Terence Fisher (23 February 1904 – 18 June 1980) was a British film director best known for his work for

Hammer Films A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nails into wood, to shape metal (as wi ...

. He was the first to bring gothic horror alive in full colour, and the sexual overtones and explicit horror in his films, while mild by modern standards, were unprecedented in his day. His first major gothic horror film was '' The Curse of Frankenstein'' (1957), which launched Hammer's association with the genre and made British actors Peter Cushing and

Christopher Lee Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (27 May 1922 – 7 June 2015) was an English actor and singer. In a long career spanning more than 60 years, Lee often portrayed villains, and appeared as Count Dracula in seven Hammer Horror films, ultim ...

leading horror stars of the era. He went on to film several adaptations of classic horror subjects, including ''

Dracula ''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taki ...

'' (1958), ''

The Mummy A mummy is an unusually well preserved corpse. Mummy or The Mummy may also refer to: Places * Mummy Range, a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado in the United States * Mummy Cave, a rock shelter and archeological site in P ...

'' (1959), and '' The Curse of the Werewolf'' (1961). Given their subject matter and lurid approach, Fisher's films, though commercially successful, were largely dismissed by critics during his career. It is only in recent years that Fisher has become recognised as an ''

auteur An auteur (; , 'author') is an artist with a distinctive approach, usually a film director whose filmmaking control is so unbounded but personal that the director is likened to the "author" of the film, which thus manifests the director's unique ...

'' in his own right. His most famous films are characterised by a blend of fairytale myth and the supernatural alongside themes of sexuality, morality, and "the charm of evil". Drawing heavily on a conservative

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι� ...

outlook, there is often a hero who defeats the powers of darkness by a combination of

faith Faith, derived from Latin ''fides'' and Old French ''feid'', is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or In the context of religion, one can define faith as "belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion". Religious people ofte ...

in God and

reason Reason is the capacity of consciously applying logic by drawing conclusions from new or existing information, with the aim of seeking the truth. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, lang ...

, in contrast to other characters, who are either blindly

superstitious A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly applied to beliefs and ...

or bound by cold, godless

rationalism In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification".Lacey, A.R. (1996), ''A Dictionary of Philosophy' ...

Biography

Early life

Fisher was born in

Maida Vale Maida Vale ( ) is an affluent residential district consisting of the northern part of Paddington in West London, west of St John's Wood and south of Kilburn. It is also the name of its main road, on the continuous Edgware Road. Maida Vale ...

, a district of London. He left school aged 16 and served in the Merchant Navy for five years. He first broke into the film industry as a clapper boy at

Lime Grove Studios Lime Grove Studios was a film, and later television, studio complex in Shepherd's Bush, West London, England. The complex was built by the Gaumont Film Company in 1915. It was situated in Lime Grove, a residential street in Shepherd's Bush, a ...

Shepherd's Bush Shepherd's Bush is a district of West London, England, within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham west of Charing Cross, and identified as a major metropolitan centre in the London Plan. Although primarily residential in character ...

in 1933.

Editor

Fisher did his first work as an assistant editor in 1934. At Gainsborough Pictures he received his first

editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, or ...

credit on ''

Tudor Rose The Tudor rose (sometimes called the Union rose) is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the House of Tudor, which united the House of Lancaster and the House of York. The Tudor rose consists o ...

'' (1936). Following this came '' Jack of All Trades'' (1936) for

Robert Stevenson Robert Stevenson may refer to: * Robert Stevenson (actor and politician) (1915–1975), American actor and politician * Robert Stevenson (civil engineer) (1772–1850), Scottish lighthouse engineer * Robert Stevenson (director) (1905–1986), Engli ...

, and '' Where There's a Will'' (1936) and '' Windbag the Sailor'' (1936) for

William Beaudine William Washington Beaudine (January 15, 1892 – March 18, 1970) was an American film actor and director. He was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors, turning out films in remarkable numbers and in a wide variety of genres. Life and car ...

. At Warner Bros he edited ''

Mr. Satan , known as Hercule in certain edited versions of the English dub and in Viz's English manga, is a character from the ''Dragon Ball'' media franchise. Created by Akira Toriyama, he first appears in Chapter 393 of the ''Dragon Ball'' manga entitle ...

