A Disappointing Continuation

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I understand what they were trying to do with this, trying to make this a higher budget more coherent version of the 60's show, but geeeez, I really couldn't stand it. I must agree with the other reviewer who said the actresses on this show aren't nearly as beautiful as the ones from the 60's especially Josette. Was there ever a question as to why this "revival" show has been forgotten but the 60's/70's soap opera is still talked about to this day? The original show had a certain special charm to it, yes it was a bit goofy and yes it had some over the top acting and some ridiculous plots, but...that's what made the show entertaining and fun to watch! I cant imagine dark shadows without all those wonderful overacting stage actors and constant flubs. it makes the show very memorable even if it was unintentional. ben cross does not at all have the charisma or likability that Johnathen Frid had. in fact he flat out irritated me. He was too handsome and I don't know, BBC actor-ish. the older cast of the this revival was not bad, though I couldn't help thinking that barbera steele though would have been great in the original DS as some kinda ghoul.The fact is, Dark Shadows was a product of its time. it worked much better in the 60's and 70's when it was made. it had this goofy charm but also had compelling story lines. This new one just had me shaking my head. it was too polished, too serious, and had none of the stage-like performances. this is why I actually enjoyed the recent Tim Burton movie, because it was great how they tried to recreate the campy over the top fun of the 60's show and decided to not take itself too seriously, and they even had it take place in the 70's, which is the time period the show was made. it actually felt much more "dark shadows" because of that feel, and felt like the 60's show more.The one thing I DO wish they would do is bring a show like this back to todays modern television, but NOT using DS characters or stories, but a good Gothic horror show taking place in the past, similar to DS. Lord knows we need some class and sophistication brought back to the vampire genre, and enough with these today hip hyper sexual teen garbage like "true blood" "vampire diaries" and the like. utter nonsense when compared to Dark Shadows.

I was one of those junior-high school kids that would race home, fast as lightning, to see the original "Dark Shadows" when it came on at 3:30. Decades later, when this adaptation appeared, I must admit I was still comparing it to the original, rather critically.But watching it now, with a new (and possibly dreadful) film version coming out, I see what I missed back then: that this one is infinitely superior to the original.True, Ben Cross had some large shoes to fill; but he did it so well, and the photography was dynamite, especially when they'd fade out, until the pin-point light in his eyes was the last thing you'd see.As I say, I await the new one with some trepidation; I hear it's been "comedy-ized," and that could be horrible. Will it turn out to be a worthy homage? This one certainly was. Looks like Johnny Depp will also have some large shoes to fill.

This is quite a treat! I can say without any restraints that this is my favourite all time movie, a superb Gothic mystery, exceptionally cast, realistic, in a word - almost perfect! I say almost, because the 6th episode has some flaws, but I can get over them, especially because the rest of the episodes ARE perfect! Suspense, mystery, beauty, atmosphere, landscapes, the actors, the story - all superb! Look at the tortured, violent and repulsive Barnabas Collins, superb played by Ben Cross! It is a realistic vampire! Look at the beautiful and fragile Vicky, played by the superb Joanna Going! She plays her part as she is a victorian young lady! This is the film for everyone who grew up reading Poe, Lovecraft, Le Fanu, Bram Stoker! Also I recommend House Of Dark Shadows, which is quite good, but the actors have no chemistry... But you can get over if you will see it like a Dark Shadows parallel adventure. And of course - you must see Subspecies. More violent, less beautiful, but equally good! Enjoy!

I watched Dark Shadows The Revival Series when it first aired on NBC back in 91. I Was 10 years old and I loved the show.I was bummed that it was aired weekly but i looked forward to each and every episode and was bummed when the mini series was over. I went on line last year to try to find it on DVD, but no luck. I'm looking forward to it to be released on DVD. >>>>> I seen it was to be released on October 18. Was it? I can not find it at any of the stores where I live :( If I do though I will definitely buy it:) Ben Cross was excellent as Barnanbas Collins and the rest of the cast was good too. I never watched the original Dark Shadows, but now that it is on DVD I will be checking it out to see if the Revival Series is better than the original.