User Reviews

DARK SHADOWS is a definite "must" for any horror fans to view. I enjoyed every episode and looked forward to each one. The cast is filled with excellent performances, especially from Barbara Steele and Ben Cross. I never did see the old series, but can only say that according to my taste this was really enjoyable horror made with much style. It does not happen very often nowadays that there are given so much attention to style over gore. DARK SHADOWS has a definite "old fashion" look and some would perhaps think this outdated. I realized watching this TV-series that I was pulled into the story line and the characters as each actors pulled off the story with much believability. Vampires, demons, ghosts....they are all here....each driven by the love and passion that made them what they became. That I liked very much about this series. The set designs and customs are very detailed and atmospheric,excellent lighting. If you see all the episodes in one day, there will be definite repeats in sounds effects, dark shadows and thunder/lightning, but this is so typical of the horror genre. Too bad the series did not continue. In my view...and I have seen thousands of horror films, old and new, this is a definite 8 out of 10 stars in my book.

This didn't have the camp of the original series and it moved faster, stayed more focused on the main story line. This time, Dan Curtis didn't work with a shoestring budget and he was able to put something together that wasn't as rough around the edges as the original series. Of course, that roughness was part of the charm of the original, and I still have a special place in my heart for it. But this is much better done. Granted, most of the women in this series are not as good looking as their 1960s counterparts (especially Carolyn. Nancy Barrett was hot as Carolyn in the 1960s version. And Lysette Anthony didn't have the hypnotic quality that Lara Parker's Angelique had.) I was disappointed in the way this series ended. I was hoping to see how they would handle the Frankenstein monster and werewolf stories, even have a Quentin story (which was part of the werewolf story). But, as sloppily as the original DARK SHADOWS ended, at least it was a conclusive ending. This just left you hanging, waiting for them to get into the other "monster" stories, and then they never came. I for one felt cheated. 6 out of 10 because it ended too soon and they left you hanging.

I watched this series recently, in order to compare it to the film with the same name that was released in 2012. The first thing I noticed was the difference in tone: if the film is clearly a black comedy, this little series (a revival of an extensive TV series of the sixties) is drama with supernatural contours and some Gothic touch. Another thing I quickly noticed is that, sadly, it has never been finished. I am against television serials that extend indefinitely, just as I am against the abrupt cut of these by audience concerns. They're matters of respect for the viewer, the actors and the team engaged in the whole project. A quality series must finish before it becomes decadent, with a rational conclusion. However, when a series is interrupted or canceled, the best is to give a logical end to the work begun, even if one has to write and run one or two more episodes. I think its a matter of respect, but its just my opinion about that.

I really enjoyed the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the show and the work of the general cast, where the sounding names of Ben Cross, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Barbara Steele and Jean Simmons promise us commitment and quality. The special effects and soundtrack are also good. I think that if the series had been launched at the moment, it would have been more successful than it ended up, but it was a successful environment anyway, which only regrets the lack of conclusion.

NBC started their track record for horrible mistakes and cancelling great shows against viewer demand with this one. Killed by Gulf War footage, this show filled in the vaccum on Friday with the excellant idea of remaking America's favorite series with the budget and location shootings it deserved. Ben Cross made an excellant, if not, more seductive Barnabus,and Joanna Going made an exquisitely beautiful and virginal ingenue as Victoria Winters. The whole cast was perfect, except for the new Carolyn, and the mysterious mansion that served as Collinwood had the right amount of Gothic atmosphere for the series. Much of the series original concept was altered to more modernize the story and previous storylines were altered for a cleaner and easier to follow flow. If allowed to continue, this show would have been a hit, but NBC realized it far too late.

A stunning remake of the original series, this was considerably more sensual & more fully realized the erotic power of the vampire figure. (This is understandable when you consider the years that the original was taped, & that it was a daytime series.) I had waited for this remake for years & was never let down by it. Still have a bit of a grudge against NBC for canceling it before it really had a chance. Ben Cross & Joanna Going were wonderfully cast as Barnabas & Victoria/Josette, w/ a strong contribution by Lysette Anthony as Angelique. I wish that they would make a movie version, but realize that the time may have passed for same. Strongly urge any Gothic fans to purchase the video or DVDs of this series.

