House of Dark Shadows (1970) / Night of Dark Shadows (1971)

[Akijama]

House of Dark Shadows Blu-ray

House of Dark Shadows Blu-ray Review

Night of Dark Shadows Blu-ray

Night of Dark Shadows Blu-ray Review

WHV Press Release

[PowellPressburger]

Nice was hoping these would be released by the end of the year... some rumors were circulating that they were still working on one of the two films and may have had to wait until 2013... but that doesn't seem to be the situation.

[FelixFlankin]

That's very exciting news! I haven't seen these, so I can't wait.

[critterdvd]

Shocked that Warner Brothers is releasing these, but I will not be complaining. Can't wait to watch these for the first time

[Jaymole]

The only good thing about Tim Burton's film, is that it made these 2 Blu-rays possible.

[octagon]

A) These movies are really bad. Not the 'so cheesy it's good' bad of the series (which I watched as a kid in the late sixties and love to this day). They were just plain bad.

B) I will absolutely be buying them. How can I not? The whole bad day fishing/good day at work dynamic still applies.

And since somebody is bound to go down this road (and probably sooner rather than later) -- yes, Warner could have used the time and effort and money that will go into these releases on The Big Sleep or some other classic. But they didn't. That's just how it goes sometimes.

[Brett C]

Good news! Was hoping for the restored version of Night but I guess that was not to be.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by jaymole

the only good thing about tim burton's film, is that it made these 2 blu-rays possible.

this

[NoirFan]

I would have preferred a double-feature disc, but I'll pick these up once they hit $9.99.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I would have preferred a double-feature disc, but I'll pick these up once they hit $9.99.

Yes, especially since House is more Barnabas-centric TV fan-based, but Night is more of a name-only cash-in.

And while they genuinely believe that the Tim Burton movie is selling this (in a way, in a way... ), we need some new eponymous name for the "Who freakin' cares about the remake, as long as they get the original on disk!" factor--
Used to be "the Yellow Submarine Factor", but we've already got the disk and won't be getting the remake, so...

[octagon]

With any luck we'll be able to call it the Timecrimes Effect one day.

[Akijama]

Originally Posted by octagon

Warner could have used the time and effort and money that will go into these releases on The Big Sleep or some other classic.

So true..and so sad.But,as we all know,it's all about making profits in Hollywood.They are just cash in on Burton's utterly disappointing remake :/

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Akijama

So true..and so sad.But,as we all know,it's all about making profits in Hollywood.They are just cash in on Burton's utterly disappointing remake :/

Eh, it's not really that sad. These releases probably aren't costing them much at all and I doubt they have any effect at all on whether or when higher profile titles will be released.

And call me old-fashioned but I want the businesses I deal with to be obsessed with profit - it keeps them in line

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Jaymole

The only good thing about Tim Burton's film, is that it made these 2 Blu-rays possible.

that is what I think anytime there is a remake... esp Mildred Pierce but it was not meant to be.

I will add that Dark Shadows fans have been begging for even a DVD release of these two films so getting a BLU edition is icing on the cake and here is why. It will be the only time we can get actual HD presentations that feature most of the original Dark Shadows cast members.


I don't know the specifics but some have noted that newly recorded dialogue etc was done for one of the films for an extended/restored version yet looks like maybe WB's have dropped those plans and are just going for the films bare bones theatrical presentations.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I don't know the specifics but some have noted that newly recorded dialogue etc was done for one of the films for an extended/restored version yet looks like maybe WB's have dropped those plans and are just going for the films bare bones theatrical presentations.

I really don't mean to threadcap, but honestly I think those plans were dropped when the Burton film did lackluster compared to what was expected.

Personally I'm just happy these are even seeing the light of day. I thought a MOD DVD was the best that might ever happen...

[Sushisake]

I saw these during their original releases in 1970 & 1971. I have been waiting a very long time for House of Dark Shadows (although I have a DVD copy from my old laser disc). Hopefully it will get the transfer it deserves.

[dave8160]

About time!

[Robert Siegel]

Originally Posted by Jaymole

The only good thing about Tim Burton's film, is that it made these 2 Blu-rays possible.

I couldn't agree more. I will paste my post from the other page here:

I am both extremely happy about the double feature, and sad that Warner decided to release the cut version (30 minutes) of the 2nd film Night of Dark Shadows. The footage was found and restored. When this was released in theaters, MGM made Dan Curtis trim off 30-some minutes, basically ruining the plot and the character development. The footage was found (as noted in the new edition of the Dark Shadows Companion book). So why isn't this going to be the release the director filmed rather than a version cut just to accommodate more showings per day at the theater?

I am very disappointed at Warner for this. Certainly there are enough Dark Shadows fans to accommodate a restoration and insert the cut footage. There's going to be plenty of Dark Shadows fans very disappointed. But hey, at least they are releasing this on Blu-ray, which I didn't expect. Perhaps the news is wrong but the story is here: http://darkshadowsnews.blogspot.com/...mpaign=website

I can't wait for House of Dark Shadows in HD, finally to be able to see the original aspect ratio. Sad this is not a double feature disc, it could have been, profits, profits, and no expense to fix the 2nd film.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by critterdvd

I really don't mean to threadcap, but honestly I think those plans were dropped when the Burton film did lackluster compared to what was expected.

Personally I'm just happy these are even seeing the light of day. I thought a MOD DVD was the best that might ever happen...

Honestly Burton's film version and it's box office receipts should have nothing to do with WB completing the restoration that was being discussed. Mainly because the original Dark Shadows has a very strong following. Sales of the TV series box sets and Volume sets prove that much. The show stands on its own.

I do agree however it is good we get BLU releases since a couple years back it was rumored we may only see MOD DVDs. I just feel bad for the hardcore fans who have been following news about the supposed restoration of NoDS only to get this news that it won't happen. Not even as deleted scenes as bonus matetial for the release.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Honestly Burton's film version and it's box office receipts should have nothing to do with WB completing the restoration that was being discussed. Mainly because the original Dark Shadows has a very strong following. Sales of the TV series box sets and Volume sets prove that much. The show stands on its own.

This!

No offense but 80% of those who will go and purchase the new movie have no idea or clue that this was based on a old soap opera from the 60's that while done on shoe string budget was 100% better then the over budget joke Burton did. All they care about is to get their panties in a twist watching Johnny Depp do the exact same character he does in every movie he make's now