Product Details

• Actors: David Hemmings, Robert Powell, Carmen Duncan, Gus Murcurio
• Directors: Simon Wincer
• Format: Anamorphic, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
• Language: English, French, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Synapse Films
• DVD Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001D5C1KI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,558 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Dark Forces (Special Edition)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A modern-day politician is faced with an incomprehensible power in this startling, award-winning supernatural thriller. Senator Rast holds a powerful government position, but he s no match to the extraordinary power of the enigmatic stranger who mysteriously comes to visit him. Possessing uncanny magical prowess and psychic abilities, the seemingly benevolent visitor quickly gains hold of the Senator and his family. When the visitor becomes aware of Rast s loveless family life, he uses his powers to gain control over the Senators wife and son. Will these dark forces be Rasts undoing, or will the diabolical drifter finally meet his match? - Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation (2.35:1)
- Dolby Digital Mono (English, French & Spanish Language Options)
- Audio Commentary with Director Simon Wincer & Producer Antony I. Ginnane
- Behind-The-Scenes Photo Gallery
- Filmographies
- Trailer Gallery
- Isolated Music Score

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yea! This undiscovered gem gets the treatment it deserves!, July 24, 2004

By	W. Schmidt (Beaverton, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dark Forces (DVD)

Known in the rest of the world as HARLEQUIN, this modern mystical "Svengali" story with a twist has never had a decent home video release. Shot in expressive widescreen Panavision it doesn't translate well to indifferent pan & scan jobs, like the OOP VHS and U.K. cheapie DVD. Elite has issued a very nice looking 16X9 enhanced scope version with Director and Producer commentary, a nice and informative touch.

David Hemmings, a political hotshot, has a terminally ill son who seems to magically improve under the (seemingly) benign influence of a modern "court jester", (Robert Powell) who appears at his son's birthday party as a clown and ends up insinuating his way into a position of influence with his wife and child. If this sounds very Rasputin-like it is, but the story has a few surprises along the way.

If you've never seen this gem and like subtle and tense supernatural / suspense stories give it a try.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Robert Powell as a Harlequin with special powers., July 8, 2004

By	James McDonald ",Get FREE Amazon.com Gift car... (Lancaster, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Dark Forces [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Alex (Mark Spain) is a nine-year old who is ill with Leukemia. Robert Powell (Jesus of Nazereth [1977]) plays a clown at his birthday party and tries to cheer him up. Alex's father, Nick (David Hemmings) is a Senator who could become the next Deputy Governor. The clown also known as a Harlequin while he has a gift of performing magic for children and is able to produce thunder from the sky at will, the boy has become quite taken by the clown. After paying a surprise appearance to the sick boy with clown make-up, the family soon realizes this man, "Gregory", has special healing powers for the boy. However he has evil powers for others.
Released in 1980. Original Title: Harlequin

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark Forces, April 21, 2009

By	Bartok Kinski "A casual stroll through the lu... (Prague) - See all my reviews

Fascinating, dark study of a political family seduced by the powers of a traveling magician who befriends their ill son. The story works well on that level, and the acting is certainly passable enough to be entertaining.

Even more fascinating when one realizes that this is a retelling of the historical plot of the fall of the Czar of Russia! In history, Nicholas (Nicky in this film) and Alexandra (Sandy) had and extremely ill son, Alexander (Alex) and allowed the "Mad Monk" Gregory Rasputin (Gregory Wolfe) into the family with his promises of a cure for the the boy. Viewed on this level, this interesting enough B-movie become a fascinating study in parallels. Well worth a watch and some time to enjoy!