Night of Dark Shadows

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

43%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 656

Movie Info

This is the second full-length motion picture feature based on the popular television soap-opera/horror melodrama Dark Shadows. The first film was House of Dark Shadows. This film lacks the grand guignol glee provided by Jonathan Frid and Joan Bennet. However, it has a new storyline, not a rehash of one previously explored in the television series. Here, artist Charles Collins (David Selby, who performed the same part in the TV series) brings his new bride to live in the family mansion, which he has just inherited. The gentle and sensitive young Collins, the last of his clan, has troubled sleep. He dreams of the past, of his family, and of the house. Perhaps his dreams are not just dreams? Increasingly deranged by these visions, it begins to look like he will re-enact the atrocities committed by his family in the past. It is interesting to note that the film uses the mansion of 1890s railroad robber/baron Jay Gould for its setting.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Television
Directed By:

Dan Curtis, Alex Stevens
Written By:

Sam Hall
In Theaters:

Aug 4, 1971 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Oct 30, 2012
Runtime:

97 minutes
Studio:

Warner Home Video

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Cast

David Selby
as Quentin/Charles Collins

Kate Jackson
as Tracy Collins

Lara Parker
as Angelique Collins

Grayson Hall
as Carlotta Drake

John Karlen
as Alex Jenkins

Nancy Barrett
as Claire Jenkins

James Storm
as Gerard Styles

Diana Millay
as Laura Collins

Christopher Pennock
as Gabriel Collins

Thayer David
as Rev. Strack

Monica Rich
as Sarah Castle

Clarice Blackburn
as Mrs. Castle

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Critic Reviews for Night of Dark Shadows

All Critics (2) | Top Critics (1) | Rotten (2)

Night of Dark Shadows is bad, all right, but not merely bad. It is also shabby and unwholesome, made by people who take no joy in their work. It is a mean, evil little enterprise.

Jul 6, 2018 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic
A modest exploitation supernatural tale, that seems better suited to be soap opera day TV fare than a feature movie.

Oct 31, 2014 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (2)

Audience Reviews for Night of Dark Shadows

Sep 16, 2007

A young couple moves into their newly inherited mansion only to discover that it's haunted. David Selby and Kate Jackson star in this romantic ghost story that comes complete with transparent specters and a malevolent housekeeper. This is 70's gothic horror that's long on atmosphere and short on special effects. <i>Night of Dark Shadows</i> hasn't aged well. The slow pacing and melodramatic scoring does not translate favorably for modern audiences. The film was, however, inspired by the short-lived television soap opera, Dark Shadows [1966-71], that still has a small but deeply disturbed following (myself included).

Kevin S Super Reviewer