The Dark (2005)

Director:

John Fawcett

Writers (WGA):

Simon Maginn (novel)
Stephen Massicotte (screenplay)

Release Date:

May 2005 (Canada)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One of the living for one of the dead.

Plot:

In mourning over the tragic drowning of their daughter Sarah, James and Adèle are visited by Ebrill, a young girl who claims she died 60 years ago ... and bares a startling resemblance to Sarah.

Plot Keywords:

Wales | Sheep | Father Daughter Relationship | Guilt | Afterlife

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Maria Bello	...	Adèlle
Sean Bean	...	James
Maurice Roëves	...	Dafydd
Sophie Stuckey	...	Sarah
Abigail Stone	...	Ebril
Richard Elfyn	...	Rowan
Casper Harvey	...	Young Dafydd
Eluned Jones	...	Doctor
Gwenyth Petty	...	Librarian
Robin Griffith	...	Police Inspector
Mike Keggen	...	Rib Skipper
Tonya Smith	...	Main Stumblehead Martyr

Also Known As:

The Dark (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violent/disturbing images and language.

Runtime:

93 min | Philippines:92 min (cut)

Country:

Germany | UK

Language:

English | Welsh

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:16 | Singapore:PG | USA:R | Brazil:14 | Germany:16 | Malaysia:18SG (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Philippines:R-13 | Hong Kong:IIB | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | France:-12 | Italy:VM14 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Constantin Film

Trivia:

The concept of "Annwn" (Annwyn) is not made up especially for the film or the book on which it was based. "Annwn" is an underworld or other world found in Welsh legend, a land of the dead. It is said to lay far in the west and could be accessed by the living through a door located at the mouth of the Severn once a year. Surviving from pre-Christian Celtic mythology, it's neither Heaven nor Hell in the Christian sense, humans can enter spiritually or corporeally. This is the first film about Annwn.

A so so film

One of my favourite horror movies is Ginger Snaps.The two greatest elements from that film are the screenplay and the performances but director John Fawcett did an excellent work in directing the cast and in creating a perfect atmosphere.Because of that,I had a lot of interest in watching The Dark,Fawcett's second film and the result was really disappointing.The Dark shares a lot of elements with horror films like The Ring,The Ring Two and Dark Water(2002 and 2005).But,in spite of similarities with that films,The Dark is different but not a good film.The screenplay is the weakest point from this movie.Based on a book,screenwriter Stephen Massicotte brings a boring and redundant story which tries to be creepy,when it really is confusing and tedious.The Dark is a slow and repetitive film which finishes on a predictable ending.The film has some positive elements but when the screenplay,the heart and soul of a movie,fails I cannot really appreciate the good elements.The few positive elements from this movie are the cinematography,the performances and the short appearance of the special effects.The Dark has some good elements but I cannot really excuse the weak screenplay.This is a boring and repetitive film and I do not recommend it.I wish Fawcett will find a good screenplay with his new movie because his work as a director can be extraordinary,as we have seen in Ginger Snaps.