A Compendium of Hammer Castles

The wonderful, evocative, atmosphere that Hammer could conjure up when they were on form is second to none (put your hand down, Rollin, you didn't get frequent late night airings on telly and become synonymous with UK horror. I may consider a special on you, though). You know the sort of thing here - creeping mists, always autumn, buttoned up or unbuttoned, lightning inserts, and *always* ending in flames. 

Often a key part of this is the dreaded castle in the distance, casting a pall or spell over the local environment, the areas inhabitants, and acting as either a source of temptation or superstition to the films characters. 

Herein lies an attempt to catalogue and cast comment on these. This will be updated as I think of more, but some ground rules:

1. Castles only. No stately homes, no prisons, no universities, no churches*

2. No interiors. Exteriors and establishing shots only.

3. Original run only. 

NOTE. Despite working in architecture for 20 years (not as an architect though) .........I am no expert on castle architecture (sorry, boss!), so can't go into detail on that side of things. 

I know the basics, but my musings here are from my on views on things alone.

*there is a borderline case, which I will address in the text.

Dracula (1958)

Castle Dracula itself, looking reasonably unthreatening as Harker arrives to catalogue the library. 

Quite like the hexagonal tower at the fore, but my main point of critique is the rather enthusiastically flowing river which acts as entrance. Hammer mythology has vampires with a fear of flowing water. 

Dracula will be offed by this self same water at least once in his career, so I can only assume the stream remains in place from before he was turned into the undead and he never bothered to dam it (couldn't give a damn? Sorry).

Brides of Dracula (1960)

Frustratingly, the credits don't leave the screen long enough to capture a decent shot of the castle at the beginning, but the nice clear central shot does it justice, and Castle Meinster looks very welcoming indeed! All those lit windows giving the place a very homely sort of feel. 

Even though its a model shot, it doesn't look as obviously a model as some of the later films.

    

Kiss of the Vampire (1963)

Doctor Ravna's place. Now, this one I like, I like very much indeed. No larger circular towers, but very architecturally pleasing, raised up there on the heights. Its also nice and close to the road, judging by Ravna's telescope from early in the film, so accessible to the local village when popping out after dark. 

Interestingly, not as shunned as some of the others, but this may be down to the influence of Ravna over the locals.

Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

This is the borderline. Is it a castle or a stately home? Its never referred to as "Castle Frankenstein" at any point and in none of the films where The Baron is at home does he refer to it as a castle, but its pretty imposing and certainly looks the part, so I'm putting it in. 

Its also the first one we see go up in flames at the end and be destroyed. Hurrah!

The Gorgon (1964)

Castle Borski from The Gorgon, what is the most fairy tale like of Hammers films, in my view, and one that has grown in stature over the years and many repeated viewings. I used to find it impossibly dull, but perhaps I'm getting older, but the lush feel of this film, adequately shown by the castle above and languid atmosphere means I really enjoy it now. 

Look at those knotted angry trees. Barren. Threatening. This is not a happy place.

Abandoned, except for the cursed characters who head there to meet their fate. We won't question why a Greek mythological creature is prowling around a castle in Germany somewhere around the turn of the century. She just is, right?

Dracula Prince of Darkness (1966)

Castle Dracula, once again, and what looks like reusing the model from Kiss of the Vampire. Fair enough, its not as if Hammer were ever considering people examining this kind of thing in the future and gave a huge amount of thought to their continuity (have you ever tried mapping the timeline of any of their series? Its a fools errand, trust me!)

Different entrance to 58 Castle Dracula, but as Harker arrived on foot to that one and the Kents all arrive by carriage, its not unreasonable to assume they came via different routes and entrances.

Marvellous stuff though. I wonder where these models are now? Kind of thing that should be on proud display in the V&A!

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)

YES, oh yes. Look at that beauty up there on the heights, commanding the area. A fine place indeed. Vertiginous walls when they reach the doors and utterly imposing. 

I know that last pic isn't clear, but in the top right, shows the castle at night, once the Count has been offed once again.

However, its a very different place to Prince of Darkness, but he hasn't moved location since being trapped in ice in that one, so who knows? All I know is that this is a winner.