'' (1938), ''

On the Night of the Fire ''On the Night of the Fire'', released in the United States as ''The Fugitive'', is a 1939 British thriller film, directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Ralph Richardson and Diana Wynyard. The film is based on the novel of the same nam ...

'' (1939), '' Atlantic Ferry'' (1940), ''

The Peterville Diamond ''The Peterville Diamond'' is a 1942 British comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Anne Crawford, Donald Stewart and Renee Houston. It is also known by the alternative title ''Jewel Robbery''. - from the 1931 play of the same titl ...

'' (1941), and '' Flying Fortress'' (1942). Fisher did '' Tomorrow We Live'' (1943) and '' Candlelight in Algeria'' (1944) for British Aviation Films, ''

They Met in the Dark ''They Met in the Dark'' is a 1943 British comedy thriller film directed by Karel Lamač and starring James Mason, Joyce Howard and Edward Rigby. The screenplay concerns a cashiered Royal Naval officer and a young woman who join forces to solve ...

'' (1943) for

Marcel Hellman Marcel Hellman (31 May 1898 – 28 April 1986) was a Romanian-born British film producer, who worked closely with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Harold French. In 1936 he founded Criterion Film Productions together with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., ...

, '' The Dark Tower'' (1943) for Warners, and '' One Exciting Night'' (1944). Among his final films as editor were '' The Wicked Lady'' (1945), one of the most popular British films of the time, and '' Master of Bankdam'' (1947).

Early films as director

Fisher's first film as director was '' A Song for Tomorrow'' (1948), a second feature for Highbury Productions. For the same company he did '' Colonel Bogey'' (1948) and ''

To the Public Danger ''To the Public Danger'' is a 1948 British drama short film directed by Terence Fisher and produced by John Croydon. It stars Dermot Walsh, Susan Shaw, Barry Letts, and Frederick Piper. The film was made at Highbury Studios as a second featu ...

'' (1948). These were low budget films, though Fisher moved over to Gainsborough for more prestigious movies: '' Portrait from Life'' (1948) with

Mai Zetterling Mai Elisabeth Zetterling (; 24 May 1925 – 17 March 1994) was a Swedish film director, novelist and actor. Early life Zetterling was born in Västerås, Sweden to a working class family. She started her career as an actor at the age of 17 at ...

; '' Marry Me!'' (1949) with Derek Bond; '' The Astonished Heart'' (1950) with

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...

(replacing Michael Redgrave during filming); ''

So Long at the Fair ''So Long at the Fair'' (US re-release title ''The Black Curse'') is a 1950 British thriller film directed by Terence Fisher and Antony Darnborough, and starring Jean Simmons and Dirk Bogarde. It was adapted from the 1947 novel of the same nam ...

'' (1950) with

Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as '' Doctor in the House'' (1954) for the Rank Org ...

and

Jean Simmons Jean Merilyn Simmons, (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Great Britain during and aft ...

. Fisher returned to supporting features with ''

Home to Danger ''Home to Danger'' is a 1951 British film noir crime film directed by Terence Fisher starring Guy Rolfe, Rona Anderson and Stanley Baker. It was made at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith as a supporting feature. The film's sets were desig ...

'' (1951) for Eros Films. Fisher's first feature for

was '' The Last Page'' (1951), one of a number of low budget thrillers that studio were then making, usually with an imported American star to appeal to the US market; ''The Last Page'' featured George Brent and

Diana Dors Diana Dors (born Diana Mary Fluck; 23 October 19314 May 1984) was an English actress and singer. Dors came to public notice as a blonde bombshell, much in the style of Americans Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. Dors was p ...

. Hammer liked Fisher's work and kept him on for ''

Wings of Danger ''Wings of Danger'', released in the United States as ''Dead on Course'', is a 1952 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Zachary Scott, Robert Beatty and Kay Kendall.Erickson, Ha"Overview: 'Wings of Danger' (1952)."''AllMo ...

'' (1952) with

Zachary Scott Zachary Scott (February 21, 1914 – October 3, 1965)Obituary '' Variety'', October 6, 1965. was an American actor who was known for his roles as villains and "mystery men". Early life Scott was born in Austin, Texas, the son of Sallie L ...

, and ''

Stolen Face ''Stolen Face'' is a 1952 British film noir directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paul Henreid, Lizabeth Scott and André Morell. It was made at Riverside Studios by Hammer Film Productions. Plot Dr. Philip Ritter, a plastic surgeon (Paul He ...

