Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		2.5

The Dark Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 25, 2021

The Dark is one of those films whose backstage drama may provide more entertainment than the actual film itself, though this film at least has one of the more, um, eclectic cast listings of its era, which may also provide a bit of allure for the properly jaded viewer. Any film that throws together William Devane, Cathy Lee Crosby, Richard Jaeckel, Keenan Wynn, Casey Kasem and Vivian Blaine certainly deserves some sort of kudos simply for its sheer audacity. It's actually going to be especially wryly amusing for those aforementioned jaded types to see Devane, now a regular presence on right leaning cable news outlets hawking gold, as an aging hippie type here, replete with shaggy hair, a flannel shirt and sporty convertible. Add to the cast the fact that one of the producers was the venerable Dick Clark, and the final piece of trivia that Tobe Hooper was fired from the film almost as soon as he was hired, and the making of a cult outing of considerable proportions are perhaps evident. When a final "but, wait, you also get. . ." tidbit that this film, which offers a marauding alien who is something of a serial killer, evidently didn't even begin with that particular kind of villain and The Dark, for all its deficits, may well be "must see" material for some.

The Dark had a previous release on Blu-ray by Code Red (and this is now the second MVD Rewind release I've reviewed that wasn't just released by Code Red, but which includes the Code Red logo on the MVD release), and for those interested in a plot recap, I refer you to Brian Orndorf's The Dark Blu-ray review. In the latest installment of "different reviewers means different opinions" you'll note I'm not quite as fond of the film as Brian was, and my reaction to the technical merits also varies somewhat.

The Dark Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Dark is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of the MVD Rewind Collection, an imprint of MVD Visual, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. I'm assuming this was culled from the same master as the Code Red version, especially since the Code Red logo also adorns this release, but at least judging by screenshots, there appears to be a slight difference in color timing, with the Code Red looking a bit more suffused and warmer (contrast flesh tones and reds in the first screenshot of each review to see one example). Detail levels are quite good throughout the feature, though as Brian mentions in his review, there are quite a few dark moments, including some effects shots, where detail levels can falter. I also noticed a few stray anomalies like the errant warped frame. Grain resolves naturally.

The Dark Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dark features a nicely evocative LPCM 2.0 track that is especially effective in offering Roger Kellaway's intriguing combination of astringent score and Berio influenced whispering that actually adds quite a bit to the spooky flavor of things. Dialogue is rendered without any problems whatsoever. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Dark Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary featuring producer Igor Kantor and director John "Bud" Cardos can be accessed under the Setup Menu.


• Isolated Score Track is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 and can be accessed under the Setup Menu.


• Interview with Roger Kellaway (SD; 25:29) is a rather interesting piece with the film's composer, who discusses being influenced by Lucio Berio and the Swingle Singers.


• Interview with John 'Bud' Cardos (SD; 13:32) is another fun trip down memory lane, with Cardos discussing his involvement with the film.


• Trailers includes The Dark (Trailer) (HD; 2:52), The Dark (TV Spot) (SD; 00:24) and The Dark (Radio Spot) (SD; 00:28), along with trailers for other releases from the MVD Rewind Collection.

Additionally this release offers a fold out mini-poster housed in the keepcase, and reversible art on the keepcase insert.

The Dark Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It seems like MVD may be entering into a licensing partnership with Code Red, so that fans who missed out on now out of print Code Red releases may have found a solution to their dilemma. The Dark is unabashedly silly, and the fact that the film was evidently changed (perhaps repeatedly) on the fly means that certain elements may verge on the incomprehensible, but where else are you going to find William Devane, Cathy Lee Crosby, Richard Jaeckel, Keenan Wynn, Casey Kasem and Vivian Blaine all gathered together? Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements quite enjoyable, for those who are considering making a purchase.