Customer Reviews

Dead Waters

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Keeping in mind that this obscurity was made on the cheap in Russia in the early 90s, there are a lot of positives here. The director tried to make a straightforward atmospheric ode to Lovecraft in a style influenced by the Italian greats, no ironic postmodern jokey humor here to dilute things. There are too few horror films of recent vintage with that kind of lofty ambition and so I give the movie an extra star for that. Some of the other reviewers have complained that the movie is way too derivative: there's really no question that Suspiria, Inferno, and Phenomena in particular influenced the makers of this movie and there are a few obvious/deliberate visual swipes/hommages here and there, but I don't see that as a problem myself. I'd rather see work by a filmmaker perhaps overly influenced by great work than one by someone who's imitating a bunch of crap.

Several of the sequences have nicely done and memorable imagery, are well lit and shot, and overall the movie looks pretty darn good for the low budget. The look of it (lots of rain in an old remote seacoastal town populated by sinister natives) sort of made me think of Stuart Gordon's later Dagon, though the two have a very different approach in tone. The acting is surprisingly not bad: the lead, Louise Salter is pretty and talented and it's a shame that this seems to be really her only movie (and the director's as well). The problems? Well, there are many awkward transitions and moments of poor plot/factual exposition which gives the film a somewhat random cobbled together feel (although the same charge can be said of Argento or Bava or other Italian greats to be fair); some scenes particularly in the middle drag quite a bit; the whole thing should probably have been quite a bit bloodier honestly; the low budget is a problem in a few key places; and unfortunately, the director cannot resist the temptation to include some creature effects toward the end that wind up bringing the whole thing down rather than doing anything positive (Didn't anyone learn from Curse of the Demon? Many other films of course make this same mistake: see Carpenter's Mouth of Madness for another Lovecraftian style narrative from this time period that also blows it badly by showing more than it should).

Bottom line, if you are a fan of serious 70s/80s euro-horror (particularly of a supernatural bent), you should probably give this a shot and watch it (perhaps rent first then decide on a purchase). After all, despite the shortcomings, there haven't been that many films made for those with these tastes in recent years, so it's not like there's a ton of other choices waiting.

From the previous reviews, it seems that one either really likes this film or really detests it. After a bit of reflection, I'll have to count myself in the first camp.

"Dark Waters" is definitely not a usual off-the-shelf, paint-by-numbers horror film. Its appeal (from my viewpoint) is more subtle and mature by far than the hack-'til-you-drop gore-fare that some use to define "horror" today. For me, the dread and horror in "Dark Waters" developed gradually as the film slowly brought the viewer to the point of realizing that he (or she) is inexorably entangled in the tentacles of an inescapable living nightmare. I found myself thinking that if H.P. Lovecraft had nightmares, and if a film crew could enter into them and capture their essence visually and psychologically, the result would not be unlike "Dark Waters."

The film certainly isn't for every taste. If you like lots of violent action, tons of gore and quick gratification, "Dark Waters" will be unsatisfying. But if you enjoy being slowly drawn into a vortex of nightmarish hopelessness in a setting very reminiscent to haunted Innsmouth (with truly crazed nuns perhaps standing in for the depraved Cult of Dagon), then I think you might give "Dark Waters" a viewing.

Dark Waters has got to be one of the best and most underrated obscure horror flicks ever, this unknown horror gem was definitely influenced by Italian horror and you could tell that the director was inspired by Dario Argento. The setting, atmosphere, acting ect. were all top notch but what really set this film off was the dream-like or nightmarish type of atmosphere that prevails throughout the film. Although much of this film is told in a loose narrative style (like many Eurohorror classics), we can gather that a girl named Elizabeth (Louise Salter) is traveling to a convent that her father donated generously to. She is going there to meet her friend Theresa (Anna Rose Phipps) who she has not seen in some time. Upon arrival, Elizabeth is introduced to a girl named Sarah (Venera Simmons) and together they try to uncover the mysteries of the convent and the mysterious disappearance of Theresa. Along the way there are a variety of murderous nuns, a creepy looking amulet, strange characters, a beach full of dead fish, a climax that turns into a barrage of Lovecraftian weirdness, and an aquatic demon. Director Mariano Baino has delivered the feel and look of a European horror movie from the 70's or 80's. Dark Waters also had some great scenery, beautiful cinematography, a great score and each scene has its own personality that may or may not fit into the rest of the film, I was actually surprised that this horror film wasn't as well known during it's release but then again it was released during the early 90's, a time when the horror industry was practically dead. Overall I would have to say that Dark Waters was stylish, coherent, artsy and deeply disturbing, all rolled up into one. You owe it to yourself to go out and pick up a copy of this right now. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer.