'' (1952) with Paul Henreid and Lizabeth Scott. After making ''

Distant Trumpet ''Distant Trumpet'' is a 1952 British drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Derek Bond and Jean Patterson. A Harley Street doctor answers the call to perform medical missionary work in Africa, taking over from his indisposed brothe ...

'' (1952) for Meridian Films, Fisher returned to Hammer for '' Mantrap'' (1953) with Henreid; ''

Four Sided Triangle ''Four Sided Triangle'' is a 1953 British science-fiction film directed by Terence Fisher, adapted from the 1949 novel by William F. Temple. It stars Stephen Murray, Barbara Payton and James Hayter. It was produced by Hammer Film Production ...

'' (1953) with

Barbara Payton Barbara Lee Payton (born Barbara Lee Redfield; November 16, 1927 – May 8, 1967) was an American film actress best known for her stormy social life and battles with alcoholism and drug addiction. Her life has been the subject of several bo ...

; ''

Spaceways ''Spaceways'' is a 1953 science fiction drama film from Hammer Film Productions Ltd. and Lippert Productions Inc., produced by Michael Carreras, directed by Terence Fisher, that stars Howard Duff and Eva Bartok, and co-stars Alan Wheatley. ' ...

'' (1953), a science fiction story, with

Howard Duff Howard is an English-language given name originating from Old French Huard (or Houard) from a Germanic source similar to Old High German ''*Hugihard'' "heart-brave", or ''*Hoh-ward'', literally "high defender; chief guardian". It is also probabl ...

; '' Blood Orange'' (1953), a crime film with Tom Conway; '' Face the Music'' (1954) with

Alex Nicol Alexander Livingston Nicol Jr. (January 20, 1916 – July 29, 2001) was an American actor and film director. Nicol appeared in many Westerns including '' The Man from Laramie'' (1955). He appeared in more than forty feature films as well as dir ...

; ''

Murder by Proxy ''Murder by Proxy'' is a 1954 British film noir crime drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Dane Clark, Belinda Lee and Betty Ann Davies. The screenplay concerns a man who is offered money to marry a woman. It was produced by Hamme ...

'' (1954) with Dane Clark; and ''

A Stranger Came Home ''A Stranger Came Home'' is a 1954 British film noir directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paulette Goddard, William Sylvester and Patrick Holt. The film was produced by Hammer Films at Bray Studios with sets designed by the art director ...

'' (1954) with Paulette Goddard. He made ''

Final Appointment ''Final Appointment'' is a 1954 British comedy thriller film directed by Terence Fisher, and starring John Bentley, Eleanor Summerfield and Hubert Gregg. It also features Arthur Lowe, later to become famous for his portrayal of Captain Main ...

'' (1954) outside Hammer with John Bentley then went back to Hammer for ''

Mask of Dust ''Mask of Dust'' (later named 'Race for Life' ) is a 1954 British motor racing drama film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Richard Conte, Mari Aldon and Peter Illing. The film was based on the 1953 novel ''The Last Race'' by Jon Manchi ...

'' (1954) with Richard Conte. He made the comedy '' Children Galore'' (1955) and the ''Final Appointment'' sequel '' Stolen Assignment'' (1955). Next came another movie with Bentley, '' The Flaw'' (1955) before he made two crime films, ''

The Gelignite Gang ''The Gelignite Gang'' is a black and white 1956 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher and Francis Searle, starring Wayne Morris and Sandra Dorne. The film was released in the U.S. as ''The Dynamiters''. Plot American insurance inve ...

'' (1956) and ''

The Last Man to Hang? ''The Last Man to Hang?'' is a 1956 crime film directed by Terence Fisher. It stars Tom Conway and Elizabeth Sellars. The film was produced by John Gossage for Act Films Ltd. Plot Music critic Sir Roderick Strood is having an affair with a be ...

'' (1956). He was hired by

Tempean Films Tempean Films was a British film production company formed in 1948 by Robert Baker and Monty Berman. Tempean's output of B movies were distributed by Eros Films. The company later moved into television, adapting Leslie Charteris' series of T ...

to make a final crime thriller with an imported American star, '' Kill Me Tomorrow'' (1957) with Pat O'Brien. During the 1950s Fisher also worked frequently in British television, directing episodes of series such as ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Technicolor swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia d ...