This series is AMAZING. Ben Cross and Joanna Going are both superb. I remember this on TV when I was 10 years old. I never saw the ending and all these years I never forgot about it and always wanted to see the outcome of the show. Now, 16 years later, remembering how good it was, I found the 3 disc series on my online rental database and watched it all over again. I wish this show would have been bigger and gotten more awards. It certainly deserves it and the story hooks you from the first second to the last episode. My only complaint is the last episode doesn't really leave you with closure but instead leaves questions unanswered and the outcome of the story very vague. But still, it's so worth watching.

As far as one of the actors, after watching her performance, Joanna Going should be a Hollywood Leading Lady on the big screen. She's so beautiful and talented and has an amazing presence on film.

I loved the original series, but this revival series is my favorite of all the DS franchise. Major kudos to the late Dan Curtis for producing a real gem.

Ben Cross IS Barnabas Collins! All of the acting is superb - especially Jim Fyfe as Ben Loomis, Stefan Gerasch - all stellar cast.

This series is SO underrated and should have been picked up again by NBC to continue.

I've watched all 12 episodes on DVD and re-watched them half a dozen times, and I come away each time with some other little tidbit I missed previously.

One thing I did notice production-wise - which may hearken back to the sort of campy production values of the original series - is seeing a mic boom in the frame during one the last 3 episodes!!! I won't say which one - in case there is someone else out there with an eagle eye!!!

I remember watching this on TV sometime during the early 1990's, and I was fairly impressed with it and remembers it as a rather good series. Then finally getting around to buying it in 2012 and revisiting it, I must say that my memory held true. This 1991 version of the "Dark Shadows" legacy is actually quite impressive.

The story is firmly told at a pace that keeps you captivated and interested throughout the entire series - all 12 episodes. Plus it was helped along quite nicely by some really nicely detailed characters with great individual personalities. And the combination of portrayal of events in the present day and past day worked out well.

Actually the story in "Dark Shadows" needs no introduction, as this is something everyone should be familiar with by now. If not by the Tim Burton version, this version or the original 1966 series.

The cast on this 1991 version was quite good, and especially Ben Cross did a tremendous job in the role as Barnabus Collins, with his dark, rugged and slightly devilish charms. As did Lysette Anthony in the role of Angelíque. Actually all people did really great jobs with their given roles, and there are some familiar faces on the cast list, which makes it all the more enjoyable.

If you like vampires, and if you are tired of the hype that has been around the vampire genre since "Twilight" was spawned, then "Dark Shadows" is a great return to the vampiric roots and will have a good appeal to fans of the Dracula story and such dark, romantic and beastly tales of vampires.

It's very rare for a show to cause me so much anguish due to the fact of its abrupt cancellation. Sure most other cases I might get a little sad if a show I liked didn't make it but in time I learn to move on. 1991's revival of "Dark Shadows" is one of those few cases where I just can't. Airing on NBC, it was produced and written by the late, great Dan Curtis himself, the creator of the original "Dark Shadows". It begins with the opening monologue of Victoria Winters (the lovely Joanna Going), who is on her way to Collin's Port, Maine to be the school mistress to young Daniel Collins (a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt!) at the Collins estate. Little does she realize of course, her life is about to take a very unexpected turn! Not long after she arrives, kind hearted but not so bright Willie Loomis (the gifted Jim Fyfe) opens the crypt of Barnabas Collins because he seems to think there are long forgotten jewels secretly buried in it. Well he does find something but it's not jewels. Instead he unleashes long trapped vampire Barnabas Collins (the always impressive Ben Cross) who claims to be a distant cousin of the Collins from England for his cover.

