This upgrading of the Barnabas Collins TV version is much darker, much more violent, and much more dramatic. It does not mesh with the TV soap, really. The Barnabas Collins of the soap was a very sympathetic, well-intentioned fellow in the long-run. The BC of this film is a real embodiment of demonic evil. His supposed good intentions are really just a façade that masks his dark, evil schemes for self-fulfillment at the expense of everyone's eventual death. BC is not only evil, he also commands magical powers with the force of his voice, somewhat like Saruman of LOTR (as demonstrated in the final scenes). And he can supernaturally manipulate others for his own purposes. A real vampire tour de force that turns concepts like the Twilight series on their heads. Vampires may look appealing and sympathetic, but they are really just plain evil! The final scenes are really devastating and make for high drama in the classic style!
Review of House of Dark Shadows
