Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Dark Tower Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 6, 2021

It seems the late 1980s was a big time for supernatural horror films set in tall buildings. In 1988, there was the ill-fated “Poltergeist III,” and for 1989, producer Sandy Howard brings terror to a Barcelona office complex in “Dark Tower.” The picture didn’t enjoy an easy road to completion, with original director Ken Wiederhorn possibly replaced by Freddie Francis (Weiderhorn denies this, so who knows), and, apparently, Roger Daltrey and Lucy Guttridge were set in leading roles before Michael Moriarty and Jenny Agutter stepped in to complete the film. While watching “Dark Tower,” one can sense behind-the-scenes issues emerging, as the effort’s strong start with strange, violent happenings in an office building is gradually turned into semi-random events involving a ghostly presence and his apparent love of elevator antagonism. There doesn’t seem to be anyone helping to guide the events of the feature, but B-movie appeal and committed performances end up saving the day in this endeavor.

In Barcelona, work on the Unico Tower is mostly completed, with lead architect Carolyn (Jenny Agutter) trying to put the finishing touches on her biggest project to date, establishing herself in the design world. Blocking such ambition is the presence of a malevolent force in the complex, resulting in the strange deaths of a few employees. On the case is security consultant Randall (Michael Moriarty), who has a strange feeling about the situation, tapping into his psychic abilities to better understand what’s going on with the building and Carolyn. As the bodies pile up, Randall reaches out to the other side, bringing in Dr. Gold (Theodore Bikel) and Sergie (Kevin McCarthy) to get a better sense of the tower’s concerns, while Carolyn is slowly driven mad by the evil spirit.

Understanding “Dark Tower” isn’t really a production goal. There’s the vague shape of a story provided in the screenplay (co-written by Wiederhorn), which concerns evil events occurring at the Unico Tower, haunting Carolyn during her finest professional moment. Horror begins with a peeping tom window washer who’s forced off his platform, plunging to his death. And there’s a security guard checking something out in the building, meeting his demise inside an elevator. The movie isn’t especially graphic, but “Dark Tower” gets things going with weird events and Carolyn’s panic, while Randall isn’t only there to examine the evidence, finding himself growing obsessed with the architect, fantasizing about her while married to Elaine (poor Anne Lockhart, who has absolutely nothing to do here). There’s just enough oddness to carry the feature for its first half, which also includes a possession of sorts, with Randall’s colleague going on a shooting rampage in the lobby. Of course, business carries on as usual for the rest of the day, but that’s the level of dramatic consideration the picture employs, offering just enough to get by.

“Dark Tower” deals with vague ideas on malevolent spirits and mental abilities, taking a turn to psychic wars in the second half, where Dr. Gold arrives to help Randall understand his abilities and literally confer with the building, speaking fluent industrial fan. While the writing(?) gets nutty, the overall movie tends to slow down, getting distracted with needless exposition and extended scenes of tower exploration, clearly used to get the film to a 90-minute run time. Bad stuff happens from time to time (mostly involving the elevators, which nobody seems to notice), but “Dark Tower” doesn’t take the hint, refusing to snowball into a genre explosion of blood and doom, sticking with a tepid detective story (and one helped by large amounts of ADR) instead.

Dark Tower Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive," "Dark Tower" makes its Blu-ray debut with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. While some mild judder is found at times, detail emerges with clarity, surveying the rough areas of the building's construction, and textures emerge on facial surfaces, going from human wear and tear to gory makeup effects. Costuming is fibrous, offering silky formalwear and heavier business suits. Exteriors showcase Barcelona expanse and building height. Colors are strong, with female characters partial to outfits with primary colors. Greenery is distinct, along with flashes of red blood. The drywall/concrete maze of the tower provides a grayer look. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good condition.

Dark Tower Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers decent sonic force when dealing with scoring selections. While the synth sound is quite active, instrumentation is clear and deeper stings are appealingly heavy. Dialogue exchanges are mostly clean, preserving dramatic presentations and slightly echoed inner-monologue discussions as Randall works through the particulars of the case. Sound effects register as intended.

Dark Tower Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Dark Inspirations" (11:16, HD) is an interview with special makeup effects artist Steve Neill, who details his early fondness for science fiction, including an obsession with "2001" and the work of Stanley Kubrick. Neill also has a love of rockets which continues to this day, staring his own local rocketeer group, and he covers his own home studio efforts, building models for museum display. Inspired by the work of John Chambers and Dick Smith, Neill pursued makeup effects, getting his first start in the business via American Zoetrope in the 1970s, offered an internship by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. The interviewee's time on "Dark Tower" is briefly covered, finding comfort with producer Sandy Howard, who provided employment, including the creation of the zombie creatures found in the film.

• Still Gallery (:52) collects poster art, publicity shots, and film stills.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Dark Tower Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While "Dark Tower" doesn't amount to much, it does deliver some spooky happenings in the final sequence. It's also hard to deny the feature's camp value, with Moriarty and Agutter trying to bring something dramatic to a feature that doesn't particularly care for the effort. Silliness is present, giving the movie a fun factor, but the potential of high-rise horror isn't met.