A restored version of Hammer’s original 1958 production of Dracula is to released on Blu-ray and DVD in March.
The film’s sequel, Dracula Prince Of Darkness, is already available from retailers.
Inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula stars Peter Cushing, Michael Gough, Carol Marsh, Melissa Stribling and Christopher Lee and was directed by Terence Fisher.
Dr. Van Helsing (Cushing), investigating the death of his friend Jonathan Harker concludes that Harker was the victim of a vampire.
When Harker’s fiancée, Lucy, becomes affected by the terrifying force and hypnotic power of Count Dracula (Lee), Van Helsing releases her tortured soul by driving a stake through her heart.
But Dracula seeks revenge, targeting Lucy’s beautiful sister-in-law, Mina. Van Helsing, now aided by Mina’s husband Arthur, swears to exorcise this evil forever by confronting the vile and depraved Count himself.
The film has been restored by Hammer, Icon Film Distribution and Lionsgate as part of the restoration project announced by Hammer last year.
Hammer says the release will contain two versions of the film – the 2007 BFI restoration plus the 2012 Hammer restoration – which will be seamlessly branched on the Blu-ray.
The release includes additional footage originally censored by the BBFC in 1958 and will be released in “the correct aspect ratio of 1.66:1 which has never been available for the home.”
Hammer describes the release as ”the most complete versions ever released and taken together fully deserving of the description DEFINITIVE.”
Dracula will be released on March 18th, pre-order your copy today from Amazon.co.uk