Customer Reviews

Dark Shadows (Special Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first "Dark Shadows" entry into the DVD arena is undoubtedly a mixed bag, though viewers who can overlook its technical and creative flaws should find plenty of interest. While much of its material is culled from previous VHS releases, the DVD format offers a sufficient number of unique features to justify its purchase.

The meat of the disc is to be found in its documentaries, all of which are previously released. "Dark Shadows: Behind the Scenes" is a fascinating hour-long programme, which consists of a broad selection of vintage and original cast interviews, backed to series highlights. With the addition of rare home movie footage and trailers, it succeeds at placing the "Dark Shadows" phenomenon firmly in context, though feels distinctly light on hard facts, lacking a needed authority on its subject matter. In "Inside the Shadows", creator Dan Curtis makes a leisurely, but modestly diverting commentary on the show, with some overlong archive exerpts. Finally, series star Nancy Barrett takes viewers "On Location", for a tour of series filming locations. While this segment is well-researched and nicely composed, it fails to fully ignite, emerging as a quaint aside, though nothing essential.

Elsewhere, there is an original episode of the series with its dubbed Spanish language soundtrack (though sadly no choice of alternative English audio); some movie trailers; and finally, "Dark Shadows: Nightmares and Dreams", which compiles some of the show's imaginative dream excursions, but through non-existent presentation only succeeds in making them dull and tedious.

As a bonus from the material available on VHS, there are some nice extras, in the form of a scratchy copy of a previously lost commercial for a "Dark Shadows" board game, recorded on the Collinwood set with Jonathan Frid; a series of 1980s "Dark Shadows" PBS pledge spots again featuring Frid; an exemplarly Picture Gallery, featuring beatiful rare pictures and sound cues; and finally a few text-only features, which seem notable only for their staggering pointlessness.

Where the disk genuinely fails is in its lack of overall cohesion and variable picture quality. While certain segments look excellent, others fail with smeary overcompressed pictures, particularly in the "On Location" segment. This chapter is also prone to compatability issues on certain players, though I experienced no problems on mine.

In spite of the technical problems, this emerges as a worthy package offering a broad range of content and excellent value for money. While it would be churlish to criticise this at length, a more focused approach and a desire not to shoehorn in excessive material at the cost of picture quality, would help make future releases more essential viewing. Hopefully future "Dark Shadows" DVDs can address these teething troubles, allowing their presentation to match the content. As times, less can definitely be more.

Now that America's Sci-Fi Channel has decided to permanently cancel reruns of "Dark Shadows," this special DVD, along with the DS DVD collections, makes a terrific gift for Dark Shadows and vampire lovers everywhere.

Among the high points are a behind-the-scenes documentary, featuring most of the regular cast, and a documentary on location shooting, hosted by Nancy Barrett (Carolyn Stoddard). Who knew that Collinswood doubled as a girls' summer school in real life? (No doubt where the idea of "Satan's School for Girls" originated!) A episode dubbed into Spanish is fascinating - even in another language, the evocative music, tumbling winds and black and white cinematography manage to create a creepy gothic mood.

There are also vintage commercials featuring the Dark Shadows cast, from a Dark Shadows boardgame targeted to kids, goofy New Jersey PBS ads with Jonathon Frid (Barnabus Collins), to a cast member in a deodorant ad doing a ... Bogart impression?!

The only down note is a rather boring ad for additional DS merchandise, hosted briefly by Lara Parker (Angelique) and Pomegranate Press publisher Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) - as well as a streaming (rather than static) list of credits of DS actors.

Recommended - especially for those who loved the series as children in the 1960s and 1970s.

This DVD contains a treasure trove of Dark Shadows bonus material, such as interviews and clips. An excellent buy now that the series has made its debut on DVD. Pretty good menu as well, though not as good as the series DVD menu.

I am a HUGE fan of Dark Shadows...and this collection of some of MPI's compilations and documentaries is a nice start....but who wants a Spanish episode on a Region 1 disc? I could see it as an extra on the disc of the English episode....oh well, very informative programming for those into the series. I have one question for MPI: WHERE'S THE ORIGINAL SERIES ON DVD? With DVD18, they could fit the entire series on 50 volumes or less...but nothing is scheduled....MPI: fans are waiting

This is an awesome DVD! I grew up watching Dark Shadows on ABC, and this brought back such great, creepy memories. The behind the scenes stuff is very interesting and informative. You get an update on cast members, and they even give you a Spanish Episode! I have recommended this disc to all my friends.

PERFECT "Behind the scenes" DVD to go with the OUTSTANDING DVD box set! LOVE seeing the Game Board commercial, the ABC Announcement about a time change, home movies, commercials, etc.