But when he sees Ms. Winters, he is captivated by her, for she is his reincarnated long lost love, Josette. Soon enough though, mysterious murders and occurrences on the account of Barnabas' blood lust begin occurring and in comes Dr. Julia Hoffman, played to the hilt by horror legend and (even at the age of 53 or 4 at the time) stunning Barbara Steele. Things only get more complicated when the good doctor discovers Baranbas' secret and tries to cure his vampirism but ends up falling in love with him! But there are other supernatural forces at work besides Barnabas, such as vengeful and powerful spirit Angelique (the beautiful Lysette Anthony) who will do everything in her power to destroy Barnabas' attempts at a better life. All of this means Victoria must discover the secrets of Collin's Port more than ever, for her life depends on it!

The show was and is nothing short of captivating to watch through its twelve episodes because of its grand and Gothic look and its opening creepy music theme. The Collins' mansion in particular is both beautiful and imposing at the same time with its Gothic architecture. The Pilot (directed by Dan Curtis himself) has the look and feel of theatrical movie and is probably one of the best productions made for TV I've ever seen. But above all it is the caliber of the actors and characters that makes the show enjoyable to watch. Ben Cross more than fills the shoes of the late Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins, being able to play him as a monster but one with a soul. Despite being a reprehensible creature at times, Cross is able to make you feel Barnabas' agony and anguish over being what he is and what made him that way. Joanna Going is stunning in her looks but more importantly her acting. She's able to convey a certain sense of innocence throughout the show, which only makes the viewer all the more wishing to jump in and protect her from the danger she has no idea she's in. But Barnabas and Victoria are not the only characters in town. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the young, arrogant and slightly disturbed Daniel perfectly, so much so you'll wonder how he turned out to be such a stud (It's implied that his mother is a witch locked up in a mental institution but due to the show's short life we never get to meet her). Jim Fyfe adds a little comical touch as Barnabas' servant and eventual friend Willie. Lysette Anthony adds tension in her role as the revenge seeking Angelique. And who can forget the stunning and talented Ms. Barbara Steele as Dr. Hoffman. Like I said, she may have been in her fifties by then but don't let that fool you; she still had it!

Then there are the supporting actors and characters, such as legendary leading lady Jean Simmons as matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, "The Invaders" star Roy Thinnes as Roger Collins, Juliana McCarthy as housekeeper Mrs. Johnson, Ely Pouget as town psyche Maggie Evans, Barbara Blackburn as Carolyn Stoddard, and Michael Cavanaugh who, as town sheriff Patterson, does a particularly good job of playing someone who would probably never dream of believing in the things he now confronts! Yet despite all of this, the show was canceled by NBC after only twelve episodes. Why you ask? Well, in '91 the Gulf War happened and because the news wanted to cover it day and night, "Dark Shadows" kept getting pushed around to different nights, which meant people didn't know what night it would be on and as a result, ratings declined (Damn you Saddam!). NBC did receive something like 7,000 letters and had its headquarters picketed by fans, all to no avail. It's all very sad. Even a two hour special to properly end the series would be better than what we got. But that's unlikely now that everyone has aged and moved on and with Curtis' death in 2006. Perhaps if Curtis and co. had focused more on the present setting of the story rather than having half the season devoted to the time traveling story arch the show wouldn't have had so many unresolved elements. Then again, they probably didn't realize that their time would be so short. For what it is though, if you can bear having your heart broken, I recommend "Dark Shadows" (1991) to anyone who wishes to see a beautiful, Gothic series done well. And while I'm at it, here's hoping that maybe, in another time, another place or some parallel universe, "Dark Shadows" (1991) became the hit it should have been. One can dream, can't he?

I was very disappointed with the Dark Shadows Revival. I hoped that it would be something completely new that would take up where the original Dark Shadows left off. Instead, it was a combination of a remake of the movie 'House of Dark Shadows' and a remake of the second season of the original series. I don't think it's any wonder that it only lasted one season.However, it did have good casting. Ben Cross was a good choice for the role of Barnabas Collins. He filled Jonathan Frid's shoes very well. Also, Barbara Steele was a good choice for the role of Dr. Julia Hoffman. She had the right personality for it. She also had the beauty that Grayson Hall lacked. She also was a good choice for the role of Countess Du Pres, Josette's aunt. Joanna Going was perfect for the role of Victoria Winters and Josette Du Pres. She's a very beautiful girl as well as talented.

