  Everything sounds clear and crisp here without any issues.

   The Witches includes trailers, TV spots, a Hammer Glamour documentary and a commentary track. Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires includes a commentary, the alternate U.S. cut trailers, tv spots, and a series of interviews and featurettes.   I am glad to be seeing Scream Factory diving into the output of Hammer Studios. Both Blu-rays look quite solid, and are easy to RECOMMEND.