'' and '' Sword of Freedom''.

Hammer Horror films

Fisher's career changed direction permanently when Hammer asked him to direct '' The Curse of Frankenstein'' (1957), their first colour horror film. It was the company's most important project to date, and Fisher was hand-picked by Hammer management to helm the film as he had a reputation for reliability. Working from a script by Jimmy Sangster that re-imagined the lengthy original

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itself ...

as a gruesome, morally ambiguous chamber piece, the film saw British TV star Peter Cushing cast as Baron Victor Frankenstein whilst the then little-known supporting actor

portrayed the Creature. It was a handsome-looking, quality production and an international box office smash; alarming British critics and raising the standard for what was acceptable in terms of on-screen violence and gore, the film established Hammer as a leading brand name in the British film industry. Hammer had even more financial success with Fisher's second gothic horror film ''

'' (1958), starring Lee in the title role and Cushing as his adversary Doctor Van Helsing. Once again reducing the scope of its source

in line with Hammer's budgetary constraints, the screenplay minimised both the geographical settings and the number of characters, and the result was a compact, atmospheric and action-packed chiller in which Lee portrayed the figure of the vampire Count Dracula as having an animalistic sexuality that had never before been presented on screen. It is today regarded as a trailblazer in the horror film genre, the archetypal Hammer film, and the greatest of Fisher's directorial efforts. For the rest of his career, Fisher worked almost exclusively within the horror genre. ''

The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set ...

'' (1959), with Cushing, Lee, and André Morell was an adaptation of the famous

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...

given a horror slant, whilst Cushing and Lee also starred in ''

'' (1959), a pastiche of the Universal Mummy movies of the 1940s. '' The Revenge of Frankenstein'' (1958), with Cushing and Francis Matthews, was a successful sequel to ''The Curse of Frankenstein'', whilst ''

The Man Who Could Cheat Death ''The Man Who Could Cheat Death'' is a 1959 British horror film, directed by Terence Fisher and starring Anton Diffring, Hazel Court, and Christopher Lee. Jimmy Sangster adapted the screenplay from the play '' The Man in Half Moon Street'' by ...

'' (1959) was a remake of ''

The Man in Half Moon Street ''The Man in Half Moon Street'' is a 1945 science fiction romantic melodrama dealing with a man who retains his youth and cannot die, living throughout the ages. The plot is similar to Oscar Wilde's '' Picture of Dorian Gray'', except that the ...

'' (1945), and featured Lee in a more heroic role than usual, opposite

Anton Diffring Anton Diffring (born Alfred Pollack, 20 October 1916 – 19 May 1989) was a German-born character actor who had an extensive career in the United Kingdom from the 1940s to the 1980s, latterly appearing in international films. He appeared in ove ...

. Fisher directed another hit sequel, '' The Brides of Dracula'' (1960) starring Cushing, Freda Jackson,

Martita Hunt Martita Edith Hunt (30 January 190013 June 1969) was an Argentine-born British theatre and film actress. She had a dominant stage presence and played a wide range of powerful characters. She is best remembered for her performance as Miss Havish ...

and David Peel, whilst ''

The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll ''The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll'' is a 1960 British horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions. It was directed by Terence Fisher, and stars Paul Massie as Dr. Jekyll, and co-stars Dawn Addams, Christopher Lee and David Kossoff. The screenp ...

'' (1960) had Paul Massie in the title role with Lee and

Dawn Addams Victoria Dawn Addams (21 September 1930 – 7 May 1985) was a British actress, particularly in Hollywood motion pictures of the 1950s and on British television in the 1960s and 1970s. She became a princess in 1954 (until 1971). Early years Ad ...

in support, but it was one of the first Hammer horrors to perform disappointingly at the box office. However, Hammer didn't only assign him to gothic chillers; '' The Stranglers of Bombay'' (1959) was a different kind of horror, a tale of the

thuggee Thuggee (, ) are actions and crimes carried out by Thugs, historically, organised gangs of professional robbers and murderers in India. The English word ''thug'' traces its roots to the Hindi ठग (), which means 'swindler' or 'deceiver'. Rela ...

cult in Imperial India starring Guy Rolfe and Allan Cuthbertson. Fisher had a change of pace when he directed '' Sword of Sherwood Forest'' (1960) for Hammer, with Richard Greene reprising his small screen role as