I will certainly join the critics who complain that there wasn't enough about this show that was original. I will forever wonder why Dan Curtis keeps thinking that telling the same story over again will satisfy the audience that couldn't get enough of the original series; we were hoping for some new stories.

That having been said, the revisions made to the original character relationships were a definite improvement and the program was very well cast. Jonathan Frid is a tough act to follow as Barnabas, but Ben Cross did an excellent job. As for Adrian Paul, the moment I laid eyes on him I knew he was star material. I will admit to having been disappointed that certain female characters, especially Angelique, were inadequately developed.

Another thing about this program that could have been adjusted was allowing the Collins family to have had some earlier generations in the U.S. I suspect that one of the reasons the original series ran out of ideas was the need to keep the time-traveling to discrete generations of the family and, with Barnabas having been born in the second half of the 18th century, they ran out of those rather quickly. This, of course, assumes that he could only go back as far as his original mortal life...

If you enjoyed this show anyway, check out HIGHLANDER [the series, that is]. It gives us Adrian Paul at his best with lots of historical flashbacks.

This 12 episode series had a stellar cast, great writing and directing, etc...Ben Cross was the PERFECT lead for this series. One minute he made women want to take care of him and such and the next minute he pushed Barnabas close enough to the cataract that the audience might have wanted to cuff him one upside the head for it! He portrayed his emotional extremes rather well and made that character his own-PERIOD!

The chemistry with Joanna Going was great, but I think if they went on longer with the actual story line, he'd have sunken into an abyss when she departed Collinsport for good--if the original story line was followed. Lysette Anthony made Angelique the diabolical, psychotic bitch she was supposed to be and I was really hoping to get to see someone with a sense of justice really kick her backside when it was said and done!

I was really angry that the end of the original series had Barnabas actually declaring his "love" for her when in real life, she would have been loathed rather than loved for what she did to that man and his family over time, and I think Curtis would have fixed that story line. I loved Jeanne Simmons and Roy Thinnes! They captured their roles perfectly also.

In the short time this series was aired, Ben Cross showed enough of his mettle that he raised the bar too high for anyone to follow-- including Johnny Depp. The best advice Dan Curtis gave to Ben: "Go ahead,Ben. Do your Hamlet." and it bloody well worked, too! I almost got tossed over the cataract watching some of those scenes. That is exactly how an actor should bring out a character--enough to either make and audience love him or her OR enough to make that audience want to kick his or her backside! Believe me that when I say that there are times when I vacillated between both emotions and it doesn't happen with me very often.

Hollywood REALLY needs to use Cross a bit more. HE can still pull this stuff off no matter what he plays!

After reading the Helena Bonham Carter interview regarding the story line, I am convinced that Tim Burton is going to toy with the fan's too much by monkeying with the story line too much. This version will always be the best there was as far as the remakes go.

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.

I loved this reboot of the old horror soap! So many big names. Unfortunately, my DVD of it has terrible sound

Just watched this my young kids and they loved it! I told them how it was based on an older series. So this series, still had the Dan Curtis influence, and it had some great casting. The original series was a glacial pace, so honestly, if someone isn't up for it and wants to get the feel of the show, this 12 episode version gives you WAY more than you would even get in 24 episodes of original. Ben Cross was great casting. As much as I love original Barnabas, I have to give an edge to this one. Same with Vicky. Joanna Going is BEAUTIFUL. I actually prefer the old Maggie Evens and Carolynn. Sure, some of the effects seem dated, and makeup was...well 90s makeup with low budget. But overall, a great series. So sad it ended after 1 season. Will always be my favorite Ben Cross performance of his career, hands down.

