Plague of the Zombies - Cult Laboratories

STUDIOCANAL are delighted to announce the release of the next two iconic HAMMER titles in our new restoration series: THE REPTILE and THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES.

Following on from the HD release of DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS in March, these releases are part of the joint project that will also see much loved titles THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, RASPUTIN THE MAD MONK and THE MUMMY’S SHROUD released later in 2012.

Already screening successfully at festivals in the UK, as a further treat for Hammer fans the new restorations of both The Reptile and The Plague of Zombies will screen in the ‘Bradford After Dark’ strand of this years Bradford International Film Festival in April.

Companion films, both shot back to back by director John Gilling, they form a key plank of the studio’s early expansion from the vampire mythos into a wider rogues gallery of villains, both loved by fans for classic Hammer scares and renowned by critics for their seminal imagery and subtle critiques of class and colonialism. The remastered releases are accompanied by a host of specially created new extras, produced in collaboration with Hammer expert and author Marcus Hearn (author of “The Hammer Vault”), including brand new making of featurettes featuring interviews with original cast members

PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES

In a remote 19th Century Cornish village, the inhabitants of the town are dying from a mysterious plague that seem sot be spreading at an accelerated rate. Even the local doctor, Peter Thompson, cannot combat the disease, who, alarmed by the epidemic, sends for his friend Sir James Forbes. Disinterring the victims coffins they find the dead are not being allowed to rest in peace. Their investigations lead them to the decrepit tin mines run by the local Squire Charles Harris, a disciple of Haitian witchcraft, who sis using voodoo magic to resurrect the dead. But his magic relies on human sacrifice, and soon he unleashes his army of the undead on the unsuspecting village with terrifying consequences.

Extras: “Raising The Dead”: making of featurette / World of Hammer episode “Mummies, Werewolves and The Living Dead” / Raising The Dead / Restoration comparison / Trailer

Distributor:

Studiocanal

Certificate:

12

Release date:

18th June, 2012

Director:

John Gilling

Stars:

• André Morell
• Diane Clare
• Brook Williams