The first in a new series of remastered soundtracks sees a world first vinyl release of the only surviving source of a legendary score – James Bernard’s The Curse Of Frankenstein

WORLD FIRST

Hammer Films announces a world-first vinyl release of selections from the original music soundtrack from James Bernard’s The Curse Of Frankenstein, available for pre-order now. With music extracted directly from the 1957 film and newly remastered as a Limited Collector’s Edition, this brand-new double EP marks the first in a new series of remastered soundtracks from the iconic studio. 

For more than 90 years, Hammer has been at the forefront of British Horror, and their composers are just as iconic as the films themselves. James Bernard is intrinsically linked to Hammer and, as well as The Curse Of Frankenstein, has scored a whole host of their legendary titles, including The Quatermass Xperiment, Dracula and many more.   

Created during Hammer’s 2025 4K restoration of The Curse Of Frankenstein, this new release presents approximately 13 minutes of original music salvaged from the film’s music and effects track. With the original session recordings long lost, this EP represents the only surviving source of Bernard’s authentic Frankenstein score.

A MONO 45

There’s something wonderful about dropping the needle on a mono 45 especially when it’s tied to classic Hammer Film Productions horror. 

I’ve not used my record player in many years. So playing this seems even more special. This isn’t just a record… it’s a time machine taking me back to 1957. I can hear and feel the crackle and the warmth of the music, and I’m back in that rich, gothic world of Dr Frankenstein’s laboratory full of colourful potions, weird contraptions and moral ambiguity. 

James Bernard doesn’t mess about. His score for The Curse Of Frankenstein is bold, brassy and dramatic. This 45 RPM feels raw, the mono mix compresses everything making it tight and punchy. The brass feels closer and more dangerous while the strings constantly build tension.

Hammer’s signature was all about shocking the audience, and being dramatic, and it comes across in the intensity of the sweeping strings and the bright pounding brass…. creating a sense of fear and dread. Thematically it’s pure gothic horror. 

BACKGOUND? NEVER

I could never listen to this as background music, it demands my attention. I’ve listened to it several times over and each time I’m transfixed for 13 glorious minutes. It’s theatrical and it conjures up images of Peter Cushing in the lab, eyes wide, creating his monster as lightening flashes outside and rain hammers down incessantly. 

As a listening experience in isolation from the movie it’s short and punchy but it leaves a genuine impression. It’s only a shame that it’s not longer. 13 minutes really is so desperately brief. As a piece of film history it’s totally compelling and absolutely unmissable. It’s raw, dramatic and the perfect companion piece to the movie. 

The double EP includes four suites presented across two 46rpm 7″ EPs, pressed on green vinyl with liner notes by James Bernard’s biographer David Huckvale, with additional notes by Hammer music expert John Mansell.

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