 

Scars of Dracula (1970)

Scars. Oh god, Scars. The very definition of "if you must". Dreadful film really and one I usually skipped on my series rewatches, but Hammer in this period has worked out how to disguise the paucity and cheapness of their sets - mist, lots and lots of mist. Low lit, glorious creeping mist, which does wonders.

So, the castle. Much more grand than the previous Castle Draculas, way way higher up in the mountains too, but a fine model indeed and a good solid place for any Vampire to spend his nights sitting about doing nothing but waiting for someone to turn up.

Horror of Frankenstein (1970)

Again, like Evil, a borderline case of Mansion or Castle? I'll put it in for completion sake, but by fuck this film is hard work. Unless I randomly find it showing on telly somewhere and By Law have to sit and watch the rest of it, regardless of whatever I was doing before then or have planned later. Thats the rules, right?

Nice building though. A lot more grounded than some of the others we've seen, and all the better for it.

The Vampire Lovers (1970)

LOOK AT IT. LOOK AT THAT RICH ATMOSPHERE!

Vampire Lovers...........what can I say? For my money, the opening ten minute pre credit sequence, where Baron Hartog gives us the background of the Carsteins, is the best damned gothic horror sequence made in film, bar none. I mean it!

Amazing ruined castle. Full of ghosts, sorrow and doom. We get to head here a few times throughout the film too AND get a finale within its confines. 

Always my favourite and always will be. Risen jumped up the list a lot recently to almost contend it, but Lovers wins.

Again, I wonder what happened to this model? I would seriously consider bidding were this to come up in auction.

Lust for a Vampire (1971)

From the heights of Vampire Lovers to the disappointment of Lust. Even the castle is just some stock footage inserts (no idea of where though), which as nice as they are, just doesn't hit the same way. Much like the film itself, which falls between two Hammer high points.

Twins of Evil (1972)

Twins, again just some stock footage. which is a real shame as they really excelled in all other parts of the film (well, except maybe that boar, you know?). Not much in the way of exteriors when the siege begins, either, which I was most disappointed about, but we do get a superb mist strewn secret escape and nothing less than Witch Hunters carrying a battering ram!

Vampire Circus (1972)

Lastly, to Circus and Castle Mitterhaus. Again, slightly disappointingly, its just a doorway. Leads directly into the woods though, which makes a nice change from being right up on the hillside.

Later falls into ruins after being torched by a mob, but we don't see much of the exterior, with most of the film taking place in the village or circus itself, with the castle being confined to mining operations, mostly.

And with that, things changed. Dracula found himself stalking the Kings Road from 72 onwards (a monet of glory in itself, really) Kronos never went near a castle in his single film and Baron Frankenstein finds himself institutionalised.

East Gate of Karak Eight Peaks

 

(pic from the ever amazing Tulikoura on DeviantArt, who if you don't know, you really should!)

Dwarf Lord Belegar has tried to reclaim Karak Eight Peaks from the Greenskins, both to restore this lost realm and to use this citadel as a base to launch operations in the surrounding area. 

So far, he has been partially successful, but has reached an impasse, only being able to retake the main hold and not consolidate the wider area, still strongly held by the enemy.

To mitigate this, he has sent for aid from his kinsman Lord Duregar, who has answered by immediately gathering a force and marching South. This relief army has been confronted by, and defeated, a larger Orc force that attempted to intercept them, with the result that their approach is well known to the greenskin commanders.

The East Gate lays several miles within Death Pass, through a broad steep valley, studded with Dwarven architecture. As the Dwarves march towards the gate, they see that Orcs have fortified the ruined buildings before the gates, and have emerged from all sides of the valley in a coordinated attack, trapping the Dwarves.......

The battle will take part in the Eastern section of the above map, before the main East Gate.

Rules: Warlords of Erehwon

Dwarf Army: 1600 points, divided into two parts. The main Dwarf relief led by Duregar (1000 points) and Belegars Eight Peaks Force (600 points)

Orc Army: 2000 points, divided into two main armies of 1000 points. These armies should then be split into two roughly equal parts prior to the game, to represent the waves of attackers coming into the valley. Each 1000 point Orc force should be led by an independent leader. There is no requirement for leaders to be in the smaller divisons.

