One may well take note of the several very recognizable names and faces to appear here; the cast is nothing to sneeze at, and filmmaker Don Sharp has some noteworthy credits of his own. Be that as it may, I'm more pleased with the nervous energy and atmosphere of unease that the feature ably manifests. Strange goings-on, paired with superb art direction and a splendid filming location, serve to activate that instinctual alert to Something Wrong while simultaneously cultivating an able-bodied mystery, and a story where there is clearly some underhanded scheming at hand. Wilfred Josephs' original score isn't wholly remarkable in and of itself but very capably lends to that ambience, and his own way Teddy Darvas' keen editing also contributes in select instances as the narrative ducks and weaves. Moreover, that commendable cast certainly contributes just as much to those airs. Of them all I'm least familiar with Robert Hardy, starring as our protagonist, yet he arguably outshines Herbert Lom, Jane Birkin, Jean Marsh, Joan Collins, and even Christopher Lee as his portrayal of an increasingly troubled, beleaguered man is marked with a range of intense emotions.
All that's to say nothing of how dark and haunting the story proves to be as it advances. 'Dark places' doesn't make a major impression at first; I'll freely admit my mind wandered a tad at the start. I don't think it's unfair to argue that it somewhat leans on its atmosphere for a fair bit of its length to help carry the day as the narrative threads progress. Yet Ed Brennan and Joseph Van Winkle penned a fabulously smart, engaging tale that in due course begins to rise to the fore amidst all those other elements that have caught our attention early on. The source of the horror shifts slightly over the runtime, but make no mistake that it's firm and meaningful, and surely leaves its mark. The scene writing is terrifically bright and adaptable, at once laying the foundation for the overarching, dispiriting disquiet while propelling the narrative, and twisting in time to allow the plot to take prominence once all the building blocks have been laid in. The characters are rich and vibrant, fertile ground for the seeds that the actors nurture, grow, and explore as they will, and even the dialogue is unexpectedly impactful as the course of events marches onward.
There are a few different flavors to present over these ninety minutes, from the dour mood of the creepy house, to suggestions of supernatural occurrences. The bread and butter of the tale proves more and more to be in a sly psychological facet, however, as protagonist Edward is overcome by the totality of the events. Above all, as the saga of murder and madness climbs toward a crescendo in the latter half, there are notes of profound, terrible tragedy in multiple capacities that give form to a sense of horror that's deeper, more disturbing, and more lasting than the more conventional aspects. It's a tremendous credit to Sharp as director that he is able to so shrewdly manage these component parts, providing balance and ensuring that all in turn is allowed to serve its purpose. It bears repeating that the picture doesn't sound like anything special from the outside looking in, and it is initially somewhat meager at the outset. Our patience bears immense reward, however, and at length I'm all so pleased with how enjoyable, absorbing, and well made 'Dark places' is. I'd stop short of saying it's perfect, for there are occasional embellishments that feel unnecessary, and the very, very end feels a tad too neat and clean. The value this boasts speaks for itself, however, far outweighing any faults. As a matter of personal preference it won't appeal to all, and again, there's no disputing that it starts slow. For those viewers who are receptive to the more wily and underhanded side of horror, however, and willing to wait for a movie to work its magic in its own time, this is well worth seeking out. I, for one, am very happy with just how good this 1974 flick turned out to be, and I'm glad to give it my high and hearty recommendation!
All that's to say nothing of how dark and haunting the story proves to be as it advances. 'Dark places' doesn't make a major impression at first; I'll freely admit my mind wandered a tad at the start. I don't think it's unfair to argue that it somewhat leans on its atmosphere for a fair bit of its length to help carry the day as the narrative threads progress. Yet Ed Brennan and Joseph Van Winkle penned a fabulously smart, engaging tale that in due course begins to rise to the fore amidst all those other elements that have caught our attention early on. The source of the horror shifts slightly over the runtime, but make no mistake that it's firm and meaningful, and surely leaves its mark. The scene writing is terrifically bright and adaptable, at once laying the foundation for the overarching, dispiriting disquiet while propelling the narrative, and twisting in time to allow the plot to take prominence once all the building blocks have been laid in. The characters are rich and vibrant, fertile ground for the seeds that the actors nurture, grow, and explore as they will, and even the dialogue is unexpectedly impactful as the course of events marches onward.
There are a few different flavors to present over these ninety minutes, from the dour mood of the creepy house, to suggestions of supernatural occurrences. The bread and butter of the tale proves more and more to be in a sly psychological facet, however, as protagonist Edward is overcome by the totality of the events. Above all, as the saga of murder and madness climbs toward a crescendo in the latter half, there are notes of profound, terrible tragedy in multiple capacities that give form to a sense of horror that's deeper, more disturbing, and more lasting than the more conventional aspects. It's a tremendous credit to Sharp as director that he is able to so shrewdly manage these component parts, providing balance and ensuring that all in turn is allowed to serve its purpose. It bears repeating that the picture doesn't sound like anything special from the outside looking in, and it is initially somewhat meager at the outset. Our patience bears immense reward, however, and at length I'm all so pleased with how enjoyable, absorbing, and well made 'Dark places' is. I'd stop short of saying it's perfect, for there are occasional embellishments that feel unnecessary, and the very, very end feels a tad too neat and clean. The value this boasts speaks for itself, however, far outweighing any faults. As a matter of personal preference it won't appeal to all, and again, there's no disputing that it starts slow. For those viewers who are receptive to the more wily and underhanded side of horror, however, and willing to wait for a movie to work its magic in its own time, this is well worth seeking out. I, for one, am very happy with just how good this 1974 flick turned out to be, and I'm glad to give it my high and hearty recommendation!