Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 14, 2021

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of Hammer Horror: Four Gothic Horror Films.

Chances are if you mention the phrase "classic Hammer horror" to the casual film fan, and perhaps especially to the genre aficionado, the immediate response might be focused on some of Hammer's now legendary output beginning in 1957 with The Curse of Frankenstein, and continuing at least through both some of the subsequent Frankenstein offerings, as well as 1958's Horror of Dracula, and its follow-ups, not to mention other properties Hammer either "updated" (The Mummy) or invented (Maniac ). Those follow-ups by themselves of course continued apace for several years, and that fact, when combined with the general perception among some that Hammer's overall quality not necessarily confined to so-called "franchises" declined as the sixties wore on, is where things may start to differ among respondents in terms of when Hammer's "classic" period ended, if in fact it ended at all. In that regard, it can be interesting to watch this collection of productions from the seventies when, as one of the supplements included in this set overtly mentions, "Hammer wasn't Hammer anymore", at least in terms of some of the erstwhile resident talent who had moved on to other places. It's also interesting to note that at the same time the back cover of the slip box housing the discs in this set itself overtly mentions a perceived "classic early '70s period", which may be a bit of PR hyperbole, but which may also invite approval from those who don't feel Hammer's output in the seventies is automatically dismissable, even if the studio had become manifestly different from what it had been in prior decades. Within that overall context, then, the four films offered in this collection are often quite interesting in their own regard, and Imprint has supplied each of them with a really bounteous collection of bonus features.

Twins of Evil has had a previous release on Blu-ray for the Region A market courtesy of Synapse Films. Those wanting a plot recap are encouraged to read Brian Orndorf's Twins of Evil Blu-ray review of that release. Brian's review is also a good resource for screenshot comparisons and lining up supplements between the two releases. Score keepers will note that I'm evidently not quite the fan of the overall film that Brian is.

Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Twins of Evil is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint and Via Vision Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.66:1. This is another presentation that bears considerable similarities to the Synapse release, but which can also show some slight, subtle differences. For example, compare the first screenshot in each review and note that while the general color timing is quite similar, there are some slight but noticeable differences. As Brian noted in his review of the Synapse version, there are some noticeable variances in overall quality, with some segments looking nicely suffused, well detailed and with an organically resolving grain field. There can be some downturns in clarity in some of the location outdoor work in particular, an anomaly that is shared in some of the other films in this set. On the whole, though, I found this to be an enjoyable transfer that doesn't show any signs of digital tweaking, and which preserves the film's kind of shrouded ambience very well.

Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Twins of Evil features an LPCM 2.0 Mono track which provides capable support for the film's dialogue and effects, and which offers an especially robust rendering of Harry Robertson's enjoyably energetic score. There's not an overly ambitious sound design at play in the film, and as such there can be relatively large swaths that have little other than dialogue and/or underscore, and the mono track suffices perfectly well in that regard. Optional English subtitles are available.

Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary by critics Kim Newman & Stephen Jones (2021)


• Audio Commentary by Hammer historians Jonathan Rigby & Kevin Lyons (2021)


• The Flesh and the the Fury: X-posing Twins of Evil (HD; 1:29:12) is a documentary about the film and Hammer's Karnstein Trilogy which is listed as a 2021 production on the back cover, but which bears a 2012 copyright date. It's presented here in its so- called "director's cut" which may account for the difference. This has some fun interviews and a glut of background information.


• Satanic Decadence and the Legacy of Sheridan le Fanu in Hammer's Twins of Evil (HD; 20:34) is another interesting visual essay from Kat Ellinger, who often seems to find rather intriguing connections between various properties.


• The Props that Hammer Built: The Kinsey Collection (HD; 23:39) focuses on collector and historian Wayne Kinsey.


• Interview with director John Hough (HD; 21:45) is from 2013.


• Interview with Damien Thomas (HD; 49:12) is from 2013.


• Super 8 Version of the Film (HD; 9:41)


• Deleted Scene (SD; 1:09)


• Original Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:31)


• Double Feature Trailer (with Hands of the Ripper) (HD; 2:40)


• TV Spots (HD; 1:02)


• Motion Stills Gallery (HD; 14:01), as it's listed on the menu and back cover, may seem like an oxymoronic title, and is perhaps better indicated by the actual title, Motion Picture Stills Gallery.


• Isolated Music and Effects Track is presented in LPCM 2.0 and can be accessed under the Setup Menu.

Twins of Evil Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Twins of Evil never quite musters up the goods, and may seem like almost an afterthought in the so-called "Karnstein Trilogy", but the Collinson twins are an eyeful and Cushing is fun doing his own version of Witchfinder General. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplementary package very enjoyable, for those who are considering making a purchase.