This special edition is a compiliation of several single titles which were originally released on videotape. This title contains short snipets of some scenes which have been cut from their original length. The material is interesting and brings back some of the best scenes from the tv program.

My main and only really bothersome problems with this dvd has been that it would lock up totally when I tried to play the portion of the disc which contains the tour of collinwood by Nancy Barrett (Carloyn Stoddart). I tried to access this portion of the dvd using two different copies and still it locked up tight. The only way to get the machine to unlock was to to turn the machine off and then on again.

I thought this was a problems with just my Magnavox dvd player so I sent it in to Magnavox for servicing. They told me that they would modify it and upgrade it for free so that my machine would be able to track and play any dvd program as it was just purchased and was still in warranty. But to my surprise even after this modification I still can not play the above program track I mentioned. I must therefore now conclude that there is some type of defect in the dvd's of this title which my player is sensitive.

I don't have any new imformation to add. I just wanted to also express an interest for MPI making the series available on DVD. I would add that I enjoyed the Nightmares and Dreams section. It brought back memories from the show, though there were some that needed more of the storyline to remember what was taking place to bring on the dream.

This DVD serves as a great appetizer before plunging into the main course of watching this classic series. The looks behind the camera at how the show and its various storylines came to be created are fascinating and unfailingly entertaining. The tour of the opulent mansion that served as the exterior of Collinwood is fascinating, guided by the charming Nancy Barrett (who played Carolyn Stoddard, Millicent Collins, Melanie Collins, and others throughout the show's run). The promo spots are amusing, especially those with Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins, Bramwell Collins) promoting a local PBS channel, and an ad with Jerry Lacey (Reverend Trask and his various descendants) re-creating the Humphrey Bogart impersonation he so effectively portrayed on stage and screen in Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam." The Spanish episode is amusing, especially being a cobwebs-and-thunder episode where not a lot happens, but the overall flavor of the show is teasingly presented. All-in-all, an entertaining and nostalgic evening's viewing. Recommended.

I recently had the opportunity, by certain Satanic Machinations, to possess this relatively rare copy which was staring at Me in the face, and being that I Am a fantom of this dark series, I just had to take it back the Lair with Me. The familiar and classically menacing face was a welcomed evocation, conjuring forboding and eerie visions of the charming and dapper vampire who for centuries has held an enchanted grasp on the Collinswood Estate, presiding from his darkened abode at The Old House.

Twists and turns in the ingenious plots, literary and aesthetic innovations, compelling characters, a repletion of The Occult, covering subjects such as witches, demons, mad scientists, zombies, crazed parsons, werewolves, ghosts, cultists, seances, time travel, dream curses, parapsychologists, all encompassed in the world of Dark Shadows.

I have always found the resident vampire Barnabas Collins to be far more interesting than most of the likes of what is popularly presented to the masses as the ideal, who are rather one-dimensional characters with blood-dripping gore. Barnabas enjoyed being a vampire, at first struggling with the transition, expressing a varying degree of emotions such as love, compassion, and sadness, yet always remaining the gentleman, the model of deportment and grace - a true role-model of etiquette.

This DVD is divided into three sections - Programs, Additional Material, and subtitles in the Main Menu, which then also contain subdivisions. The infamous fanged rictus leers from the foggy shadows amidst the unforgettable theme song which has since been replicated time and time again by many a horror flick. It is also this pervasive musick which has settled into the culture's subconcious as that which is indicative of the supernatural. As an example, when around a campfire, or in a candle-lit room relating ghost stories, and other paranormal events, there always seems to be a joker in the group who orally duplicates the song {"ooo-wee-ooo"} to attempt to lighten up the atmosphere. This is the original source of that gesture.

As one is choosing a destination from the Main Menu, you notice that Barnabas' ring gleams, and his eyes are moving, beckoning you on to a choice.


PROGRAMS


* Behind The Scenes

See extremely rare footage of the first ever episode of Dark Shadows, which aired on 6/27\1966, but was originally filmed on 6/13\1966, the Spring of Year One, Walpurgisnacht Season.

Here we are regailed with many interesting little anecdotes about the goings-on when the cameras were turned aside, and in some cases, while they were still on. A couple of humorous "bloopers" are shown, and just some of the fumbled lines which occurred, but being that this series was done completely live {except, of course, for the afore-mentioned promos}, the show fairs extremely well considering all factors. Some explanations of the construction and placing of the sets, and some other accidental occurrences are discussed.