This movie is an excellent movie. The suspense is great. It has a decent amount of gore, and the atmosphere is perfect. However, the sound definitely wasn't the best. But, considering what the people making this film had to go through, it's amazing that this film was completed at all. Horror fans should definitely check this movie out.

People who don't like this film must be spoiled by movies with superfluous dialogue that leads nowhere and hollywood blockbuster special effects... Here's my take on this fantastic film...

I was referred to this film by someone in some chat room in '98. He convinced me that having a copy of this film would be worth while, and he was right. It now lists among some of my favorite and most played movies, alongside such classics as Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Liquid Sky, and The Evil Dead. Needless to say that with its appearance on such a lofty list of films one could be overwhelmed by the hype! I assure the reader that this could not be further from the truth. Dark Waters is stylish, coherent, artsy, and deeply disturbing, all rolled up in one. You owe it to yourself to go out and pick up a copy of this right now. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, and that I don't know better Russian.

This is a fine buy, if you like this type of film it is quite good. My reason for this review, however, is due to the fact that Amazon doesn't even bother to change their "editorial review" for different DVD releases. The editorial review refers to a two disc version of the film with bonus shorts, while the same item description is on both pages. These two releases are both by NoShame Films and have the same cover image, and I for one would have liked to see the short films. Thanks a lot Amazon...

I love my TERROR movies! I had just moved into a new place
and my girl Beth helped me. She laughed when it was time
for me to put my DVD'S on the shelf for my HORROR are my
baby's. And I put my movies by year they were made and
if same year which one I prefer best. When it came time
for 90's and 2000's she commented that I really did not
have much in those decades...TELL ME ABOUT IT! So I really
have been seeking out NEW HORROR and came across this!
DARK WATERS. Not the most orig.name but still looks
pretty cool. This time I watched it before buying and
really enjoyed it. The imagery is fantastic and the first
HORROR film that I have from MOTHER RUSSIA! Oh! the plot!
C'mon my Amazon sisters and brothers you can read the review
right below me for that... I'm just saying it is very good
and nice to have HORROR from another country than U.S.A.GERMANY,
ENGLAND,JAPAN,ITALY,SPAIN,MEXICO and AUSTRAILIA(The underrated WOLF
CREEK...it's head on a stick!) Try dipping your feet in
Dark Waters...It just may wet your appetite(sic) WARNING!
If you are not lovers of SUSPIRIA(how can you not?)The Beyond
or Santa Sangre than this is not your cup of blood!
For others who just love HORROR and have a open mind
give this a drink!

I liked this movie a fair bit as a creepy, frequently surreal ode to HP Lovecraft and a nice example of creative horror filmmaking on a shoestring budget. All that said ... this is a slightly better than average low-budget foreign horror film and not even remotely deserving of a two-disc set with a corny medalian or your $40. I found an earlier DVD release of the film in a bargain bin for $7 - that price more accurately reflects the value of a good-but-not-great horror flick on par with other decent obscurities like Zeder and Spider Labyrinth. Save your cash.

This movie is an excellent movie. The suspense is great. It has a decent amount of gore, and the atmosphere is perfect. However, the sound definitely wasn't the best. But, considering what the people making this film had to go through, it's amazing that this film was completed at all.

Horror fans should definitely check this movie out.

I ran across this movie randomly at a video store a few years ago and rented it blindly because I liked the cover. Glad I did. Now it's in my top ten horror movies ever. Love it! It's creepy, sexy, mysterious and a complete original. It's been compared to Suspiria. I think it's better. It's these movies that come out of nowhere and end up being awesome and unlike anything else that make all the digging through obscure movies worthwhile. Dark Waters is a find. Buy it.