‘The Curse of Frankenstein’ Score Resurrected On Limited Vinyl

Hammer Films has announced a limited collector’s edition vinyl release of The Curse of Frankenstein, unveiling a newly remastered selection of James Bernard’s original score for the first time on vinyl. The double EP is available to pre-order now and marks the launch of a new Hammer soundtrack series focused on archival restoration and authenticity.

Released in 1957, The Curse of Frankenstein was a pivotal moment for the studio, standing as Hammer’s first colour horror feature and the film that reshaped its identity. Directed by Terence Fisher and starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in their first screen appearance together, the film introduced a harsher, more visceral interpretation of Mary Shelley’s story. Bernard’s score played a crucial role in establishing the film’s tone, pairing dramatic orchestration with a sense of dread that would become synonymous with Hammer’s gothic output.

The newly announced vinyl represents a world-first release, built from approximately 13 minutes of music recovered during Hammer’s 2025 4K restoration of the film. With the original recording sessions long believed to be lost, the music and effects track embedded within the film itself proved to be the only surviving source of Bernard’s authentic Frankenstein material. Hammer has extracted and remastered the score with the same level of care applied to its recent film restorations.

Pressed as a Limited Collector’s Edition, the release spans four suites across two 46rpm 7-inch EPs, each pressed on green vinyl. The package also includes liner notes written by James Bernard biographer David Huckvale, alongside additional commentary from Hammer music specialist John Mansell, providing historical context to the score and its recovery.

Bernard’s association with Hammer extended far beyond The Curse of Frankenstein. His work on titles such as Dracula and The Quatermass Xperiment helped define the studio’s musical identity, making his compositions as recognisable as the monsters and characters they accompanied. This release positions Bernard’s Frankenstein score not only as a piece of film history, but as a cornerstone of British horror music.

Hammer has described the double EP as the first in a wider programme of restored soundtracks drawn from its catalogue, signalling further releases to come. For collectors and fans of classic horror cinema, the vinyl offers a rare opportunity to experience Bernard’s work in isolation, preserved from the only source that remains.

To pre-order your copy, visit hammerfilms.com