Dark Shadows: The Revival - The Complete Series (DVD, 3-Disc Set; Sensormatic)

I would consider the reival series "above-average" in quality, content, etc. But die-hard fans fueled by childhood memories of the original Dark Shadows Tv series will not find the revival series to live up to their expectations. The expensive production quality of the revival series just doesn't have the same sinister feel of the original raw 1960s production. Oddly, the extremely low-budget videotaped original series has an unusually disturbing realistic quality about it, which is what makes it still work even 40 years later.

The original series from the 60's was drawing room soap opera complete with stilted dialogue, wooden acting and extremely slow paced plotting. Due to the times, the series had limitations due to censorship and one should view each series as two completely different shows. The Revival in 1991 allow3ed more freedom lasting a mere half a season due to the Gulf War coverage and was was ill-timed. This is unfortunate. The episodes are all tightly plodded and each episode is a real cliff hanger. We have TV favorite Ben Cross as vampire Barnabas Collins. He is feral and wolf-like in his living dead guise and when he expresses love, it is dysfunctional and tortured. Half way through the series it flashes back 200 years and Barnabas before he is damned is still consumed with love for his Josette. Someone I have not seen until now, Joanna Going plays the governess to Collinwood, Victoria Winters who is a reincarnation of Josette. Her role of Josette and Victoria are nice contrasts and she manages to pull of a good performance. Another TV fav Roy Thinnes pays the family patriarch stoically to cover his inability and frustration to return to his painting. In flashback he plays the fanatical witchhunter Reverend Trask in overtly grotesque make-up and is a bit over the top. Cult horror movie queen Barbara Steele is a welcome sight to see again in a mainstream feature role after many years as Dr. Hoffman. Her appearance is too severe and she walks around with a terminal case of lockjaw. As Countess DuPree she wears a ridiculous moppet of curls and sports an equally inept French accent but is more lively in this role. Then the great Jean Simmons steals the show from ensemble cast As Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. She is self-assured and strong willed in sharp contrast to her alter ego in 17902 Naomi Collins the frightened and confused mistress of Collinwood. She has several great scenes filled with pathos, particularly when she sees her dead son Barnabas then reverts into madness. Under less-skilled hands, her character would be ludicrous. But you can't deny a class act. For those younger audiences who mistake the name for the Kiss rocker should delve into her past work to discover what an exceptional actress she is--one of Hollywood's last greatest icons.

In 12 short episodes the series does manage to tie up the loose ends which is nice. But you still beg for more. And again, you must judge both series individually on their own merits. The first had a class act with Joan Bennett, the Revival has another in Jean Simmons.

Great stuff delving into the realm of gothic evil. A must have.

After watching all 200 episodes of Dark Shadows and getting into it whole heartedly I was a little depressed when I wateched the last tape so I went ahead and ordered "The Revival", thinking no one could play Barnabas and Julia like Jonathan Frid and Grayson Hall. In my mind they're will only be one Barnabas and that's Jonathan Frid but I have to admit Ben Cross did an excellent job with the role. He was able to portray Barnabas's soft side and turn around on a dime to be the ruthless vampire the part demanded. Another pleasant suprise was the special effects in this series that made it more believeable not to mention the passion and romance that was in the original series but not to the degree of "The Revival" it was almost as if "The Revival" brought a new element into the series. "The Revival" follows the story line but with out as much detail as the original soap opra. The editing was definately better, apparently Dan Curtis did not know the meaning of the word "CUT" back in the 60's. I thoroughly enjoyed the dvd's and am passing them around to friends and family.

Really loved the series. I enjoyed the plots. Brought me back to the 70's. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers.

This DVD is PERFECT. If you are a fan of the Original Dark Shadows....just wait til you see this!!! It was a shame this series did not continue because it was just an awesome series. The Gulf War coverage is why this series was cancelled. Only bad thing about this is when you have finished all three DVD's, It leaves you wanting more....and there is no more.
I already knew this because I watched back in day when it was being aired on television. This DVD set will keep you on edge of your seat.....and you will be wanting MORE....MORE....MORE!!!!!

Dark Shadows - The Complete Revival Series (2005, DVD)was a made for television series that had old Shadows fans glued to their screens in the 1990s for the premiere. It also created new fans, such as my friend, a woman too young to have seen the original 1968-71 series. The series was excellent in keeping with the old story lines, but providng an updated and fresh view of the series. The new Barnabas, played by Ben Cross, had a more "Dracula" feel than Jonathan Frid's original Barnabas character. The new Barnabas appears a bit more cold and cruel than his predecessor, and this may have been why the new series was so short-lived. Old Shadows fans came to sympathize with Frid's courtly and romantic manner as the self-loathing, reluctant vampire rather than Cross who comes across as more bitter and calculating. Still, Cross's portrayal was a pleasure to watch. Though many of the characters are played differently in this revival,not as campy in some roles, thank God, (I still liked John Karlen's "Willie Lumas" character better than the updated version), fans of the old Shadows series will not be disappointed, except that unlike the original, it ends much too soon. Excellent picture quality and special effects. Beware, this series may cause insomnia!

ive waited 20 years for this to come out to buy,I think its the best verson ever,its hard to stop watching it,you get hooked. Its a really good show. I wish it hadnt been canceled when it did.My daughter Loved it when she was little and still does.Im glad you had it to buy.Ive been waiting for it. Thank You

I loved this revival of the soap-opery Dark Shadows of the 1960's, and was thrilled when the miniseries started. I remember that it was on Monday nights, and I would rush home to watch it. I had taped every episode and watched them frequently over the years, and the tapes were beginning to show some wear. So, I was thrilled to find an affordable version of the DVD! I was amazed at how crisp the picture was - I actually noticed many things that I had not been able to detect with the poor picture quality of my tapes. The story is universal - a young man makes poor decisions and wants redemption (which coincidentally comes in the form of a young woman's love). There is time travel, mystery, a ghost, a witch, big, beautiful, spooky houses and wonderful scenery as well as a couple of love stories. I just wish it hadn't ended so soon!

