1959’s ‘The Man Who Could Cheat Death’ Is Next Up For Hammer Films’ Extensive 4K UHD Release Program
by David Lewis
Hammer Films set the standard for UK horror films in the 1950s and ’60s, and now they’re setting the standard for comprehensive 4K UHD box sets. The 1959 thriller The Man Who Could Cheat Death is the latest title to get the deluxe treatment.
The lurid Technicolor shocker stars Anton Diffring as a typically spooky 19th century doctor who is obsessed with immortality and finds it in the most grotesque way. Does his collection of disturbingly gruesome sculptures have something to do with it?
It also stars Hammer regulars Hazel Court and Christopher Lee, reuniting them with The Curse of Frankenstein director Terence Fisher and screenwriter Jimmy Sangster.
The Man Who Could Cheat Death has been restored in 4K from the original film negatives and includes censored scenes that have been missing for years and were long assumed lost. The limited edition 4-disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set includes six (not a typo) versions of the film in three aspect ratios (native 1.37:1, 1.66:1 UK theatrical widescreen, and 1.85:1 US theatrical widescreen) in both censored and uncensored versions, alongside the option of a new 5.1 mix or the original mono film soundtrack.
As per usual with these Hammer sets, special features are legion and include vintage and new featurettes, interviews, multiple commentaries, a 1999 panel, a double-sided poster, art cards, a book featuring a reproduction of the original shooting script, and more. It’s all housed in a sturdy outer slipcase with foil titles and an inner box featuring new artwork.
The release follows in the footsteps of Hammer’s loving 4K releases of Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, X the Unknown, and 1958’s Dracula, which kicked off an entire series of films which will doubtlessly be re-mastered and released soon.
The Man Who Could Cheat Death will be available February 22nd.
