Hammer Films is releasing Crucible of Horror (1971) on Blu-ray in April under its Hammer Presents line. The release marks the debut of a brand-new 2K restoration sourced from the original film negatives, available for the first time anywhere in the world.
Directed by Viktors Ritelis, the psychological horror stars Michael Gough as a domineering sadist whose family reaches a breaking point. Sharon Gurney and BAFTA-winner Yvonne Mitchell co-star, while John Hotchkis provided the musical score. The film, also known as The Corpse, arrives as a Limited Collector’s Edition featuring new artwork by Peter Strain and limited edition O-card packaging.
The disc includes a new commentary with William Fowler and Vic Pratt, co-authors of The Bodies Beneath and creators/curators of the BFI’s ongoing Flipside series, along with a new interview with author and horror expert Jonathan Rigby.
The release also features the original theatrical trailer and an image gallery. English subtitles are included on the main feature. Crucible of Horror releases April 20, 2026 on Blu-ray. It is currently available to pre-order from hammerfilms.com.
Full release details below.
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Description
Michael Gough delivers a disturbingly sinister performance as a domineering sadist and family gaslighter in this tense, vérité-style psychological horror from director Viktors Ritelis. With strong performances from Sharon Gurney and BAFTA-winner Yvonne Mitchell, and an unsettling musical score from John Hotchkis, Crucible of Horror (also known as The Corpse) has been painstakingly restored by Hammer from the original film negatives.
Walter Eastwood rules his family with a rod of iron, terrorising his wife and daughter with little provocation. Following a particularly vicious beating, his wife decides there’s only one solution to their ongoing torment – Walter must die.
Special Features
This brand-new 2K restoration from the original negatives is available here for the first time anywhere in the world.
This Limited Collector’s Edition comprises:
- Brand-new artwork by Peter Strain
- Limited edition O-card packaging
- English subtitles on the main feature
The discs feature:
- New commentary with William Fowler and Vic Pratt, co-authors of The Bodies Beneath and creators/curators of the bfi’s ongoing Flipside series
- New interview with author and horror expert Jonathan Rigby.
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
Technical Specs
- Language: Mono / English
- Number of discs: 1
- Region: B
- Certification: 15
- Run time: 91 minutes feature, 219 minutes full set
- Subtitles: English
- Actors: Michael Gough, Yvonne Mitchell, Olaf Pooley, Nicholas Jones, Sharon Gurney
- Produced By: Gabrielle Beaumont
- Written By: Olaf Pooley
- Directed By: Viktors Ritelis
- Release Date: 1971