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is dep ...

from the ITV series on which he had previously worked with Fisher. Also featured in a supporting part was

Oliver Reed Robert Oliver Reed (13 February 1938 – 2 May 1999) was an English actor known for his well-to-do, macho image and "hellraiser" lifestyle. After making his first significant screen appearances in Hammer Horror films in the early 1960s, his ...

shortly before Hammer cast him in the lead role of Fisher's '' The Curse of the Werewolf'' (1961). Then came '' The Phantom of the Opera'' (1962) starring Herbert Lom; it was one of Hammer's most expensive films but proved a relative commercial letdown, and following its release Fisher did not work for Hammer again for over two years.

Director for hire

German company

CCC Film CCC Film (German: Central Cinema Compagnie-Film GmbH) is a German film production company founded in 1946 by Artur Brauner. A Polish Jew who survived the Nazi era by fleeing to the Soviet Union, he lost dozens of relatives to the Nazis. His primar ...

hired Fisher to make his first movie outside Hammer since 1957, ''

Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace ''Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace'' (German: ''Sherlock Holmes und das Halsband des Todes'') is a 1962 mystery film directed by Terence Fisher. It is a West German-French-Italian international co-production. The film starred Christopher ...

'' (1962), starring Lee as Holmes, but making the film was an unhappy experience for the director and it remains an obscurity.

Lippert Pictures Lippert Pictures was an American film production and distribution company controlled by Robert L. Lippert. History Robert L. Lippert (1909-1976) was a successful exhibitor, owning a chain of movie theaters in California and Oregon. He was frustrat ...

then employed Fisher for ''

The Horror of It All ''The Horror of It All'' is a 1964 British horror comedy film directed by Terence Fisher and with a screenplay by Ray Russell. It stars Pat Boone and Erica Rogers. Plot American encyclopedia salesman Jack Robinson arrives at a dilapidated mans ...

'' (1963), a horror comedy starring

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer and actor. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in mo ...

, but it received poor reviews and was not a success. He finally worked for Hammer again when they reunited him with both Cushing and Lee for '' The Gorgon'' (1964), a personal favourite of the director, before Lippert used him once more for the black-and-white

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

film ''

The Earth Dies Screaming ''The Earth Dies Screaming'' is a 1964 British science-fiction horror film directed by Terence Fisher, written by Harry Spalding, and starring Willard Parker, Virginia Field, and Dennis Price.John Hamilton, ''The British Independent Horror Fi ...

'' (1964), featuring American actor Willard Parker alongside Dennis Price and Fisher's close friend Thorley Walters. Fisher directed another science fiction film, ''

Island of Terror ''Island of Terror'' is a 1966 British horror film released by Planet Film Productions. The film was released in the United States by Universal Studios on a double bill with ''The Projected Man'' (1967). The idea for the film came when the produ ...

'' (1966), for Planet Film Productions, which starred Cushing alongside Edward Judd. Back at Hammer he worked on further entries to their most famous franchises, with Lee, Barbara Shelley and

Andrew Keir Andrew Keir (né Buggy, 3 April 19265 October 1997) was a Scottish actor who appeared in a number of films made by Hammer Film Productions in the 1960s. He was also active in television, and especially in the theatre, in a professional career ...

starring in '' Dracula: Prince of Darkness'' (1966), whilst '' Frankenstein Created Woman'' (1967) once again featured Cushing. Fisher, Cushing and Lee then worked together on Planet's '' Night of the Big Heat'' (1967), adapted from a sci-fi story by John Lymington.

Final films

For Hammer, Fisher and Lee next made ''

The Devil Rides Out ''The Devil Rides Out'' is a 1934 novel by Dennis Wheatley telling a disturbing story of black magic and the occult. The four main characters, the Duke de Richleau, Rex van Ryn, Simon Aron and Richard Eaton, appear in a series of novels by Whea ...

'' (1968), from the novel by

Dennis Wheatley Dennis Yeats Wheatley (8 January 1897 – 10 November 1977) was a British writer whose prolific output of thrillers and occult novels made him one of the world's best-selling authors from the 1930s through the 1960s. His Gregory Sallust series w ...

