Darklands (1996)

Julian Richards "Darklands" is a modern cult thriller-noir that plays on classic misbeliefs of Celts, pagans and gypsies based on common misconceptions that run through European society (not that the Americas are exempt from such poor quality judgment of cultural differences). The movie is a traditional display of western giallo film making and "Darklands" is as good an example of cult-pagan genre storytelling than contemporary films such as "Spellbinder" and "The Wicker Man". The story follows journalist Frazer Truick as he investigates the mysterious death of the brother of trainee journalist Rachel Morris. Delving deeper, Truick becomes convinced that the tragedy was murder, committed by a bizarre religious cult. But as the evidence unfolds, things take on a more sinister and potentially lethal significance for the reporter, as he becomes embroiled in devil worship, witchcraft and ultimately human sacrifice! (That is the official synopsis).For me this film is a captivating crime thriller and great example of 20th Century noir. The story is plays on mystery, intrigue and suspense in a classic style that is often associated with Italian giallo-most notably Argento's work. Even with the very obvious culture insensitivity that plagues the film, "Darkland" is a very interesting and mesmerizing story that slowly builds suspense through melodrama and eerie atmospheric effects. I did find the view of pagans, Celts and gypsies as some humanized boogeymen wrought with villainous intent a tad offensive, but in proper context as a fictional setting it is easy to swallow.The sound effects and cinematography used for "Darkland" is traditional 80's and 90's creepiness one expects in these suspenseful stories. The characters are classic and mysterious, well developed if needed and never over-indulged to the point of annoyance. Visually the film entertains with moments of post-industrial, neo-primal experimental theatrics that creates a wild urban paganism aesthetics. Usually these images are saved for post-apocalyptic or future-dystopia films. The witchcraft, or primitive traditional religious elements where minimal but when on screen became very effective. Mostly this is a great conspiracy, crime noir. "Darklands" is a very cool, classic cult thriller that offers a great witchy story, and plenty of suspense. The blood and gore is almost non-existent which was a bit of a bummer but over-all I enjoyed the film.

There is simply nothing to redeem this awful rip off of the wicker man. While other commentators seem to feel overly kind in that they mention it being similar, it was clearly an unashamed copy without the style or intellect. The pacing is terrible. the acting rotten (poor Jon Finch being the exception) and the directing haphazard.Failing at both intrigue and suspense, this so called horror simply becomes a waste of two hours of your life. Watching it will make you feel that A) you've seen the ideas done better before somewhere else and B) that if this film got the green light you and a few mates could probably get drunk with a cell phone and do a better job. You would be 100% correct in both assumptions.

WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS (Like it matters…..)This film tried so hard to be ‘The Wicker Man for the Millenium' and failed on so many levels. I must admit, I watched it while I was fairly caned on very late night T.V, but it was still stupid. Craig Fairbrass (who you will recognise as Dan from eastenders or that annoying British ‘Heavy' from cliff hanger) is atrocious as the be mulleted reporter who gets up to the kind of things only American Reporters (in films) seem to get up to. And he only works for a local welsh paper………This is basically The Wicker Man lite. Everything screams ‘made for t.v', the (bad) gore and violence, the spectacularly unsexy sex scenes and the casting of the welsh as either tramps or occultists.The most annoying thing about this piece of poo, though, is the ending. Basically, it transpires that Dan from eastenders whole life has been pre-ordained. He was a special baby and he must also make special babies. These special babies get sacrificed every so often to a pretty non specific deity. WHY? What do these people get out of it? What is the reason for this elaborate pantomime? There is never any reason for these human sacrifices other than that they just seemed to feel like it. So why all the ‘First full moon of the new equinox' type jive? There is no point. I felt so cheated. As the film finished I thought ‘is that it?' Why the hell did they mess about for days on end? Why did they need him to be at the right place at the right time, if there was not going to be any sort of ‘supernatural' reward. They were just like a load of bloodthirsty masons. Utter…well I cant say the word, so fill in the blanks……..Utter ______

This is a made-for-tv production masquerading as a film. Whilst applauding the director's obvious homage to the spirit of 'the Wicker Man', his film is a travesty and just highlights what a classic Shaffer's original is. Richards' deserves some credit for trying to create his own plot whilst attempting to recreate a similar atmosphere, but the sex scenes are laughable and some of the acting wooden. I only hope the director of the much criticised 'Blair Witch 2' takes note; he is hoping to re-make the Wicker Man in a US setting and if indeed this is the case, he is on to a hiding to nothing.