Review of Abominable Snowman, The

Introduction

As with "The Quatermass Xperiment", "The Abominable Snowman" derives from a BBC play by Nigel Kneale. At the BBC, Kneale and producer Rudolph Cartier had been responsible for two "Quatermass" serials and the groundbreaking, controversial adaptation of George Orwell`s "1984". "The Creature" (the tv play`s title) was broadcast on 30 January 1955 and repeated live on 3 February but created little of the furore its stablemates had caused. It was not until late 1956 that Hammer made Kneale an offer for the rights to the story.

Hammer`s fortunes were about to change radically for the better. Known primarily for the "Quatermass" adaptations, the company was in the post-production phase of its epiphanic "Curse of Frankenstein" which would thrust the company squarely into the international market. Peter Cushing, who had co-starred in the tv version of "The Creature" was retained for "The Abominable Snowman" while Stanley Baker`s role was usurped by (more bankable) American actor Forrest Tucker. Although shot in monochrome, the movie benefitted from being shot in 2.35:1 format Regalscope - one of the CinemaScope lookalikes that came out in the 1950s.

Nigel Kneale cooperated with Val Guest on the screenplay and was a lot happier with the finished result than he had been with the earlier adaptations. While much of the film was made at Hammer`s production base Bray Studios, the extensive snowscape scenes were completed at Pinewood.

The movie was released in the aftermath of the release of "Curse of Frankenstein", and the less horrific exposition of the story may have actually done it damage as it was released in a double bill with a Mamie Van Doren movie. (Mamie Van Doren was a B-movie Jayne Mansfield). Certainly the movie isn`t as in-your-face as most of Hammer`s output, but it`s still an engaging piece of work.

Video

Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, it is somewhat unusual to be watching a monochrome image. Having said that, the picture is sharp and contrasty with a little wear and tear but nothing monumental.

Audio

A Dolby 2.0 Mono soundtrack. There is also a director and writer`s commentary track with Val Guest and Nigel Kneale.

Features

In addition to the fascinating yak track, there is another specially filmed interview with Val Guest, an original theatrical trailer and - best of all - a Best of British "World of Hammer" documentary about Peter Cushing. As with previous DDVideo releases in this series there is a lavishly illustrated and copiously noted 24 page booklet about the film that has been invaluable in writing up this review.

Conclusion

Not one of the more boisterous Hammer horrors, but a classic bit of Nigel Kneale horror. Something to make you think about as you hide behind the sofa. The disc is worth it for the Peter Cushing doco. All in all a very entertaining package.