* Nightmares & Dreams

Twenty or so more magnificent blissful minutes of the many dream sequences spread throughout the series, which every character experienced, most of them were obviously comprised of the "Dream Curse" cast by Angelique the Witch, each becoming more horriffic until the etheric wave was to strike Barnabas - and such is the love/hate dynamic factor underlying the entire series.

Mesmerizing transitions in fog and softly glittering kaleidoscopic light.

* On Location

Nancy Barrett hosts this segment, which is a wonderful documentary on the house itself, otherwise known as Seaview Terrace in Maine, a beautiful and sprawling estate which faces the Atlantic Ocean from the opposite view of the infamous one covered in sea mist we are used to seeing during the introduction of every show. as well as a couple of other locations, which are also steeped in rich history.

A couple of taverns are looked into as well, one of which the DS fantom will recognize as The Blue Whale.

* Inside The Shadows

Series producer Dan Curtis comments on the origins, personalities and motivations of the characters within this dark universe of romance and terror, as well as the actors themselves, and relates a few anecdotes on some of the goings-on in the storylines and public appearences. In the beginning, it was only intended as a Gothic romance soap-opera, but eventually evolved into a far more fascinating series which has since become a classic of supernatural horror. It all began with the introduction of the vampire, who took on a life all his own {pun intended}. He brought in the iconoclastic notion that the vampire did not completely lose his humanity, or other reasoning functions, including more of a plethora of emotional expressions - the audience actually began feeling empathy for the villain, as it were, who can be as intensely and heartlessly cruel to his enemies, as well as administering draconian justice to the deserving rotten {quite Satanic}, serving as the balancing factor, but is also capable of expressing intense undying love for his beloved, even beyond the grave, and searches tragically through the centuries for his Josette, who finally seemingly reincarnates in the 20th century.

Along with Dan Curtis, several of the actors comment on their take on playing their roles, & what they brought to the character.

Inluded herein is also a Spanish episode rarely seen.



ADDITIONAL MATERIAL


* Commercials

A really remarkable collection of commercials showcasing what the actors were promoting for Dark Shadows, before, and after the series. Includes House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows - in this reviewer's opinion, the first is a classic, while the second has its moments, but ends up becoming a rather laborious watch. These are presented in that certain shock quality reminiscient of the 70's genre - great fun to watch. Included also is a piece on The Dark Shadows board game, a commercial for Right Guard anti-persperant {Rev. Trask}, Jergen's lotion {Louis Edmonds}, and Brut aftershave {David Selby}. True gems for the video collector.

* Promotional Spots

These are original highly dramatic black & white commercials for the series, enticing the viewer to find out "the secret of the chain". Johnathan Frid makes a more recent appearence on a Public access program from New Jersey promoting the station, and advertising a mug {filled with......coffee}, a Dark Shadows T-Shirt worn by him, and a picture of "the handsome devil" in return for viewer support. Quite a deal!

* Photo Gallery and Music Montage

Wonderful and memorable stills accompanied with selections from the Dark Shadows soundtrack. Would make a very nice screensaver. Shots include that of the haunted Victoria Winters, the noble Mr. & Mrs. Collins-Stoddard, the effervescent little David Collins, a diabolically fanged Barnabas, the sniveling Willie Loomis, a nubile Caroline Collins, and the ever-wicked Angelique DuPres. A great collection of images.

* Program History

Glamor photographs arranged in a collage, detailing the origin and plot of this momentously sinister entertainment.

* Outside The Shadows

Relates the subsequent careers of the actors, who have gone on to appear in such myriad films {to name but a few}, as 'Mark of The Vampire', 'Amityville 3-D: The Demon', 'This House Possessed', 'The Passion of Dracula', 'Exorcist II: The Heretic', 'Dead of Night', episodes of 'The Twilight Zone', 'Curse of The Living Corpse', 'The Devil's Daughter' {recommended}, 'The Exorcist' {recommended}, 'Gargoyles' {recommended}, episodes of 'Night Gallery', 'Satan's School For Girls', 'The Lost Boys' {recommended}, 'Daughters of Darkness' {recommended}, 'Bloodbath' {recommended}, 'Salem's Lot' {recommended}, 'The Night Stalker', 'Race With The Devil', 'Turn of The Screw', 'Witch's Brew', 'Silent Night, Bloody Night' {recommended}, 'Tales From The Darkside' {recommended}, & 'The Addams Family' {recommended}.

* Subtitles

This entire presentation is also available in bilingual English and Spanish translations.

So pull up a chair, prepare some tea or coffee, turn down the lights, ignite the candles and/or fireplace, let the monitor be your creeking doorway, and step into the timeless terror and bewitching amusement awaiting you deep within the Dark Shadows......