Master of Dark Shadows (2019) User Reviews

The shadows are dark that much is clear

[kosmasp · 9/10 · 31 October 2019]

Now I have to admit one thing at the beginning: I've never seen the original TV show (yet). So when I watched the documentary I might not have the same relationship to it, than others will have. And yet still, I was more than entertained. Almost everyone involved in the making of Dark Shadows is part of the movie. And while it is an overall look at Dan Curtis, it does concentrate on his Dark Shadows creation.

So even for me, I had quite a lot of fun, while I probably missed some inside jokes. But clips from the show are shown and you get the jist of it. Also editing wise, this goes down the timeline as it "happened" chronologically speaking. If you like documentaries in general or are a fan of the show I can only recommend this!

Nice tribute to Dan Curtis.

[keepitreal60 · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

Keen DVD on the beloved Dark Shadows. Wow was Dan Curtis driven he will never be forgotten, Dark Shadows gave such depth to my teen years. A special DVD.

Affectionate tribute to a big presence

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 9 September 2020]

MASTER OF DARK SHADOWS is a tribute documentary to the late Dan Curtis, mainly focusing on his most famous piece of work and featuring extensive interview clips with surviving cast and crew members from DARK SHADOWS and ABC alongside family members. Even the long-deceased likes of Curtis and Jonathan Frid make guest appearances via older interview footage mixed seamlessly with the new stuff. Inevitably a wealth of clips from DARK SHADOWS feature predominantly here, a 'blooper reel' proving a particular highlight, and it's all very affectionate and exploratory.

A Great Documentary For Anyone Obsessed With Dark Shadows!!!

[Pumpkin_Man · 10/10 · 22 July 2019]

I've loved this show for the last 7 years. I got into it in 2012, right after seeing Tim Burton's adaptation of it. I was intrigued, so I wanted to give the show a try, and I'm glad I did. I finished the whole series in 2013, and I'm now re-watching it again, and today, I finally watched this documentary.

There might be some spoilers in this review! It's absolutely wonderful and very informative about Dan Curtis and how Dark Shadows came to be. You see the kind of man he was, what inspired him to create the show, how the show was almost cancelled, how Barnabas Collins made Dark Shadows great again, all the fan mail, the peak of its popularity, appearances on game shows and parades, and Dan's work after Dark Shadows ended.

It also has some great special features, like an old episode of a 1950's show called 'The Web' where the episode has strong similarities to a story arc on the show about Elizabeth Stoddard never leaving the house, and Jason Maguire blackmailing her, and Jonathan Frid dressing up as Barnabas at the White House on Halloween 1969 for Richard Nixon's daughter! 7 years later, and this show still intrigues me!

If you absolutely love anything Dark Shadows, I highly recommend MASTER OF DARK SHADOWS!!!

Amazing!

[BandSAboutMovies · 10/10 · 22 March 2020]

We've gone on - and will this entire week - about Dan Curtis and Dark Shadows. Finally, this movie - director by David Gregory, one of the co-founders of Severin Films - is here to tell the story of the creative power that was such a part of American TV horror in the 1970's. Beyond Dark Shadows, Curtis was known for The Night Stalker, Trilogy of Terror and Burnt Offerings before his two mini-series The Winds of War and War & Remembrance earned rave reviews, won multiple awards and dominated the ratings.

Narrated by Ian McShane, this film has reflections by the late Curtis, along with many of the people who worked with him closest and his family. Look for Dark Shadows stars Jonathan Frid, John Karlen, James Storm, David Selby, Roger Davis, Marie Wallace, Chris Pennock, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker, Nancy Barrett and Jerry Lacy, along with Ben Cross from the 1990's series. And Whoppi Goldberg shows up to share what Dark Shadows meant to her, along with Barbara Steele, who co-produced The Winds of War and War & Remembrance with Curtis.

The DVD, which you can get from MPI Home Video, also has an extra where Jonathan Frid dresses up as Barnabas to attend the White House on Halloween 1969 for Richard Nixon's daughter!

This is a must-watch and the perfect primer - or review - for all things Curtis.

Dan Curtis , failed TV show saved by daughters, destroyed by himself

[G_P_ · 2/10 · 23 October 2021]

Dark Shadows, Dan Curtis' initial idea was a failure, given 4 weeks notice for cancellation. His young children gave him the suggestion to introduce a Vampire in the soap. Then Dan threatened John Frid to be in yet a 2nd movie about the series, "Night of Dark Shadows", fearing he would be permanently typecast John refused. Dan had ABC executive, Brandon Stoddard, not renew Mr. Frid's contract. A very brief time later the Network cancelled the long standing TV series "Dark Shadows."