I disagree with the poster above. I thought this revival was a wonderfully imaginative and compelling show. Quite familiar with the original series, I was a bit skeptical when this premiered as to what could they do and how they would update. This revival takes the original story of Barnabas Collins and company which took a year of the daytime show and compacts it into 12 episodes. I have also read the "Dark Shadows Companion" book that they put out when this show originally aired and they were basically using the first season as a springboard to get into different stories. What I liked about this version is that they took the familiar story but added twists and turns not in the original to keep it fresh. Both purists of the original show and new fans will find this very faithful, right down to the creepy original music that Bob Cobert used on the daytime show. I gave the VHS set to a young friend of mine awhile ago and he immediately was captivated as well and he became interested in the original series, which is quite easy to get on DVD. The casting was remarkable because each actor put a great new spin on the material. I also liked the fact that they rolled in other plots from the daytime show to fit into the main plot of Barnabas, Victoria and Dr. Hoffman. I never thought they could replicate what everyone liked about the original series but they managed to do it. This is a great treat for new and old fans alike and a must for any serious collector. My only quibble with the DVD is that there are no extras and that they did not restore the original print, using what looks like an inferior transfer copy from VHS. Not to be missed for the standout performances of Ben Cross, Jim Fife, Joanna Going, Jean Simmons and Barbara Steele.

This was a wonderful remake of the original series. Yes it was a little over 5 hours long but worth watching. I taped it when it was on-the-air and I wonder if this will make it to DVD? I have noticed that the original series is finally on DVD! Does anyone know if the remake the mini-series and 12 episodes will make it to DVD?

Hi my name is Paul Martin Brooks, this was a great experience for me to work on this show as a Stand-In, at Greystone Mansion. It was a very scary place to work at, and while we were filming the show, the crew turned off a candle at the far east side of the mansion. Then saw a light flickering in a room and noticed that the candle was re-lit. He came running down the stairs and told us. It is a very awesome place though, if you have the chance to see it, please do. The set and people and the Producers that worked on the show were great. Even though you see all the cameras and crew, it is still very scary. Myself and the crew that worked there had all different types of experience's.

An excellent series which combines the campy elements of the original with a modern 90s twist; the characters are now all very beautiful and wear a lot of pantsuits. It's an awesome way to start out watching DARK SHADOWS because it gives you an easy way to understand the main storyline (this series covers the first few years of the show in only 12 episodes). The only difference is the combining of the characters of Maggie and Vickie to be the 'reincarnation of Josette' to Barnabas). The storyline follows Victoria Winter's arrival at Colloinwood to her return there after time traveling and witnessing Barnabas' past. After watching this, simply pick up where it leaves off in the original series. Highly recommended for any fan of soaps or horror movies (as it combines them both)!

Ben Cross does a wonderful job as Barnabas Collins and so do the major characters. Pretty good sets and effects for a low-budget mini-series. That being said, Jim Fyfe ("Willie Loomis") is extremely obnoxious as Barnabas' "handyman". He is about as annoying as JarJar Binks is in "Star Wars I." This version takes a left turn to 1790 before finally coming to a satisfying conclusion. Too much time is spent on the witch trial. This first "remake" (in 1991) is certainly not as much fun as the afternoon soap, and the Universal Monsters don't make "guest" appearances here. It basically follows the original storyline of the original soap: Dr. Hoffman tries to cure Barnabas of his "vampire condition". Originally intended as an on-going series; note the "cliffhanger" ending. Should have been tightened to a 6-hour series.

Caution: Extremely graphic and bloody when compared to the original TV "soap" version. Unrated. Should be rated PG-13 for disturbing images of blood and gore (a lot of red sauce). Nicely packaged in slim "wallets" by MGM. (Do not confuse this with the recent Tim Burton version.) I thoroughly disliked it at first, but on repeated viewing, I enjoyed it more. It's certainly more intense! Ben Cross is a better actor. Far better than the 2 movies released to the screen. Almost everybody becomes either a vampire or a witch, in this "revival" version!