Excellent series. Only thing wrong is a few of the episodes are missing. Better than the old series tho.

I love the fact that I order a product that is describe and receive as describe in the advertisement on ebay. I recieve the highest in service such as communication, fast in receive item, great condition (NEW) and excellent product. This is one of the collection that completed my Dark Shadows collections at home and I am a very satisfied customer. Thanks and keep up the good work!

I watched this show when I was a kid, and I absolutely loved it. It still has a little of the hokey *soap* feel...but all in all it is a great series. There are parts of the show that are so closely done to the movies and older shows. If you liked the old series, I recommend you check this one out. :)

Was looking for this TV show for a friend birthday found this at a great price and had never been opening. And it was shipped so fast that it got to me before his birthday.This is the tip of people we need sealing on ebay in this the time when people don't have a lot of money but steal need things.

I watched part of this show in the 90's and finally decided to watch the whole thing! I have absolutely NO REGRETS! Loved it! I got it BRAND NEW and it cost less than at the video store where I first saw it. I would do it again in a blink!

This is a revival of the original Dark Shadows Soap Opera from the late 1960's and the early 1970's. Unfortunately this series was not given a fair chance of survival in 1991. It was a very high-quality television show. Ben Cross was a strong and powerful Barnabas Collins. Unlike the original Barnabas played by Jonathon Frid who was truly uinsurpassable, Cross gives an unbelievable performance. The supporting cast is equally impressive. What a shame this series was cancelled after only 12 episodes yet these twelve will live on and should not be missed by true fans of Dark Shadows. It is definately worth the time and cost. Happy viewing!!! Chas

always been a fan of dark shadows and to buy the new version i watched on t.v
was looking at on amazon but glad to see it was here and cheaper.

in mint conditions. loved the series. they were just showing the whole series on the chiller network, but i wanted to see it without the comercial.s

I just love the old Dark shadows series and I miss the revival back in the day when NBC had air it. Thanks again

I got this because I was a fan of the original series.I have to say that I was pleasently surprised as to how good the remake was. Of course ,what made the original so good was that it was so "bad", the paper bats hanging from string,the actors fumbling with their lines,and of course DR. Hoffman.The new version is very professional and well done. I highly recommend this video.

Spooky, spooky and very spooky! And I love this series so much and even the old series was good! I couldn't wait to buy this DVD and watch it over and over again.

The series is an awesome vampire story containing family drama, love, loss, revenge, tragedy and triumph! It has it all. The storyline jumps back and forth between modern day and the 1790's. And the costumes are perfect for the historical scenes.

Barnabas (main character) is cursed into a vampire by a witch named Angelic in 1790 when he rejects her for the-love-of-his-life Josette. Unfortunately he loses Josette tragically, but then discovers a second chance when he is awakened from his tomb and meets modern-day Victoria (the reincarnation of Josette). However, again their way is paved with one disaster after another. And, of course, there is lots of neck-biting and death along the way.

This isn't a series I'd recommend for those younger than thirteen, simply because of the nature of the theme. However, I highly recommend it to Twilight lovers and for those who like vampire flicks.

My only complaint about the Dark Shadows Revival is that they cancelled it after the first season - due to a time conflict with the airing of the 90's Gulf War. It did, however, end much better than a lot series do.

I was never a fan of the original series (too young), but all my older sibs loved it. When they announced the revival in 1990, I was more than a little excited, especially given the difference in caliber of special effects, etc. While I was not dissappointed, unfortunately due to VCR malfunction, not to mention the first gulf war, starting the day before it debuted, I never actually saw the entire series. It has been rerun on the Sci-Fi Channel a couple of times, but never managed to catch all of it there either.

Cutting to the chase, I ordered it simply because I knew I wanted to see the entire thing from beginning to end, keeping in mind what I know now about the original series. I also basically forced my roommates into watching it too, and they loved it! It is truly great to watch, even if almost a little TOO gory for me.

The only thing I don't like about the entire situation is that the series was not picked up for continuation, so the cliffhanger ending remains just that, an unresolved cliffhanger. Even so, it's still a good watch, & heaven knows the acting is 1,000 TIMES better than in the original series.

Its a good clasic nice addition to my collection thank you /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

All in the family watched it twice. Too bad it didn't continue to find out what happened to Barnabas when Victoria came back from the past. Still in all we loved it.

I decided to buy this product because I remember watching the series back in the days, but at that time, missed a couple of episodes...because it kept changing airing time. And my thoughts were that it was an awesome serie, and 17 years (is that possible?), I still like it, and it's still awesome, especially now that I've watched the whole thing in just a weekend.
No dislikes, 2 thumbs up !!!