, which is now a very highly regarded genre classic, whilst Cushing starred in '' Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed'' (1969), which was conceived as a climax to the Frankenstein series; it was another favourite of Fisher's and stands up as one of his most suspenseful and exciting movies. After injuries sustained in a pair of road accidents resulted in lengthy periods of convalescence, Fisher returned to Hammer for the final time to make '' Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell'' (1974), which was to be his last film. A financial failure that was written off as being very much behind-the-times when it was first released, more recently the movie has been reappraised as a worthy and melancholic "last hurrah" for Fisher and Hammer's style of horror in general. After several years in retirement, Terence Fisher died in June 1980 at the age of 76.

Filmography

The following is a list of the theatrical films in which Terence Fisher received screen credit. Television productions are not included.

As editor

# ''

'' (1936) as T.R. Fisher # '' Where There's a Will'' (1936) # '' Jack of All Trades'' (1936) as Terry Fisher # '' Windbag the Sailor'' (1936) # ''

'' (1938) # ''

'' (1939) a.k.a. ''The Fugitive'' (US) # '' That's the Ticket'' (1940) # '' Atlantic Ferry'' (1941) # ''

'' (1942) # '' Flying Fortress'' (1942) # '' Tomorrow We Live'' (1943) a.k.a. ''At Dawn We Die'' (US) # ''

'' (1943) # '' The Dark Tower'' (1943) # '' Candlelight in Algeria'' (1944) # '' One Exciting Night'' (1944) # '' The Wicked Lady'' (1945) # '' Master of Bankdam'' (1947)

As director

# '' A Song for Tomorrow'' (1948) # '' Colonel Bogey'' (1948) # ''

'' (1948) # '' Portrait from Life'' (1948) a.k.a. ''Lost Daughter'' (US) # '' Marry Me!'' (1949) # '' The Astonished Heart'' (1950) co-director with Antony Darnborough # ''

'' (1950) co-director with Antony Darnborough # ''

'' (1951) # '' The Last Page'' (1952) a.k.a. ''Man Bait'' (US) # ''

'' (1952) a.k.a. ''Dead on Course'' (US) # ''

'' (1952) # ''

'' (1952) # '' Mantrap'' (1953) also as co-screenwriter, a.k.a. ''Man in Hiding'' (US) # ''

'' (1953) also as co-screenwriter # ''

'' (1953) # '' Blood Orange'' (1953) a.k.a. ''Three Stops to Murder'' (US) # '' Face the Music'' (1954) a.k.a. ''The Black Glove'' (US) # ''

'' (1954) a.k.a. ''Blackout'' (US) # ''

'' (1954) a.k.a. ''The Unholy Four'' (US) # ''

'' (1954) a.k.a. ''The Last Appointment'' (US) # ''

'' (1954) a.k.a. ''Race for Life'' (US) # '' Children Galore'' (1954) # '' Stolen Assignment'' (1955) # '' The Flaw'' (1955) # ''

'' (1956) a.k.a. ''The Dynamiters'' (US) # ''

'' (1956) # '' The Curse of Frankenstein'' (1957) # '' Kill Me Tomorrow'' (1957) # ''

'' (1958) a.k.a. ''Horror of Dracula'' (US) # '' The Revenge of Frankenstein'' (1958) # ''

'' (1959) # ''

'' (1959) # '' The Stranglers of Bombay'' (1959) # ''

'' (1960) a.k.a. ''Jekyll’s Inferno'' / ''House of Fright'' (US) # '' The Brides of Dracula'' (1960) # '' Sword of Sherwood Forest'' (1960) # '' The Curse of the Werewolf'' (1961) # '' The Phantom of the Opera'' (1962) # ''

'' (1962) # ''

'' (1963) # '' The Gorgon'' (1964) # ''

'' (1964) # '' Dracula: Prince of Darkness'' (1966) # ''

'' (1966) # '' Frankenstein Created Woman'' (1967) # '' Night of the Big Heat'' (1967) a.k.a. ''Island of the Burning Damned'' (US) # ''

'' (1968) a.k.a. ''The Devil's Bride'' (US) # '' Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed'' (1969) # '' Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell'' (1974)

References

Terence Fisher biography on (re)Search my Trash

External links

* *

at Little Shoppe of Horrors * {{DEFAULTSORT:Fisher, Terence 1904 births 1980 deaths Horror film directors English film directors German-language film directors English-language film directors English film editors People from Maida Vale