Dark Shadows: The Revival - The Complete Series [DVD]

Dark Shadows: The Revial Series, a 1991 12-episode primetime remake of the 1966-1971 classic daytime gothic soap opera of the same name, deserves this full DVD release and I applaude MPI for providing it.Previously available from MPI on video only, it is a great move to provide it on DVD, as loyal Dark Shadows fans of both shows are eager for the release of all Dark Shadows material on DVD, as well as new fans just discovering the haunting original series or this revival.I grew up on the original when it was in its first run and cherish it to this day, having snapped up every DVD release. I do not love the remake, but I like it, and believe that others, as one reviewer has already stated, may prefer its handling of the material.Dark Shadows was created by Dan Curtis who also wrote and produced the revival series. Like the original, Curtis selected a stellar cast to bring his show "back to life" but with 1990 sensibilities.The original cast is among my favorite for ANY TV series including the brilliant Jonathan Frid as the guilt-ridden, 175-year-old Barnabas Collins.The original show aired more than 220 episodes and was on the verge of cancellation when the character of Barnabas was introduced. Originally written to be a transient villian only, Frid's haunting portrayal of the sensistive and eventually compassionate and all too-human immortal, saved the show and kept Frid busy for the rest of the series.While Barnabas was one key to the show, another was the ensemble nature of the series, which revolved around the Collins family and friends in the present, past and future. The classic movie actress Joan Bennett brought Elizabeth Collins Stoddard to life, and Louis Edmonds did the same for her character's brother, Roger Collins.Like the original series, the revival cast a great actor, Ben Cross (best known for his amazing performance in Chariots of Fire), to resurrect Barnabas, and another classic movie and TV actress, Jean Simmons, to portray Elizabeth. Noted soap opera and TV actor Roy Thinnes (star of the cult sensation The Invaders) is Roger in the revivial show.Focusing on the newly hired governess of Collinwood, (located in Collinsport, Maine) Victoria Winters (portrayed flawlessly in the orginal series by Alexandra Moltke and in a good performance by Joanna Going in the revival), the revival series introduces the main characters through her eyes as well as the mysterious mansion, and the Old House, where Barnabas returns to live.Ghosts, seances, vampires, witches, love, death, and the meaning of life are only a few of the unusual topics both series explored. Unfortunately, the revival series was put to rest after only 12 episodes. It would have been great to see how the cast explored their roles and if they were ever able to separate themselves from their better-known characters' forerunners.Like the original series, the secret of Barnabas Collins is unknown to the family, but is fiercely protected by Dr. Julia Hoffman, who finds out he is a creature of the night, then falls hopelessly in love with him. The original series was blessed with the unmatched acting talent of the magnificent Grayson Hall for this pivotal role, while the revival series relied on Barbara Steele to play the unrequited character, and who portrayed the character in a much darker fashion.Simmons' portrayal has a harder edge and is less sympathetic than the portrayal by Bennett, who brought an unmatched warmth and magnetism to Elizabeth, and for me, Cross overplays his role and is unable to bring the depth of feeling that Frid conveyed, and is therefore much less compelling.Nonetheless, many of the elements that made Dark Shadows a soap opera classic remain making the revival series well worth revisiting.Look for Michael T. Weiss who had just left the soap Days of Our Lives to play Joe Haskell. He would later become a cult star in his own right for his lead portrayal in The Pretender. Also look for a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt who reprises the role of David Collins, and would later become a household name as a regular on Third Rock From the Sun.Now, if MPI would only understand that a huge audience remains for the first 220+ episodes of the original series that aired before Barnabas' chained coffin was discovered that fateful night by Willie Loomis! Let's hope they get the message and finally release those on DVD!

I was too young to remember this when it first aired, but I am a huge fan of the original series. I really wish it had been given a little more time. It took a bit to find its footing, but overall it was really good. It's campy and over the top which is a good thing on a soap. It should be noted that it ends on a cliffhanger and there's no way to know how it would be resolved. I know that this is a deal breaker for some people.

I was a rabid fan of the original Dark Shadows in its heyday in the 60s and 70s...it cultivated my interest in vampires and werewolves and supernatural heebie-jeebies....suffice it to say, if i had followed this mold, I would surely have hated this 90s remake as did other fans of the original....BUT I must say, i loved it. I think fans of oroginal shows should enter these realms of remakes with an open mind.....I did...and grew to absolutely love this show in its own right. Still maintaining my love of the original....I do not compare them for it wouldn't be fair to either entity....both were great in their own right. This new revival only lasted 12 episodes which was unfortunate...it would have been great if it had gone on past the original storylines so each actor could have fleshed out their roles even more. The storyline in this venture follows the basic storyline of a troubled Maine wealthy clan...the Collins family...led by matriarch, Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard (played well by veteran actress Jean Simmons....in the original, actress Joan Bennett very capably handled the role) and troubled brother Roger Collins (played by the Invaders, Roy Thinnes) with troubled son, David (3rd Rocks' own Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in tow. Elizabeth has hired a young ingenue, Victoria Winters (the beautiful Joanna Going) from New York as governess to troubled David, the story begins with her arrival as in the original. Victoria has an alterior motive for taking the job, she was an orphan, never knowing her origins, but has learned she has a benefactor from Maine who has been sending monies for her benefit over the years...she hopes to learn if there is a connection between her and the mysterious Collins family also from Collinsport, Maine. Coinciding with Victoria's arrival, greedy half-crazed opportunistic Collinwood caretaker Willie Loomis (outlandishly, yet humorously played to the hilt by Jim Fyfe) has found what he thinks is a treasure map to the Collins cemetery where as fate would have it, unwittingly unleashes the evil 75 year old vampire, Barnabas Collins ( played fantastically by Chariots of Fire's Ben Cross) who comes to the ancestral home claiming to be a cousin from England who, upon the family's agreement, begins restructure of the orginal family's home, the Old House....other pivotal characters include Elizabeth's erant daughter, Carolyn (Barbara Blackburn), Dr Hoffman (Barbara Steele), Dr Woodard (Stephan Gierarsh) Angelique (Lizette Anthony) Joe Haskell (Pretender's Michael T Weiss, the show's eye-candy,)Ely Pouget as psychic Maggie Evans and Michael Cavanaugh as the Sheriff.....as in the original the show re-uses cast members as Victoria, in one pivotal episode is dramatically thrust into the past during a fateful seance, only to find herself in 1790 Collinsport when barnabas is a mere mortal and lives in the house as the governess....mayhem ensues and we, the viewers, learn the backstory of how Barnabas' vampirism began....tales of madness, murder, itchcraft and zombies ensueand Victoria is set up to take the fall of witchcraft in a time when witch hunts were prevolent.....as Victoria is set to be hanged for witchcraft, the family in the 1790s and the present struggle to get her back where she belongs! Great thriller even for those who have never seen the original...sadly the story ends with one hell of a cliffhanger...those who know the original tale can fill in the blanks!! Awesome remake, great characterizations, tremendous acting.....A++++++

Very enjoyable.Definitely recommend it.

Any video purist looking to view the original 4:3 fullscreen version of this show -AVOID THIS PRODUCTThis is not just a listing error. The producers have clearly stated 4:3 on the DVD sleeve,but this turns out to be the same grainy widescreen transfer as the earlier DVD release.AN OK product as far as it goes, but really just a duplicate of previous issues.

I am hard of hearing and need the subtitles it says it has on the case, unfortunatly it does not have subtitles and is therefore useless

Could not really get in to this series, watched only half of it before I gave up.

Little boring , wouldn't watch again