Deployment (Dwarf): 

Duregars main army is advancing westwards towards the gate. Belegars force will advance from the West, but the timing of their arrival is unknown.

Duregars army will deploy between 12" and 36" from the Eastern side of the table. They may not be deployed close than 9" to the North or South table edges

Belegars force will arrive as they sally out. However, their timing will be unknown and should be rolled for according to the below:

Start of Turn 2 - On a 6

Start of Turn 3 - On a 5+

Start of Turn 4 - On a 4+

Start of Turn 5 - Automatically.

It may be that Belegar arrives too late to help!

Their arrival should be rolled for as below:

Roll of 1 to 4 - from the gateway to the West

Roll of 5 - from the mines to the North

Roll of 6 - from the tombs in the South

Deployment (Orc):  

The army is divided into four parts. 

An initial force positioned at the East gate to block the Dwarves progress. 

The second force has been shadowing and harrying the Dwarfs as they progress through the valley and arrive onto the table during the first turn. They may be placed up to 9" onto the table when they arrive (as their dice is drawn). They can be given a fire order as usual or shoot, but cannot move. They will fight normally, if attacked in combat.

The third contingent has been lurking in the Northern slopes of the valley, and only moves once the Dwarves are in position. However, being Orcs, there is no guarantee they will coordinate properly or even know what the correct Dwarf position is.

Start of Turn 1 - On a 6

Start of Turn 2 - On a 4+

Start of Turn 3 - On a 2+

Start of Turn 4 - They've gotten bored and found something else to do, so don't turn up.

If Belegar arrives from the Northern mines, he has caught the Orcs unaware and massacred them, so they do not appear at all.

When arriving, the third contingent will deploy 9" onto the table from the Northern edge and can activate as normal. They may not deploy within 4" of a Dwarf unit.

The fourth force have hidden amongst the southern slopes and attempt an attack at the same time as the Northern Orcs.

Start of Turn 1 - On a 6

Start of Turn 2 - On a 4+

Start of Turn 3 - On a 2+

Start of Turn 4 - On a 4+

Start of Turn 5 - On a 6

Start of Turn 6 - Never!

If Belegar arrives from the South, he will destroy this force automatically before arriving on the table.

When arriving, the fourth contingent will deploy 9" onto the table from the Southern edge and can activate as normal. They may not deploy within 4" of a Dwarf unit.

NOTE: Both Orc forces cannot arrive from the North and South at the same time! Roll separately for each in sequence.

Victory Conditions: Fight to the death or until the end of turn 7, where night will fall and the survivors escape under cover of darkness.

Peninsular 1809 - Talavera Battle Report

 Talavera. Its a big one! Without preamble, here we go.............

German division, ready to advance on the French left flank

French centre deploys

Cavalry massed around the hill on the right flank

Rear of the cavalry. This will not be the last time we see the rear of the French cav.

Anglo Portuguese deployments along the table.

We begin with a solid French infantry advance to the river

Half the cavalry advances, whilst the other sits mulling over thoughts of Madrid brothels.

Invariably, the French cavalry starts getting shot to shit.

More French line advances as the British hold firm in position.

The river crossing begins.

Massed British lines await.

French centre right.

On the French left, the German division makes a good showing of attacking the town.

Cavalry begins to engage

Now their coming! The forces begin arriving on the other bank

Germans forcefully take the town, with artillery in support.

Fight in the centre begins

More cavalry pours into the fight.

The town falls into French (well, German) hands.

The lines in the centre continue to engage, now the Cavalry has done their thing.

British cavalry reserve arrives and views the scene

Whilst the French reserves arrive.

More cavalry going into the centre, but those British lines are holding strong and in depth

Germans begin to consolidate and try to flank the central British units

Whilst the Portuguese attempt to hold them back.

One v painful French artillery battery causing problems.

Back to the central fight and its all on.

Heavy cavalry clash!

Neither side is giving way here.

V aggressive French commanders meeting solid defence lines though. 

And with that, it was nigh a draw. Very very close win to the French, perhaps, but all accounts a draw.

Phew.......big game, big armies and a lot happening!