Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

Although unavailable for decades, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK has to be one of the best remembered US TV movie horrors of the 1970s, up there with the likes of DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW. Nowadays an insipid remake hasn't put off the scores of fans who were traumatised by this film's scares when they first saw it as kids back in the day.The story is a simple 'haunted house' horror yarn about a married couple who move into a new abode. The wife becomes quietly obsessed with the blocked-up fireplace and grate in the basement, and sets about opening them up despite warnings not to meddle. Soon she finds herself assailed by miniature critters with designs on her very soul.I'd never seen this before so had no idea what to expect, but I was impressed with this TV movie's atmosphere, which is more oppressive and horrific than many a big-bucks Hollywood production of the era. In many ways it's an old fashioned production in which the scares are more subtle than in something like THE AMITYVILLE HORROR with its in-your-face fright sequences.The acting is fairly middling, with the exception of Kim Darby who puts her all into the role of the frightened housewife. The direction and cinematography are fine. The only problem lies with the creatures themselves, one of whom is played by Felix Silla (of BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY fame). We see far too much of them as the film progresses, and the fact they talk in drawling US accents means that they're not frightening in the least. They should have spoken inarticulately, in hisses or grunts, and they should have been kept in the shadows until the final reveal. Less would have definitely been more in this case.

Made for TV movie from the 70's about to get a glossy makeover. For a TV movie, this is wonderful stuff. They keep the number of characters low, use just a handful of settings, and concentrate on developing a twisted little atmosphere. It was complete in 2 weeks, but you could never tell. The little creatures are eerie and original without being comical. Things are whispered, things are moved, people are attacked, but it carries it off by keeping most things low key. The use of simple panning shots and quiet editing, makes it a film that builds tension with ease. If you are open to less obvious horror, with a love of practical effects, you should find a lot in this mini-treat.

I was surprised this was a made for TV movie. As a child I was a Fangoria magazine reader and loved horror movies and Halloween was and still is my favorite 'Holiday'. Even as an adult, when people tried to scare me, I would not flinch a millimeter and drove them crazy. THIS movie was the only 1 of 2 movies I can ever remember to 'scare' me as a child. For those who have watched it and remember the centerpiece fright, that was one that got me (do not consider this a spoiler because it in no way gives away what happened and at what time). My mother had a centerpiece on the table VERY similar to the one in the movie and I eyeballed that damned thing for a good year. I really cannot say this was a well made, high budget movie, but as a whole, it measure up perfectly in suspense, the actors did well (a lot better than remake, that's for sure) and I wound up getting the DVD, clear from overseas, just a few years ago. Debated on an 8, 9 or 10 rating before finally settling on a 10 based on 'when' it was made and not against everything SINCE then./if you wonder what the 'other' movie was that scared me, it was one of the 'Buried Alive' movies from this same era. The movie 'bothered' me actually more than scared me. The scare came from rolling out of bed w/o waking up, then rolling in under my bed and waking up, trying to sit up and slamming my head into cross boards and having the entire movie flood my head. Happened the NIGHT after I watched it.

This movie creeped me out for YEARS, I remember making mental plans to keep them away when I was a kid. I remember for years I would think of this movie. When I saw the trailer for the new one It all flooded back, I could remember so much, I know I had to have seen it again to remember as much of it as I do. I want to see the new one but I am afraid it will be a disappointment I want to see this one again, Yes! OK AMC lets have it.It got under my skin and stayed there. Ahhh to watch a movie from a kids point of view again and be really scared.. Have a flashlight with you when you watch this one..